‘We are expanding training capacity where it’s needed most’
British Columbia is investing $241 million over three years to expand skilled trades training, a move that will affect HR professionals responsible for recruiting and developing trades talent across the province.
The funding – part of the Look West economic strategy – will support up to 5,000 new trades training seats in 2026‑27 at public post‑secondary institutions and non‑profit union trainers, with additional growth planned at private trainers. The province says the investment will cut wait‑lists for in‑demand programs, increase per‑seat funding for apprenticeship training and better connect training with employer needs.
“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,” says 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.”
The government estimates $88 billion in proposed major projects over the next three years, including 17 projects added to its priority list. These projects are “expected to create tens of thousands of jobs in construction, clean energy, critical minerals, marine and transportation sectors”.
Annual funding to SkilledTradesBC will double from $107 million to $214 million by 2028‑29. The province says this will “lay the foundation for sustained growth in trades training,” with the initial 5,000 seats described as the start of further expansion over the following two years.
Regional expansion of training capacity
The government has outlined how new public post‑secondary seats will be distributed by region in 2026‑27, providing employers and HR departments with a clearer view of where local talent pipelines may strengthen.
Approximately 3,100 new trades training seats will be added at public post‑secondary institutions, as many as 1,000 at non‑profit union trainers and about 900 at private trainers in the first year of the investment.
Here’s a breakdown of post‑secondary seats distribution across regions:
The province notes that seat numbers reflect where apprentices receive classroom training and that employer locations may be in different regions, meaning regional apprentice and seat counts do not always align.
Stakeholder comments
Training providers and union leaders say the funding will help address long‑standing capacity issues that affect employers’ access to qualified workers.
“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,” said Shelley Gray, CEO of SkilledTradesBC. “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.”
Brynn Bourke, executive director of BC Building Trades, called the package “a transformational investment in trades training in British Columbia,” saying it 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.”
Front‑line providers say the measures will reduce wait‑lists that have delayed apprentices’ progress. “For too long, qualified applicants have faced wait lists that delay their careers and leave employers short‑handed, this funding changes that,” said Jordan Falk, program manager at UA Piping Industry College of BC. “With expanded capacity, we can get more people trained and onto job sites sooner.”
Recently, the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) welcomed Ottawa’s 2026 Spring Economic Update, which included a nationwide effort to recruit, train and hire 80,000–100,000 new skilled trade workers by 2030–31.
Here's a snapshot of the skilled trades shortage in British Columbia, drawing on provincial government data, federal sources, and industry think tanks:
