Look West BC: British Columbia's Government adds 64 seats to Vancouver Island Universities' Nanaimo Campus
Government of British Columbia (July 24, 2026) (Victoria, British Columbia): The British Columbia's government will be expanding its skilled trades training seats in Nanaimo as part of its Look West strategy. Vancouver Island University (VIU) is going to be adding 64 seats in the Trades Applied Technology program (2026 - 27). British Columbia is expected to add 5,000 trades training seats in every region in 2026 - 27.
The government has plegged to invest $241 million over three years to train British Columbians for in-demand jobs. This annoucement will take seat available at Vancouver Island University to 1,550. The government expects to reduce wait lists for in-demand apprenticeship programs and introduce more young people to the trades and increase training capacity in high-demand occupations, including carpentry, welding, recreational vehicle service technicians and more.
Sheila Malcolmson (MLA for Nanaimo-Gabriola) has said, "I hear from families across the Nanaimo area who want their kids to be able to build a future here. These 64 new seats at VIU help make that possible. Every apprentice who trains at home is one more skilled worker ready for the projects driving our economy, and one more reason to stay and build a life here."
George Anderson (MLA Nanaimo-Lantzville) has said, "People in Nanaimo shouldn’t have to leave home to build a good future,” said George Anderson, MLA for Nanaimo-Lantzville. “More trades seats at VIU mean more young people can get the skills they need and find good-paying jobs right here in our community. That’s the real opportunity: the chance to build a career and life close to home."
Josie Osborne (MLA for Mid-Island Pacific Rim) has said, "Strong communities depend on a skilled workforce. Expanding trades training at Vancouver Island University will help more people build rewarding careers and support the services and infrastructure that people rely on everyday. Investments like these help strengthen our economy and create opportunities for future generations of people in B.C."
Dennis Johnson (Interim President and Vice Chancellor, Vancouver Island University) has said, "We’re grateful for the Province’s investment in skilled-trades education. These additional seats will help more people on Vancouver Island build rewarding careers in the skilled trades without needing to leave the region. By expanding access to high-demand programs, we’re helping develop the workforce our communities and employers need while creating more opportunities for people to build meaningful careers close to home."
Look West Strategy expanding skilled-trades training seats at Vancouver Island University (Nanaimo)
(Source: Flickr, Government of British Columbia)
Click here to read more about the latest at Gov BC News. Click here to explore more Trades & Applied Technology programs at Vancouver Island University.
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About Vancouver Island Univerisity
Vancouver Island University is publically funded university and research facility operating its three campus in Nanaimo, Cowichan & tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River) (Vancouver Island, British Columbia). The university empowers 13,000+ students each year, 1400+ international students from 83 countries, 1700+ Indigenous students, 100,000+ alumni in 160 countries and 2000+ faculty and staff members. The university was established Dominion-Provicial Youth Training Centre in 1936 which changed to Malaspina College in 1969 and then to Malaspina University in 1989. The university transitioned to Vancouver Island University in 2008.
Click here to read more about the Vancouver Island University. Click here to explore careers at Vancouver Island University. Click here to read the latest news from Vancouver Island University Newsroom.
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