Trades professionals are the foundation for building the future of BC, and they are in demand now more than ever. The StrongerBC: Future Ready Action Plan is a generational commitment to accelerating talent and skills training throughout the province.
TradeUpBC brings together British Columbia’s post-secondary institutes to help experienced tradespeople and employers remain resilient, adaptable, and inclusive by providing access to microcredentials and professional development courses. These courses will assist tradespeople and employers in advancing their careers, strengthening their businesses, creating welcoming worksites for everyone, and ensuring they are prepared for future opportunities.
TradeUpBC is a provincially-funded initiative that connects tradespeople to all BC post-secondary institutes.
The sectors listed below provide information on available programs, courses, and accredited education institute partners across British Columbia and the Yukon. Choose your industry and start planning your future today!
Restaurant Operation is a course where students apply the theoretical knowledge and skills learned from various courses in the hospitality program. This course allows students to develop skills required to operate a casual dining room in a commercial kitchen setting. In the dining room students assume the roles and responsibilities of a manager, a server, hosting, cashiering, and bartending. In the kitchen, students assume the role of a manager and produce all menu items, building on the culinary foundations.
*This course will open in September for TradeUpBC applicants.
Dive into a comprehensive Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) Level C course. Comprehensive in-person two-day course offering first aid and CPR skills for those who need training due to work requirements or who want more knowledge to respond to emergencies at home.
The Budgets And Financial Reports course will give you a solid foundation in finance. We’ll cover topics like commonly used terms, financial statements, budgets, forecasting, purchasing decisions, and financial legislation.
A Cross Connection Control Tester inspects operating conditions of Back Flow Preventers, tests for proper operation of Back Flow Preventers, determines Back Flow Preventer requirements based on local by-laws and ordinances, repairs, replaces, and installs Back Flow Preventers and provides documented test report forms for private and municipal records.
Planning to write the ICBC Airbrakes Examination? This course, as well as a valid BC driver’s license are prerequisites. In preparation for the pre-trip inspection and theory training, pick up a copy of the Driving Commercial Vehicles booklet from your local ICBC Driver Licensing Office.
TradeUpBC has identified seven key areas of demand aimed at supporting certified or experienced trades workers and employers through specialized training programs. The programs offered on the TradeUpBC website are designed to complement apprentice training rather than replace it.
Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic, Business Owner
From high school to apprentice, then certified tradesperson to business owner, Logan Henson’s journey is a great example of the power of ongoing education to advance careers and open exciting new pathways for both experienced tradespeople and the business owners who employ them.
Plumber
Wallis Plumpton is kind of surprised. The 36-year-old has just entered year three of the four-year BC plumbing apprenticeship program and is excited about the future. This is a story of discovery, full of twists and turns with some surprises along the way.
