Notable forestry sector leaders have donated $2.5 million towards BCIT's new Technology and Trades Complex, the school has announced.
The contribution was given to its INSPIRE campaign, which will help benefit more than 20 trades and technology programs.
“With ongoing innovation and growing demand for climate-friendly building solutions, Canfor is excited to support BCIT’s growth as an interconnection between the forestry and construction sectors," Canfor CEO Don Kayne said in a news release.
"With some of the most advanced labs and simulation facilities in the country, the TTC will be a training space that showcases high-value wood product applications, including our leadership in mass timber.
"Forestry has a proud history in BC, and we see exciting opportunities for the future as the world turns to lower carbon products to build greener homes, businesses, and communities.”
Organizations included Tolko, West Fraser, Canfor, Hampton Lumber, Mosaic Forest Management, Paper Excellence and Binational Softwood Lumber Council.
“British Columbia is facing a demand for an estimated 85,000 new trades jobs over the next decade,” BCIT interim president Paul McCullough added.
"The generous donation from our forestry partners to the new Trades and Technology Complex will help ensure future BCIT students have access to the best tools, instruction, and equipment needed to be job-ready."
The post-secondary institution says the BCIT Trades and Technology Complex will include spaces that inspire integrated learning and facilitate inter-trade collaboration.
The complex will also add training capacity for hundreds of new full and part-time students yearly, according to the release.
