British Columbia adds 462 skilled‑trades seats at Kwantlen Polytechnic University

The provincial government of British Columbia announced an investment of $241 million over the next three years to expand skilled‑trades education. 462 new training seats for plumbers, electricians, millwrights and other trades will be added at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Surrey, raising the university’s total capacity to more than 1,700 seats.

Premier David Eby said the expansion will help meet labour needs for upcoming infrastructure, housing and energy projects. Ministers Jessie Sunner and Jagrup Brar highlighted that the seats will reduce wait‑lists, support apprenticeships and prepare British Columbians for higher‑pay jobs. The initiative is part of the province’s Look West strategy and its goal of creating 5,000 new skilled‑trades training seats by 2026‑27.