B.C. university gets trades training boost, adds 462 seats

SURREY — Another 462 skilled-trades training seats are being added at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Surrey, B.C., this year to prepare people to become plumbers, millwrights and electricians.

The move bumps that number of trade seats at the university to more than 1,700 and Post-Secondary Education Minister Jessie Sunner says it means spots will be ready for students rather than them sitting on wait-lists.

The new training spots are part of $241 million promised over the next three years, which the provincial government says will create 5,000 new skilled-trades training seats in 2026-27.

Premier David Eby says B.C. has about $88 billion in potential investment waiting final decisions in the next two years.

He says projects in sectors like energy or port expansion will need skilled trades people.

Mike Mann, chair of the electrical department at the university, says the investment creates opportunities for students who want to build rewarding careers.

“As an instructor, one of the hardest conversations is telling someone who’s ready to start that there just isn’t a seat available. Thanks to today’s announcement, we’ll have to have that conversation a lot less,” he said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 28, 2026