Students, educators, employers and others are invited to the ‘Leap into Trades’ open house at the University of the Fraser Valley’s Chilliwack campus.
UFV’s Faculty of Applied and Technical Studies (ATS) is hosting an in-person open house where folks can explore the programs offered, including trades, technologies, and physics at the Trades and Technology Centre in Chilliwack from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 29.
It is open to everyone, including current, past, and future students, parents, guardians, educators, student counsellors, employers, and industry partners.
“A career in the skilled trades offers so many possibilities including the opportunity to use one’s practical skills to find creative solutions to complex problems,” said Teresa Kisilevich, Dean for the Faculty of Applied and Technical Studies.
This event is an opportunity for people to: ask faculty questions about programs and career options; chat with current students to get first-hand insight into their trades education experience; tour shops, get your hands on the tools, and participate in hands-on activities; and register for a chance win a $250 gift card from KMS Tools (by signing up via Eventbrite link).
Earlier in the day, school buses will be bringing more than 200 Grade 9 students through the building to ‘try-a-trade,’ giving them the opportunity to participate in a variety of interactive learning activities.
“We hope that visitors come away from our open house with a deeper understanding of what programs UFV Applied and Technical Studies has to offer, and that they had fun trying something new in a try-a-trade activity or two,” said Emilie Biela with UFV. “After all, the best way to learn in the skilled trades is getting your hands on the tools.”
The open house also includes the Skills Canada BC Regional competition, with UFV hosting events in architectural CAD, automotive technology, cabinet making, carpentry, culinary, electrical wiring, mechanical CAD, and welding. Welders get an early start to their day, with competition kicking off at 7:30 a.m. All other events begin at 8:30 a.m. and run until around 2 p.m. An awards ceremony follows around 3 p.m.
For more info on Leap into Trades, reach out to trades@ufv.ca.