Thursday October 9, 2025 | SAANICH, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Camosun College has received a $625,000 pledge from The Gwyn Morgan and Patricia Trottier Foundation to sustain its trades sampler program for the next two-and-a-half years.
The 12-week trades sampler is a cornerstone initiative that introduces people to a wide range of skilled trades.
This investment in B.C.’s trades industry comes at a crucial time, says Camosun College.
“The province needs a skilled workforce to build big projects, revitalize the economy, and meet our most pressing challenges,” the college stated in a news release on October 8.
First entry-point:
“Programs like the trades sampler are often workers’ first entry point to the trades,” says Patricia Trottier, who recently joined 18 trades sampler students for a celebratory lunch on Interurban campus.
“My hope is that this donation enables a new generation to have access to the trades,” she said.
The trades sampler program is a direct pathway into Camosun’s Empowering Women in Trades (EWiT) program, also funded by the Gwyn Morgan and Patricia Trottier Foundation since 2017. Together, these programs offer wraparound supports and a welcoming, inclusive environment that helps women succeed in Foundation and Apprenticeship training.
“This gift means everything,” says Brian Coey, Chair of Trades Development at Camosun. “The trades sampler is the very first step to a career in the trades. We are deeply grateful for this extraordinary investment in our students and in the future of our workforce.”
About the trades sampler program
The trades sampler program allows students to gain hands-on experience in multiple trade areas such as plumbing, electrical, carpentry, sheet metal, welding, and more.
Students build foundational skills, gain confidence working with tools, and complete safety certifications while learning what pathway is right for them. Many graduates go on to enter Camosun’s full foundation programs or secure apprenticeships directly after completion.
Camosun College’s role in trades education
Camosun continues to be a leader in trades education on Vancouver Island and beyond.
With 87% of graduates remaining in the region, the college plays a vital role in addressing local labour shortages, training the next generation of skilled workers, and building inclusive pathways for underrepresented groups.
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NEWS SECTIONS: POST-SECONDARY | CAMOSUN COLLEGE | JOBS & EMPLOYMENT