On March 30, 2017, the Finishing Trades Institute of British Columbia opened its 14,000 square foot training facility. This new addition will be used to train BC workers in industrial painting. The $4 million expansion was funded entirely by District Council 38. With this new expansion, the FTI of BC now totals 40,000 square feet of customized shops and classroom space.
“We see it as a prudent, long-term investment in the future of construction in BC and in the future of our members and the union,” said Dave Holmes, Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer of DC 38. “With this expansion, the FTI can now accommodate 350 union and non-union students each year in four construction and finishing trades. There is nothing like it in Western Canada.”
Amrik Virk, Minister of Technology, Innovation, and Citizens’ Services, is also excited about FTI’s new expansion. “This expansion will house some of the latest industrial technology, providing BC tradespeople with relevant, modern training. Our province needs skilled tradespeople today and into the future. I’d like to congratulate IUPAT District Council 38 and the Finishing Trades Institute of BC on this new addition, which will increase capacity for training.”