An additional 40 engineering diploma and certificate seats at Vancouver Island University will give more students access to the technical skills needed for good-paying jobs in the booming tech industry.

Canadians will be better equipped for the well-paying middle-class jobs of today and tomorrow with a $35.9-million federal-provincial investment in Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) new $39.9-million Health and Science Centre.

Canadians will be better equipped for the well-paying middle-class jobs of today and tomorrow with a $22.4 million investment at Vancouver Island University (VIU) to expand the Marine, Automotive and Trades Complex and create a District Geo-Exchange Energy System.

Trades students at Vancouver Island University (VIU) will benefit from hands-on learning opportunities through a new investment of $187,071 in industry-standard trades-training equipment, as well as $4.85 million in continued support for 1,366 trades seats.

An additional 96 trades seats will give Vancouver Island University (VIU) students access to training in a variety of in-demand occupations in a range of sectors that support the provincial economy.

Co-op students at Vancouver Island University and North Island College will benefit from $75,000 in one-time funding, part of a $1.3-million announcement to 16 public post-secondary institutions following the launch of Co-op Week celebrations.

Premier Christy Clark announced $100,000 towards business plans for a new automotive and marine repair facility and a new health and science centre in addition to a $1 million investment in information technology upgrades at Vancouver Island University.