As the automotive industry continues to evolve, investing in our future workforce remains a top priority. I was pleased to attend an announcement at Vancouver Community College last week, where the provincial government unveiled plans to add 5,000 new trades training seats across British Columbia in 2026-27, helping create more pathways for the skilled workers our industry depends on.
Through a $241 million investment over three years, the BC government will support training for in-demand occupations, including several critical to the automotive sector. The funding will help reduce waitlists for apprenticeship programs, expand training capacity and encourage more young people to pursue rewarding careers in the skilled trades.
The announcement does not include details about the number of seats that may benefit the auto sector. However, supporting the future automotive workforce remains a top priority for new car dealers across BC, and I will continue engaging with the provincial government to ensure the sector’s voice is heard and is fairly represented.
For auto dealers across the province, workforce shortages remain one of the industry’s most significant challenges. As vehicle technology becomes increasingly advanced, the need for highly trained technicians continues to grow. Investments like this help strengthen the talent pipeline while ensuring British Columbians have access to well-paying, in-demand careers that support communities throughout the province.
Supporting workforce development remains a priority for the New Car Dealers Association of BC (NCDA). In 2026, the New Car Dealers Foundation of BC distributed more than $155,000 through grants and scholarships. These funds are given out through the foundation’s CarCareerBC grants, in partnership with Snap-On Tools, and through direct partnerships with schools across the province.
The foundation’s CarCareer BC grant provides financial support towards tuition and tools to students enrolled in eligible apprenticeship, training and education programs that lead to careers in the automotive industry. Grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 are awarded by the Foundation’s Board of Directors through partnerships with BCIT, Coast Mountain College, College of New Caledonia, Okanagan College, Vancouver Island University, Vancouver Community College and the Automotive Business School of Canada at Georgian College – supporting the next generation of automotive workers.
Investing in the future workforce is not just about filling jobs. It is about creating long-term career pathways that offer stability, growth and opportunity for workers across B.C. As vehicle technology continues to advance, it is equally important that skilled-trades training evolves alongside it. With more electric vehicles on the road than ever before, demand is growing for automotive technicians with the specialized knowledge and skills needed to service and repair these vehicles.
While workforce challenges will not be solved overnight, expanding access to training is an important step in the right direction. I look forward to seeing more British Columbians pursue rewarding careers in the skilled trades and to continuing our work with educators, industry partners and government to help build the workforce our industry needs for the future.
Blair Qualey is President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. You can email him at [email protected].
