Vancouver Community College says it has created new clean energy programs for in-demand roles linked to British Columbia’s electrification and sustainable infrastructure transition.
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Vancouver Community College (VCC) says British Columbia’s transition to clean energy is also reshaping workforce needs, creating demand for skilled professionals who can install, maintain and troubleshoot the technologies behind the province’s growing infrastructure.
The college says that shift has led to a new suite of clean energy programs developed with industry partners, with a focus on renewable energy, automotive technologies and building construction, systems and electrical infrastructure. VCC says the programs are designed to build practical skills that employers are actively looking for.
VCC says students gain hands-on training through programs such as its Electronics Repair program, and that apprentices split time between the classroom and the workplace. The college also says instructors often continue working in the industry they teach in, bringing current practices into the classroom.
According to the college, modern trades increasingly rely on advanced digital tools, automation and more sophisticated systems, including work such as installing electric vehicle charging infrastructure, diagnosing vehicles using advanced software and electronics, and managing automated heating, cooling and ventilation (HVAC) technologies for energy efficiency.
VCC also says it has incorporated learning technology into its programs, including a virtual reality environment for its Culinary instructors modelled on the college’s kitchens, built with tools, recipes and techniques from its Professional Cook 1 and 2 programs. The project, the college says, began following the pandemic to support a remote learning option.
The college says the demand for enhanced clean energy skills is expected to continue growing, citing research that indicates that by 2032, 40% of new jobs in trades, transport and equipment will require enhanced clean energy skills.
VCC says graduates can pursue roles including construction electrician, refrigeration and HVAC technician, electric vehicle technician, building automation specialist and renewable energy technician, with some moving into supervisory, management or entrepreneurial roles later in their careers.
The college says it serves both recent high school graduates and adult learners returning to school to reskill or switch careers, and adds that intakes for the new programs begin from September 2026 onward, with program pages listing timings, course duration and registration requirements.
To support its clean energy and automotive training offering, VCC says it is expanding its Broadway Campus with a new Centre for Clean Energy and Automotive Innovation, which is expected to be completed in late 2027.
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