During the next three years, the Province will double trades-training funding through a $241-million fund earmarked to strengthen BC’s trades-training system
By Jessica Kirby
British Columbia has a record number of people registering as apprentices with nearly 50,000 registered apprenticeships and more than 11,000 high school participants in trades-related programs.
A $241-million investment from the government of BC, the first major upgrade in funding in over two decades, will increase per-seat funding for apprentice programs, allowing training providers to address waiting lists, ensure faster access to training, advance skilled-trades certification, and as opportunities evolve, ensure workers can move easily between industries.
Students and staff at the Sheet Metal Workers Training Centre will benefit from the funding, as it brings long-sought-after support to the school’s programming.
“We worked very hard over the last 25 years to restore funding for technical training in the province of BC,” says Jud Martell, training coordinator at SMWTC. “The announcement was a welcome message that this was going to be addressed. Of course, we were waiting to see how those monies would flow through SkilledTradesBC to the Sheet Metal Workers Training Centre Society.”
SkilledTradesBC oversees nearly 90 trades programs and funds nearly 28,000 apprenticeship and foundation-training seats at public, union, and private institutions.
Since 2017, seven trades have been introduced as skilled-trades certification trades, and nine more have been identified for future introduction, including tower- and mobile-crane operators.
“With this investment in skilled trades, we are not only investing to meet today’s needs, but we are laying the foundation for a thriving and prosperous future,” says Shelley Gray, CEO, SkilledTradesBC. “We are committed to ensuring more people in British Columbia can benefit from these well-paying, resilient and rewarding careers.”
BC Building Trades led the process of negotiating the new per seat funding for SkilledTradesBC designated not-for profit union training providers. Under this new funding agreement, SMWTC has developed a training plan for the next year (April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027) that will allow it to cautiously invest in the future of training, with expansion of its current sheet metal and architectural training to double capacity.
“We have hopes that the funding continues, as it promised, over the next three years and with that promise the Sheet Metal Industry Training Board can now explore completing the expansion of the Training Centres to meet the expected needs of our industry,” Martell says.
In the meantime, BC Building Trades remains committed to partnering with the province and to foster the next generation of skilled-trade workers.
“This funding will allow our joint board and union training schools to deliver on this and serve the needs of the industry,” says Brynn Bourke, executive director, BC Building Trades. “We welcome this historic investment in our trades-training system, and we look forward to partnering with the government to foster the next generation of skilled-trade workers.”
Collaboration with unions, industry, and post-secondary partners is central to building the programs and workforce necessary in BC.
“Enhancing access to quality trades programs across every region ensures more people in British Columbia can build their skills and move into well-paying jobs, which further strengthens the province’s workforce and economy, and helps communities thrive,” says Maggie Matear, president and CEO of Selkirk College, chair of Skilled Trades Training Council.
“We are grateful to the BC government for this economy-building investment in trades training, which will create more opportunities for students in northern and rural communities who wish to pursue trades careers close to home where they are in high demand,” says Laurie Waye, president and CEO, Coast Mountain College. “This investment is supporting the next generation of skilled tradespeople who will drive economic growth and innovation across the province.” ♣
