Students at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) will soon have access to 24,000-square-feet of teaching and shop space for their heavy-mechanical and farm-technology programs to meet the growing demands for trades in the community.

The $6.5-million project will accommodate UFV students in the heavy-mechanical foundation and apprentice programs at the Canada Education Park in Chilliwack. The new space will feature a large shop space, classrooms and offices. Part of the funding will also support the purchase of trades equipment such as an overhead crane. UFV will be providing $1 million towards the project with government providing the remainder.

A total of over $18.6 million in capital funding from the Province of British Columbia has already been directed and committed towards UFV since 2012-13. Projects include renovations to a variety of buildings in Abbotsford and Chilliwack, including $1 million for new facilities to house the Agriculture Centre of Excellence at the Canada Education Park at UFV.

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Nearly one million job openings are expected in British Columbia over the next decade, and eight out of 10 of these openings will require post-secondary education. In-demand occupations requiring post-secondary education or training range from professional to management to trades.

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Laurie Throness, MLA for Chilliwack, on behalf of Andrew Wilkinson, Minister of Advanced Education –

“The announcement today by our government of $5.5 million towards a new heavy-mechanical and farm-technology centre at UFV supports the local economy by providing skilled graduates who will work directly with industry right here in the Fraser Valley.”

John Martin, MLA for Chilliwack –

“The new mechanical and farm-technology centre will allow students to be able to complete their entire studies and apprenticeships all in one location and in their home community.”

Mark Evered, president of University of Fraser Valley –

“On behalf of all of us at UFV, I thank the B.C. government for this funding to expand the applied and technical training that is so vital to the success of our graduates and the industries these professionals will serve. It is a great investment in the economic development of our province, and we are pleased to be able to do our part.”

Gerald Tocher, First Truck Centre –

“This funding will attract many more young people into trades here in the Fraser Valley. This expansion provides additional room for equipment and further opportunities for young people to take foundation programs and to move into full apprenticeship programs. With a full heavy-duty mechanical-trade apprenticeship program available here in Chilliwack, there will be greater flexibility for students in this area and from around the province to get into the classes they need, when they are needed.”

Jamie McLellan, Heavy Mechanical trade foundation student at UFV –

“This funding means we'll be working on additional machinery that we'll see in the real world – so our first day on the job is not really our first day. This helps us with our training and takes us one step closer to making our dreams – for ourselves and our families - one step closer to reality."

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Quick Facts:

• Government is directly investing $1.032 billion in planned capital expenses in the post-secondary sector over the next three years (2017-18 to 2019-20)
• The Province of B.C. has invested or committed over $90.7 million in total capital expenditures to UFV since 2001.
• Government has invested more than $3.3 billion in capital and infrastructure projects at public post-secondary institutions in B.C. since 2001, with more than 1,900 capital projects throughout the province.

Learn More:

B.C. 2025 Labour Market Outlook: https://www.workbc.ca/Labour-Market-Industry/B-C-s-Economy/Reports.aspx

UFV: http://www.ufv.ca/