Students in the Automotive Service Technician program receive instruction from program chair Dean Cadieux. @viu.ca
NANAIMO – Vancouver Island University (VIU) has introduced a Newcomers to Canada program designed to help immigrants looking for a career in trades develop required skills.
The cohort-based bridging program starts in September, and will ensure that students will have the skills, knowledge and supports to successfully transition into the educational programs that will get them there.
The program, which is tuition-free thanks to a $1 million provincial investment, is a collaboration between VIU’s trades programs and the Faculty of Academic and Career Preparation.
BC’s Labour Market Outlook projects there will be more than 72,000 jobs open in the provincial construction industry in the next 10 years.
“There is a significant demand for skilled tradespeople. At the same time, there are not enough people to fill the positions that are available,” says Cameron Frenette, chair of VIU’s Carpentry program.
A trades background is not required to join the program., and content will weave together career and trade-specific English language training along with math and other necessary workplace skills and knowledge.
In the program, students will shadow different trades programs at VIU, including carpentry, electrical, baking, culinary and others depending on each student’s interests. They will also meet employers to get a sense of what working in different trades is like. Wraparound supports are available for students who decide they want to enter a full trades program at VIU.
“With Nanaimo growing in both size and diversity, many newcomers are flowing into the region with either a background in trades or skills that would lend themselves well to working in the trades in Canada,” says Darrell Harvey, VIU’s Trades Pathways Coordinator. “What we’re trying to do is bridge that gap to help newcomers find their way into these trades jobs.”
A second cohort opens in January. Each will be 15 weeks long, 15 hours per week, with classes taking place in the mornings. Harvey said the schedule was designed to recognize other commitments newcomers may have, such as a full or part-time jobs or childcare duties.
VIU is also working closely with community partners such as the Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society, Cowichan Intercultural Society, school districts and WorkBC to ensure newcomers know about this support.
Applications are now being accepted for the September intake.
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