The Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) has awarded $30,000 to 10 recipients of the 2026 Bursary Program. Now in its third year, VRCA’s Bursary Program addresses the construction industry’s growing workforce gap by providing financial support to students pursuing careers in the trades, one of B.C.’s most essential sectors.

“Initiatives such as the Bursary Program are critical to support the next generation of builders,” said Jeannine Martin, president of the VRCA. “With BuildForce Canada projecting that B.C. will need to recruit more than 60,000 workers by 2034 just to keep up with demand, the time for action is now. This program eases the financial barrier that many students face and enables them to attain meaningful, long-term careers.”

This year’s Bursary Program recipients are enrolled in or pursuing careers in programs including electrical, piping and plumbing, cabinet making and joinery, building science, and architecture CADD.

“This was one of the most competitive years yet for the Bursary Program,” said Eva Ciesielska, workforce development manager at the VRCA. “We received over 70 applications from students interested in exploring careers in the trades. Our judging panel was incredibly impressed with the calibre of the applications.”

VRCA’s Bursary Program is just one of the ways that the association helps to empower and inspire the next generation of builders. VRCA’s Bring Trades to Schools (BTS) program gives students hands-on experience with the trades. In 2025, the program connected nearly 600 youth with schools, industry partners, and post-secondary institutions.