Trades continue to grow at new Vancouver Island University

While visiting Malaspina University-College recently to announce the transition to Vancouver Island University (VIU), Premier Gordon Campbell was very clear about his government’s commitment to maintaining a strong trades and applied technology focus at the new institution.

Despite Campbell’s reassurances, Malaspina staff have fielded numerous questions from community members who do not traditionally associate trades and technical training with a university.

“I want to reassure you that trades and technical education is alive and well and will continue to grow as we transition to a university,” said Fred MacDonald, Dean of Trades and Applied Technology at Malaspina. “Just recently, we received a funding commitment from the Industry Training Authority that will allow us to double our incoming class in the first year of our Electrical Program.”

Demand for electrical training at Malaspina has been incredible since the program opened in September 2007 and MacDonald says that demand will continue to grow in that program as well as the other trades programs offered.

“The new university designation will allow us to continue to expand trades and technical training across more disciplines and become more active in applied research,” said MacDonald. “That will help our region become more sustainable in the long term.”

Examples of this expansion across disciplines include the new Green Building and Renewable Energy Technician program and the Culinary Arts Diploma program. The Green Building program draws upon expertise of both Trades and Science department faculty members. The two year Culinary Arts Diploma recognizes that chef’s training doesn’t end in the kitchen, so Tourism and Hospitality faculty are addressing the challenging requirements for chef managers.

“Things are only getting bigger and better,” said MacDonald. “Vancouver Island University will continue to be a leader in trades and technical training.”