This article presents the demand in Skilled Trades and the various Trades Program that College of New Calendonia offers.

A career in skilled trades is one of the most attractive career paths with its high potential for earning. It also puts more emphasis on learning on the job and apprenticeships to master one’s trade, rather than spending several years in learning inside the classroom.

The College of New Caledonia is one of the premier colleges serving northern interior British Columbia. Its six campuses have been welcoming students from all walks of life, from around Canada and the world. The college’s strong focus on career development reflects the wide variety of Trade programs it offers. Currently, 22 Trades Programs are available that focus on solid foundational learning reinforced by practical and hands-on components.

• Trades Programs offered by CNC and location are as follows:Apprentice Automotive Service Technician – Prince George
• Apprentice Carpenter – Mackenzie, Prince George, Quesnel
• Apprentice Electrician – Prince George
• Apprentice Heavy Mechanical Trades – Prince George
• Apprentice Industrial Mechanic – Quesnel, Prince George
• Apprentice Metal Fabrication – Prince George
• Apprentice Motor Vehicle Body Repairer – Prince George
• Apprentice Pipe Trade – Prince George
• Apprentice Professional Cook – Prince George, Burns Lake
• Apprentice Welding – Prince George
• Automotive Service Technician – Prince George
• Carpenter – Quesnel, Prince George
• Electrical – Prince George
• Heavy Mechanical Trades – Prince George
• Industrial Mechanic – Quesnel, Prince George
• Metal Fabrication – Prince George
• Pipe Trade – Prince George, Mackenzie
• Power Engineering 3^rd Class – Prince George
• Power Engineering 4^th Class – Prince George
• Professional Cook – Prince George, Mackenzie
• Trades Discovery – Burns Lake, Fort St. James, Prince George, Vanderhoof
• Welding – Prince George

Trades Programs generally have a short delivery period, where the majority can be completed in 6 months or less and all programs not exceeding 1 year of learning. This means that students are ready to enter the job market and fill the demand for highly skilled trades workers.

Demand for Skilled Trades

British Columbia’s Labour Market Outlook 2018 highlights the expected job openings in the skilled trades in the coming decade. In BC alone, there will be a need for 11,000+ cooks, 6,000+ automotive technicians and mechanics, 5,000+ carpenters, ~5,000 hairstylists and barbers, and 4,000+ trades helper and general labourer. Completion of a skilled trades program in institutions like the College of New Caledonia can pave the entry for a good earning job, as well as the required training towards a Red Seal Certification.

Red Seal Certificate signifies that the tradesperson has demonstrated the knowledge required for their skilled trade. A 2021 study by the Labour market Information Council and Education Policy Research Initiative highlights that those with Red Seal trades earn 9,000 CAD more in their first year, compared to non-Red Seal individuals. The report also mentions that those with Red Seal mechanical trades earn the most in their first year at around 76,500 CAD, followed by those in electrical trades at 74,200 CAD.

The College of New Caledonia offers a wide range of Trades Programs set to address the growing demand for skilled trades workers who will support the continuously growing Canadian economy. The short study period and practical learning and apprenticeship embedded in each program ensure that graduates are knowledgeable and job-ready.