The Government of British Columbia has announced 64 new trades training spots at Vancouver Island University (VIU) for the 2026/27 academic year, as part of the Look West economic strategy. Of these, 48 spots are for recreational vehicle technicians and 16 for carpenters.
Minister of Post-secondary Education and Future Skills Jessie Sunner made the announcement on July 24 at VIU’s Nanaimo campus, responding to industry demand for skilled workers. Jessie Chalmers, VIU interim dean of trades and applied technology, confirmed the 16 carpentry spots.
The ministry is investing 241 million Canadian dollars over three years in workforce training.