Summary

• Construction is underway on three new facilities that are part of the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) trades and technology complex
• It includes the Robert Bosa Carpentry Pavilion, Marine and Mass Timber Pavilion, and Campus Services Centre
• The trades and technology complex multi-building expansion will train future trades and technology professionals, such as mass-timber construction specialists, and marine and steel fabricators, to meet the growing demand for skilled labour

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Construction has begun on the BCIT trades and technology complex, which will support the training of more students in high-demand skilled trades.

“We can’t build construction projects without the expertise and work of people in skilled trades,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure. “At a time of historic capital investment, this new complex will ensure we have people trained and prepared to deliver the infrastructure our communities need no matter what the challenges of tomorrow may bring.”

Building for the future

BCIT has begun construction on the first three facilities of the BCIT trades and technology complex at the Burnaby campus:

• The Robert Bosa Carpentry Pavilion, a net-zero-ready mass-timber building, will serve as a modern carpentry learning hub. It will also house the new mass timber construction training program.
• The Marine and Mass Timber Pavilion, a tall, open steel project space, will provide hands-on training in mass timber construction, marine fitting trades and steel construction.
• The Campus Services Centre, a two-storey mass-timber building, will bring administrative functions together in one, modern location.

“Modern training facilities make a real difference in how trades students learn and grow,” said Godfrey Reid, a Level 1 carpentry apprentice, BCIT. “The new BCIT Robert Bosa Carpentry Pavilion will combine cutting-edge technology with hands-on learning to prepare my peers and me as job-ready carpenters building the future of B.C.”

The fourth and final new building in the complex, the Concert Properties Centre for Trades and Technology, is expected to start construction in summer 2026. It will consolidate several trades programs into one location, providing a space for collaboration in skilled trades and engineering.

Work on the new complex will include restoring Guichon Creek by bringing it above ground so it can flow uncovered. This will serve as a new pedestrian greenspace through the heart of the Burnaby campus, as well as a living lab for students studying ecological restoration. This portion of the project will be completed on the same schedule as the Concert Properties Centre for Trades and Technology.

“BCIT’s trades and technology complex will give people the hands-on skills they need to take part in the major projects shaping our province and growing our economy,” said Jessie Sunner, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. “These modern facilities will train students for trades careers in key sectors like construction innovation and maritime, opening doors to stable, good-paying jobs and a stronger, more resilient B.C.”

Supporting trades education

The nearly $220-million project is funded by the Province, BCIT, the Government of Canada’s Green Construction through Wood program and through fundraising efforts from the BCIT Foundation, David Podmore, Concert Properties, Bosa Construction and other industry partners. This will give students the hands-on training they need to build B.C.’s skilled trades and technology workforce. The first three buildings are expected to be complete in 2027.

“As the largest trades-training provider in Western Canada, BCIT has long partnered with industry and government to deliver hands-on training that drives strategic workforce development and economic prosperity in our province,” said Jeff Zabudsky, president, BCIT. “The upcoming BCIT trades and technology complex exemplifies this strength. Through collaborative learning environments such as the Robert Bosa Carpentry Pavilion and the Marine and Mass Timber Pavilion, we continue to prepare students with the job-ready skills needed to build the homes and infrastructure that sustain communities across B.C.”

Expanding post-secondary education in B.C.

Since 2017, the Province has committed more than $4 billion in post-secondary education infrastructure:

• $2 billion for student housing, creating nearly 7,300 new student spaces in the province that are complete, with more underway
• more than $2 billion for other post-secondary campus infrastructure, including new campuses and specialty buildings

As the province grows, government remains committed to working with post-secondary institutions to support a skilled, future-ready workforce and economy.

Quotes:

Anne Kang, MLA for Burnaby-Centre –

 “Our communities grow stronger when they have the infrastructure and services they need. As the former minister for advanced education and skills training, I know first-hand how important skilled trades training is to our community and economy. I support skilled trades training, and this new complex ensures we can keep building the schools, hospitals and public spaces families rely on.”

Tim Hodgson, federal Minister of Energy and Natural Resources –

“Projects like this demonstrate how world-class Canadian wood products are key to the future of British Columbian and Canadian infrastructure: building new, affordable sustainable buildings while creating jobs and supporting our forestry industry. We are not just investing in modern training facilities, we’re investing in the next generation of workers that will build Canada Strong.”

Learn More:

• To read more about the project, visit: https://www.bcit.ca/campus-plan/trades-and-technology-complex/