May 6, 2021 - 11:15am
WHAT: VIU Trades and Applied Technology Virtual Expo
WHEN: Thursday, May 27, 3 – 7 pm
WHERE: Online/Virtual
Trades and applied technology programs at Vancouver Island University (VIU) can help students enter rewarding, high-paying careers after as little as nine months of school.
Those interested in learning more about which careers may be a good fit can come to VIU’s first-ever, free Trades and Applied Technology Virtual Expo on May 27. The University has 17 different options to choose from, ranging from carpentry and heavy mechanical trades, to culinary arts and hairdressing, to office administration and information technology.
At the expo, prospective students will be able to connect with faculty in each program – and in some cases students as well – learn about funding opportunities (hint: students may be able to get their training partly or fully paid for!) and find out what it’s like to be a student at VIU. Students can also learn more about how trades programs are delivered at VIU’s Nanaimo, Cowichan and Powell River campuses. The event is hosted via Pheedloop, an online event platform that allows users to scan the different program booths and connect easily with those they want to engage with further, much like walking into an in-person conference room.
The idea for the event has been percolating for a year, after an in-person open house event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We had a lot of interest in the event that was scheduled for last spring, so we wanted to bring it back as soon as we could – which is being made possible this year thanks to some new virtual software,” says Jason Lloyd, Acting Associate Dean of the Faculty of Trades and Applied Technology. “Prospective students can check out all the programs in one place, connect one-on-one with faculty from those programs, view a live presentation, get their questions answered and learn more about VIU as a whole.”
Skilled trades and applied technology workers are expected to continue to be in high demand for at least the next decade. For example, the 2019 BC Labour Market Outlook forecasts more than 106,000 job openings over the next 10 years in trades, transport and equipment operator careers – more than 12% of total job openings and one of the top five areas for new openings.
In many programs, students can get paid as they continue their schooling through apprenticeship opportunities, says Lloyd. There are still seats available for programs starting in Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 and VIU staff will be available to walk people through the application process.
To learn more or register, visit the Expo’s Eventbrite homepage.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Jenn McGarrigle, External Communications Advisor, Vancouver Island University
C: 250.619.6860 | E: jenn.mcgarrigle@viu.ca
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