New Centre for Clean Energy and Automotive Innovation coming to Great Northern Way
Premier David Eby (back left) and Minister Selina Robinson (center front) announce $270 million funding to VCC.
Vancouver, B.C., – Members of Vancouver Community College (VCC), were proud to participate in an announcement today from Premier David Eby, alongside Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, Selina Robinson and Minister of State for Workforce Development, Andrew Mercier, about the Province of British Columbia’s plans to move forward in partnership with VCC on the new Centre for Clean Energy and Automotive Innovation at the Broadway campus. The Province is contributing $271.3 million towards the new centre with a total projected capital cost of $291.3 million.
The Centre, as a catalyst project for VCC’s Campus Plan, will not only revitalize VCC campuses, it will transform the Broadway and Great Northern Way corridor for the surrounding communities.
It will provide teaching and experiential learning for VCC students in important clean energy fields that are in high demand and support the province’s training, labour market, and environmental goals for a clean and sustainable future for next generations.
The Centre will also reflect VCC’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation. The exterior and interior design of the new building will tell the story of Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, and of the Coast Salish people who are the stewards of these lands. Thank you to Chief Ian Campbell, our Indigenous cultural advisors, and council for their guidance on our path forward.
Today marks the beginning of a bold new chapter for VCC, for a strong BC together with the Province, the City, our neighbours – and with the college community.
Read the full government announcement or watch the video recording.
Quotes
David Eby, Premier of British Columbia:
“As our clean economy grows and British Columbians embrace electric cars faster than any other province in Canada, we must invest in the training people need to pursue in-demand careers. The new centre at Vancouver Community College will make sure thousands of students have the skills to get good-paying jobs and employers can find the talented people they need to help grow and drive our clean economy forward.”
Selina Robinson, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills:
“Skilled trades workers are in high demand and are critical to ensuring the economy remains strong and we build a sustainable and inclusive economy that leaves no one behind. As we work to fill more than one million jobs over the next decade, the Centre for Clean Energy and Automotive Innovation is a big, responsive step in equipping British Columbians with the knowledge and skills they need today to succeed in the high-paying, in-demand jobs of tomorrow’s economy and labour market.”
Ajay Patel, Vancouver Community College President and CEO:
“This funding unlocks the potential for VCC to better serve our students, faculty and staff as well as the surrounding community with clean-energy programming, future attainable housing and civic amenities, new academic and collaborative design spaces, and purpose-built Indigenous gathering spaces. VCC’s new Centre for Clean Energy and Automotive Innovation will be a catalyst for not only the revitalization of our campuses, but the transformation of Broadway and the Great Northern Way corridor. It is a great day for VCC."
Minister Robinson tests out VCC's electric excavator used to train students on repairing clean tech.
Media highlights:
Vancouver Community College's ambitious housing proposal, On the Coast with Gloria Macarenko, CBC.
VCC ventures into the Real Estate Market, Mornings with Simi, CKNW.
Dan Fumano: VCC's 'trail-blazing' plan includes thousands of homes for East Vancouver, Vancouver Sun.
B.C. invests $270M in Vancouver Community College for clean energy, automotive centre, CityNews Vancouver.
About the Centre for Clean Energy and Automotive Innovation
The Centre for Clean Energy and Automotive Innovation (CCEAI) is envisioned as an eight-story, 31,943 square meter (343,832 square feet), LEED Gold certified, energy efficient, hybrid mass-timber/concrete building. The CCEAI is anchored by new automotive programs that will train automotive service technicians on the servicing and maintenance of electric vehicles – Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV), Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) and Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV). The CCEAI will contribute 772 net new students annually with the demand for 24,000+ jobs through to 2031, especially in the mainland southwest which represents ~70% of the projected workforce.
The CCEAI at the Broadway campus is a catalyst project for the VCC Campus Plan. Learn more about the Centre, VCC's Campus Plan, stories about training in automotive innovation, and more.
Download high-resolution photos.
About Vancouver Community College
VCC has been inspiring students to reach their career and educational goals for over 55 years, offering post-secondary training in over 140 programs including bachelor's degrees, diplomas, certificates, and apprenticeships. With two campuses located Downtown and in East Vancouver, students receive hands-on instruction in culinary arts, business, design, health sciences, hospitality management, transportation trades, music, and more. Learn more at vcc.ca.
For media inquiries, contact:
Jen Hill
Manager, Communications
M: 604.828.0974
E: jehill@vcc.ca
Carey Yada Lee
Strategic Communications Specialist
M: 236.833.3640
E: cyadalee@vcc.ca