Summary

• Through the Province’s Look West strategy, the government is investing $241 million over three years to train British Columbians for in-demand jobs
• Government will:
  • fund up to 5,000 new trades training seats
  • cut waitlists for in-demand trades programs
  • increase per-seat funding across apprenticeship programs
  • better connect training with employer needs and expand access throughout the province

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Thousands of people will benefit from B.C.’s $241-million investment in skilled trades training, expanding access to good-paying jobs for people in British Columbia, while ensuring employers have workers to deliver major projects.

“Growing B.C.’s economy means making sure British Columbians are first in line for the opportunities created by the billions in investment arriving in our province,” said Premier David Eby. “We are expanding training capacity where it’s needed most and helping people get into rewarding trades careers faster, while also building up B.C.’s economy.”

Expanding skilled trades training capacity and reducing waitlists

Through Look West, the Province is strengthening B.C.’s trades-training system to respond to growing labour demand and global economic uncertainty. The $241-million investment will immediately expand training where capacity exists and modernize programs to keep pace with industry needs. As the funding rolls over the next three years, there will be tens of thousands more trades seats across B.C.’s training institutions. The investment will:

• double annual funding to SkilledTradesBC from $107 million to $214 million by 2028-29
• create as many as 5,000 new trades training seats in 2026 at public post-secondary institutions and non-profit union trainers, helping more people enter training and move onto job sites sooner
• reduce wait lists for high-demand trades by expanding program capacity
• increase per-seat funding across apprenticeship programs that lead to SkilledTradesBC credentials, helping trainers manage rising costs for equipment, curriculum and instruction
• establish the Look West: Workforce Readiness Initiative, a strategy designed to improve access to training in rural and remote communities, which responds directly to employer needs
• expand skilled trades certification, starting with tower and mobile crane operators

Building a stronger economy

Demand for skilled trades workers is increasing as major projects are underway throughout British Columbia. An estimated $88 billion in major projects is proposed over the next three years, including 17 projects added to the Province’s priority major projects list. The projects are expected to create tens of thousands of jobs in construction, clean energy, critical minerals, marine and transportation sectors.

By doubling annual funding to SkilledTradesBC and increasing training delivery, the investment lays the foundation for sustained growth in trades training, with the first 5,000 new seats in 2026-27 being the beginning of continued expansion over the next three years. The investment is focused on ensuring people in British Columbia are ready to fill the jobs, while supporting a stronger and more resilient economy and positioning B.C. as Canada’s leading economic engine.

“British Columbians are ready to build the homes, hospitals, clean energy and major projects that will strengthen the economy,” said Jessie Sunner, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. “The jobs are here and the talent is here, and we’re making sure with 5,000 new training seats in the first year alone, that people in B.C. are first in line to secure these good-paying, family supporting jobs.”

To ensure B.C.’s trades-training system responds to the needs of people, businesses and communities, the strategy was developed in collaboration with post-secondary institutions, industry associations and the BC Building Trades. The partnerships support a more flexible and responsive training system aligned with Look West priorities and help connect people to good-paying, in-demand trades jobs needed to deliver major projects.

“This is a transformational investment in trades training in British Columbia,” said Brynn Bourke, executive director, BC Building Trades. “As the largest sponsor of apprentices in British Columbia and representing over a dozen different union training schools, the BC Building Trades knows firsthand how important this money is for the system. These investments will help expand opportunities for apprentices, strengthen training capacity and ensure the next generation of skilled tradespeople can meet the growing demands of our province’s economy and infrastructure projects.”

Aligned with the Look West economic strategy, the investment supports major project delivery, strengthens B.C.’s economic resilience and helps keep good-paying jobs.

Quotes:

Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth –

“Through Look West, we’re expanding skills and trades training so British Columbians are ready for the opportunities ahead. With $88 billion in major projects possibly creating tens of thousands of good jobs, we’re making sure people in B.C. are first in line for better‑paying, more secure work, while growing our economy and building long‑term prosperity across the province.”

Shelley Gray, CEO, SkilledTradesBC –

“This investment further strengthens B.C.’s trades-training system by expanding access to apprenticeship and supporting training providers to deliver high-quality trades programs across the province. SkilledTradesBC remains committed to working with industry and training partners to connect more British Columbians with in-demand careers and support the province’s long-term workforce needs.”

Jordan Falk, program manager, UA Piping Industry College of BC –

“This investment means we can open more seats and expand our program offerings to meet the growing demand for skilled piping tradespeople across British Columbia. For too long, qualified applicants have faced wait lists that delay their careers and leave employers short-handed, this funding changes that. With expanded capacity, we can get more people trained and onto job sites sooner, building rewarding careers, while supporting the major projects our province depends on.”

Learn More:

• To learn more about Look West: Jobs and Prosperity for a Stronger BC and Canada, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/LookWest
• To read about the Look West skilled trades investment, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025PSFS0052-001123
• To learn about the updates to Look West, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2026PREM0020-000479
• To learn more about skilled trades training and opportunities, go to: strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/skilled-trades-training/

A backgrounder follows.