Nanaimo, BC – Vancouver Island University (VIU) is gearing up to host an island-wide construction and trades skills competition that will bring together students from across Vancouver Island. The upcoming event, part of the Skills Canada BC regional competitions, will see hundreds of high school students converging on VIU’s Nanaimo campus on March 6 to showcase their talents in various trades. VIU is playing a leading role in organizing the competition, underscoring the university’s commitment to supporting Vancouver Island trades education and addressing the growing demand for skilled workers in the region.
VIU’s Role in a Hands-On Trades Showcase
As the host venue, VIU is providing its state-of-the-art trades training facilities and staff expertise to run the multi-faceted competition. Students will compete in categories ranging from carpentry and automotive repair to welding and hairdressing. A portion of the event focusing on digital skills like 2D and 3D animation will take place at Dover Bay Secondary School in Nanaimo, running in tandem with VIU’s on-campus contests. Notably, the four main trade categories featured at VIU’s campus are automotive, carpentry, hairdressing, and welding – core skills that feed directly into the construction and service industries.
VIU’s involvement goes beyond just hosting duties. Many of the university’s trades instructors and students will be on hand to facilitate the events and mentor the participants. VIU trades programs offer a range of trades and apprenticeship training, making the competition a natural extension of its mission to develop skilled professionals. “Events like this help engage our youth and get them excited in a career that will not only help offset current and pending labour shortages, but it will also provide them with a meaningful career,” noted Glynis Steen, VIU’s Associate Dean of Trades and Technology.
Significance for Students and the Community
Local students stand to benefit enormously from the competition. For many high schoolers, this event is a chance to apply their classroom learning in a high-pressure, real-world scenario. They’ll have a platform to showcase their skills in front of peers, instructors, and industry observers, gaining confidence and recognition for their abilities. Top performers will earn medals and the opportunity to advance to the provincial Skills Canada competition in Abbotsford on April 16, and potentially to the national championships in Regina in late May.
The broader Vancouver Island community also benefits. Events like this foster a culture that values vocational and technical skills, highlighting the contributions tradespeople make to society. By showcasing opportunities in construction, automotive repair, and more, the event helps combat stigmas around trades careers while reinforcing their importance in the local economy.
Skilled Labor Demand on Vancouver Island
The timing of VIU’s construction and trades competition is significant, as the skilled labor demand on Vancouver Island has never been higher. A construction boom in the Nanaimo area and beyond has created a surge in construction jobs on Vancouver Island, but contractors are struggling to fill positions. A recent industry survey found that 77% of Vancouver Island construction companies report they are short of workers, even as a third of companies expect to take on more projects this year.
Industry experts say multiple factors contribute to the shortfall of qualified tradespeople, including retirements, workers relocating out of the province, and not enough new entrants to the field. The Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA) estimates that the region faces a shortage of 7,000 to 10,000 skilled workers needed to meet demand. “We’re not seeing the same number of people coming in, and we could use more young people joining the trade,” said VICA CEO Rory Kulmala. The challenge now is encouraging more young people to pursue trades careers.
The Cowichan Hospital Project and the Need for More Tradespeople
One of the key drivers of the growing demand for skilled trades in the region is the construction of the new Cowichan District Hospital. This $1.45 billion project, set to replace the aging hospital infrastructure, is creating hundreds of jobs in trades such as carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. The hospital’s construction is a multi-year endeavor, requiring a steady workforce to keep the project on schedule. However, with the ongoing skilled labour shortage, there are concerns about whether enough trained workers will be available to meet demand. Encouraging more young people to pursue careers in construction through events like the VIU competition can help ensure that large-scale infrastructure projects like the Cowichan hospital move forward without costly delays.
Building Careers and Supporting Local Business
Events like the VIU-hosted competition are part of the solution to Vancouver Island’s skilled labor shortage. By sparking students’ interest early and giving them a tangible goal to strive for, these competitions serve as a springboard into trades careers. Many participants will go on to enroll in VIU trades programs or similar courses after high school, entering Vancouver Island apprenticeship programs that combine classroom learning with on-the-job training.
Strengthening this talent pipeline has direct benefits for local businesses. Small and mid-sized construction firms on Vancouver Island rely on a steady supply of trained workers to complete projects. Delays due to labor shortages can impact everything from home renovations in Nanaimo to large-scale commercial builds in Victoria. The Nanaimo construction industry is booming, and having skilled graduates ready to step into apprenticeships means projects can move forward without costly setbacks.
As Vancouver Island looks ahead to ambitious development goals, the need for qualified tradespeople will only continue to grow. The upcoming competition at VIU not only celebrates the achievements of local students in trades and technology, but also plays a part in addressing the skilled labour shortage by inspiring the next generation. For students participating, it’s more than a contest; it’s the first step in a promising career. And for the broader community, it’s a sign of hope that through education and engagement, the Island can cultivate the home-grown talent required to build a stronger future.