With over one million jobs set to open in BC in the next decade, according to the latest Labour Market Outlook Report, the need for skilled workers to fulfill the workforce gap is at an all-time high – particularly in the trades sector. As part of the Province’s new StrongerBC: Future Ready Action Plan, a new initiative called TradeUpBC will provide tradespeople with the education they need to further their skills.
TradeUpBC highlights pathways for tradespeople to advance their skills within the following 6 themes: Changes in Technology, Climate Change Impacts, Leadership Skill Development, Mentorship Training, Inclusive Workplace, Educator Training. These themes are designed to help tradespeople explore and navigate in-demand skills that will provide a competitive edge in today’s job market. Offered by various institutions across BC, including BCIT, these courses are beneficial for tradespeople looking to move to a higher position, or those wanting an opportunity to make a lateral move into another trade.
Here are some BCIT courses that can help upskill your trades career in these areas.
Changes in Technology: Adapt to new technologies and digitization
Automotive Electric Vehicle (EV) Technology and Service
As the only BC post-secondary with a provincial mandate for strategic workforce development, BCIT has been leading the charge for EVs in the past few years. The Electric Vehicle Technology and Service course is one of the many ways BCIT prepares Automotive Service Technicians (AST) to safely diagnose, service, and repair high-voltage EVs.
Climate change impacts: Respond to climate change job and skills impacts
Mass Timber Construction
Ensuring that construction professionals have the opportunity to upskill in their career, the Introductory Studies in Mass Timber Construction microcredential introduces students to the mass timber industry. In the course, students can expect to explore some of the fundamental features and tools associated with mass timber construction.
Mass timber is a category of wood-based building materials that uses timber, a sustainable and renewable material, as the main raw material for structural elements that are prefabricated off-site under controlled conditions. This industry is expected to grow in the near future due to mandates from the BC Government, as well as changes to the 2020 National Building Code of Canada. As a leader in mass timber usage, BCIT is proud to be supporting students in forging a greener environmental, economic, and social future.
Net-Zero and Passive House Construction
With Canada’s commitment to reducing 30% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, BCIT has been at the forefront in providing proficient building energy modeling education, such as with the BCIT Building Energy Modelling and Performance Analysis (BEMPA) advanced certificate program.
BCIT is also offering the Essentials for Net-Zero and Passive House Construction microcredential for individuals who want to gain the skills and knowledge to construct high-performance buildings that meet the BC Energy Step Code, Net-Zero Energy, and Passive House standards.
Leadership skill development: Develop business, managerial, and leadership skills
Communication for Team-based Collaboration
Catered for many trades, in an increasingly collaborative job market, the Communication for Team-based Collaboration course emphasizes the importance of collaborative skills and effective communication. Students in this course can expect to apply theoretical concepts of interprofessional collaboration, professional empathy, conflict resolution, and interpersonal communication in a team-based environment.
Automotive Service Management
Looking for a competitive edge? The Automotive Service Management course introduces students to the staffing, finances, marketing, and shop administration associated with the automotive service and repair industry. Upgrading technicians, career transitioners, service support staff, and those seeking general knowledge for a career in automotive management, are among the many students who would benefit from this course.
Mentorship training: Build mentorship skills to more effectively supervise apprentices
Supervising Net-Zero and Passive House Construction
Individuals in the construction industry, or those who have recently completed a construction-related program, and are looking to learn supervision skills can benefit from the Supervising Net-Zero and Passive House Construction Microcredential. This microcredential provides students with the skills and knowledge to supervise teams, large or small, in compliance with the performance requirements of BC Energy Step Code and Net-Zero Energy and Passive House standards.
Inclusive workplace: Enhance inclusivity and reconciliation in the workplace
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Fundamentals
Amidst a global reframing of value and rising expectations of progress on justice, climate-related goals, and a healthy, inclusive economy, the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Fundamentals Microcredential to provide tradespeople the opportunity to investigate the ESG impacts of their organization and develop improvements to build on what they are already doing well.
Educator training: Identify and support pathways to become an educator
Technical Communication Essentials microcredential
Successful organizations increasingly rely on the effective gathering, managing, conveying, and exchanging of substantial amounts of information. Become a better communicator by honing your skills in technical writing, technical editing, writing for the web, visual communication, data representation, and technical presentations through the Technical Communication Essentials microcredential.
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Start upskilling today
There is more to come! The official TradeUpBC website will launch in January 2024 and will include more offerings from partner post-secondary institutions across BC.