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- BCIT getting $162.6M investment for new trades and technology complex
BCIT getting $162.6M investment for new trades and technology complex
BCIT is getting an overall $162.6-million investment into its trades and technology complex at its Burnaby campus, including new and renovated facilities.
Of that, $136.6 million is coming from the BC government, with the rest coming from BCIT itself. The plans include a new four-storey Trades and Technology Centre.
“Showcasing BCIT’s unique approach to trades education, the purpose-built space will foster immersive, interdisciplinary collaboration between students in trades, technology, engineering, and architecture studies,” reads a news release on the technical institute’s website.
“It will combine workshops, simulation, a maker space, and a trades discovery centre.”
The development will also see a marine and mass timber workshop, a carpentry pavilion, and a campus services building constructed. And it will also involve the restoration of Guichon Creek.
“Investing in new trades training infrastructure at BCIT is a critical part of equipping students for the jobs of the future while supporting a clean, innovative economy,” said Anne Kang, minister of advanced education and skills training and Burnaby-Deer Lake MLA, in a written statement.
“The new Trades and Technology Complex will help ensure future students have access to the best tools, instruction and equipment needed to meet the demand for an estimated 85,000 new trades jobs expected over the next 10 years.”
In its news release, BCIT noted the development will play a role in BC’s efforts to train more skilled labour to address a labour shortage in the province. The announcement came on the same day that BC announced its StrongerBC economic plan.
“This leading-edge complex will showcase BCIT’s commitment to powering the province’s prosperity through applied education that empowers people and shapes BC for generations to come,” said BCIT president Kathy Kinloch.
In a separate statement, the Burnaby Board of Trade praised the move. And the board of trade, which touts itself as one of the largest chambers of commerce in the province, applauded the StrongerBC plan in general for its focus on skills training and addressing the labour shortage.
“We need to be laser-focused on addressing this skills and labour shortage. I’m pleased the government has placed skills training and education at the core of its plan, and making such an investment in Burnaby’s BCIT campus,” said BBoT president Paul Holden in a news release.