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Nanaimo-Lantzville MLA Says B.C.'s New $241M Trades Training Investment Gives Islanders a 'Life Close to Home'

On Friday, B.C. Minister of Post-secondary Education and Future Skills Jessie Sunner announced 64 new trades training spots at Vancouver Island University for 2026/27, supporting the provincial Look West economic strategy.
With over one million job openings projected over the next decade, the ministry is investing $241 million over three years to train workers, including 180,000 openings expected on Vancouver Island.
The RV training program began after local employers reported a lack of options, forcing students to travel to the Okanagan, according to VIU interim dean of trades and applied technology Jessie Chalmers.
Carpentry student McKenzie Morgan described the trade as "a good fusion of working with body as well as mind," and will apprentice at MacJac Construction upon program completion.
These additions bring total trade seats at VIU to 1,550, helping students build careers locally while supporting community initiatives like Jesse's House, which provides housing for families receiving care at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.

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Nanaimo-Lantzville MLA says B.C.'s new $241M trades training investment gives Islanders a 'life close to home'

Vancouver Island University will see 64 new trades training seats added this year as part of the province’s larger $241-million plan to get more skilled workers trained and onto in-demand job sites faster. The Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills announced the $241 million Look West plan Friday, with funds being distributed over the next three years. The ministry says plans to add 5,000 trades training seats across every B.C. r…

5 days ago·Victoria, Canada

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