News Stories
VIU supports newcomers to Canada pursue trades careers
August 11, 2023
The tuition-free program helps newcomers transition into trades education. Newcomers to Canada who want to pursue a career in the trades will get some extra help starting this September, thanks to a new program at Vancouver Island University (VIU). Called Trades Pathways for Newcomers, the cohort-based bridging program supports newcomers looking for a career in the trades by ensuring they have... Read more
VIU Aims to Fill a Shortage of Power Engineers
February 19, 2020
University rises to the challenge of meeting the demand for certified power engineers to sustain the power and energy needs of growing communities. Power engineers aren’t the most visible people in our workforce, but the reality is, the world can’t operate without them. “Without power engineers, life as we know it would be disrupted,” says David Babich, Vancouver Island University (VIU) Power... Read more
VIU and Camosun Initiative Supports Indigenous Trades Training
January 28, 2020
VIU and Camosun College partnership will create new career pathways in the trades for Indigenous Peoples. A new program sponsored by the Province of BC and the Industry Training Authority BC (ITA) will provide an opportunity for Indigenous students to explore career options in trades at Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Cowichan Campus and Camosun College. Camosun and VIU will receive almost... Read more
Removing Barriers to Online Learning for Trades Students
November 29, 2019
Examining Trades and Technical education learning and teaching in a digital age. Digital access to textbooks, lesson plans and research has been transforming the way people learn for the last two decades, but not across all disciplines equally. “Education changes lives,” says Sally Vinden Instructor in the Faculty of Trades and Applied Technology at Vancouver Island University (VIU). “As... Read more
Building Homes for a Nation
August 29, 2019
Malahat Nation is putting into action the “if you build it, they will come” concept through a partnership with Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) carpentry program. Since 2014, when George Harry Jr., Malahat Nation Chief, was a Foundations Carpentry student at VIU’s Cowichan campus, the university has partnered with Malahat Nation to build affordable housing on their land while offering... Read more
VIU's Refrigeration Mechanic Program Takes Training to the Next Level
April 4, 2018
University brings Level 3 training to Island for the first time A new offering in Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Refrigeration Air-Conditioning Mechanic (RACM) program is saving students thousands of dollars in travel and living costs and leading to better job opportunities. The program, which trains students to install, service and troubleshoot all aspects of residential, commercial and... Read more
Trade Students Show off Skills at National Competition
January 8, 2018
Culinary Management Diploma student Amanda Rizzo and Hairdressing student Leesy Ferguson got to show off how good they are with a whisk and a pair of scissors at the 2017 Skills Canada National Competition in Winnipeg. To get that far, the two students had to outperform dozens of the province’s best students at the Skills BC competition, held at the Abbotsford Tradex in April 2017. During... Read more