BCIT School of Construction and the Environment

🎨 BCIT Interior Design Pilot Program – Now with Royal Roads University @bcitsoce Interior Design is launching an exciting pilot program at Royal Roads University’s Langford Campus, bringing together the best of in‑person and online learning for future designers. ✨ Join our online info session 📅 May 20 ⏰ 4:30–5:30 pm PDT 🔸 Why the hybrid format works for design students: • Hands-on studio learning, in person: Material exploration, making, critiques, and peer learning thrive face‑to‑face. • Flexible online learning: Recorded lectures and digital demos let students revisit complex concepts and manage studio time more effectively. • Real‑world experience: Hybrid learning mirrors professional design practice, blending digital collaboration with in‑person engagement. • Inclusive and accessible: Multiple modes of learning support diverse needs and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles. • More meaningful studio time: Online delivery of foundational content frees in‑person sessions for mentorship, collaboration, and high‑impact feedback. 👉 Interested in learning more? Register for the info session and discover how this innovative program can support your design journey. Link in bio #BCIT #InteriorDesign #HybridLearning #DesignEducation #RoyalRoadsUniversity #LangfordBC

⚡ Electrical Safety Week | May 11–15 ⚡ This week, we recognize Electrical Safety Week, an important reminder of the skills, training, and attention to detail that kept our worksites safe every day. Electrical safety was a shared responsibility, and we were proud to highlight the professionals and apprentices who make it a priority. We are also thrilled to celebrate our electrical student, Melody Watkins, who represented us at the BC Skills Competition—and brought home Gold in Electrical Wiring! 🥇⚡ Winning at this level was an incredible achievement and a true testament to Melody’s hard work, dedication, and bright future in the skilled trades. Safety, skill, and excellence were on full display and we couldn’t be prouder. 💙⚡ #ElectricalSafetyWeek #BCSkills #GoldMedalist #ElectricalWiring #SkilledTrades

🏗️ BC Construction Month was all about celebrating everything that goes into building our communities. @bcitsoce closed out the month with a celebration of our construction trades as well as a sweet goodbye to one of our own, who is moving on to new opportunities. As we recognized the incredible work happening across our school, we also took time to give a heartfelt thank you to Sebastian, a truly valued member of our team. His dedication, skill, and positive spirit left a lasting impact on our projects and on everyone who had the privilege of working alongside him. He will be greatly missed, but we were so proud of everything he accomplished with us and are excited for what comes next in his journey. Thank you for being such an important part of our construction family. 💛💙💛💙 #BCConstructionMonth #PeopleWhoBuild #TeamRecognition #Grateful #BestOfLuck #ConstructionLife @thisisbcca

⏳5 days until the Equity in Trades Conference for Women and Gender‑Diverse Trades Instructors, May 8–10 📅 🌟 Instructor Spotlight: @gap2thgrin 🌟 Kavan is a #MasterElectrician and instructor at @bcitsoce , and an incredible force for positive change in trades education. She pours herself tirelessly into improving curriculum and the experience of trades students. She is leading the session 'Sustainable Leadership in Male-Dominated Environments', so that women and gender-diverse trades instructors can move beyond surviving in these challenging, stacked environments to thriving. #WomenLeading #TradesEducation #SkilledTrades #EquityInTrades #Electrical #WomenWhoBuild Many thanks to our platinum sponsors @webuildadream , our gold sponsors @bchydro , our bronze sponsors @pittmeadowsplumbing We are grateful to @westernjets for their assistance with curriculum development. @bccwitt

⏳ Counting down to the Equity in Trades Conference for Women and Gender‑Diverse Trades Instructors, May 8–10 📅 🌟 Instructor Spotlight: @c_j.barron 🌟 Chelsea is a #RedSeal Endorsed #Machinist and instructor at @bcitenergy . She is a member of the Chilcotin First Nation and is very passionate about apprenticeship, mentorship, and advocating for all indigenous peoples, women, and other minorities in the skilled trades. Chelsea is also a Regional Representative with @bccwitt as well as an Advisor on the National Indigenous Tradeswomen Advisory Circle. Together with @bossbabebarb , Chelsea is leading the session Indigenous Experiences in Trades Instruction. This session explores how representation in instructors, curriculum, and leadership directly impacts Indigenous students’ sense of belonging, confidence, and persistence. This is not symbolic. Representation shapes real outcomes. Participants will gain practical tools to better support Indigenous students and help create more inclusive, responsive classrooms. Indigenous, women, and gender‑diverse trades instructors remain significantly underrepresented. Addressing this inequity is essential to the future of trades education, innovation, safety, and long‑term sustainability. #WomenLeading #TradesEducation #SkilledTrades #EquityInTrades #Electrical #WomenWhoBuild Many thanks to our platinum sponsors @webuildadream , our gold sponsors @bchydro , our bronze sponsors @pittmeadowsplumbing We are grateful to @westernjets for their assistance with curriculum development. @bccwitt , @bctradesequitysociety #EquityInTrades #WomenInTrades #SkilledTrades #TradesEducation #WomenSupportingWomen #InclusiveLeadership #TradesLeadership #ConferenceCountdown #TradesInstructors #EquityAtWork #GenderDiverseTrades

BCIT SST Security Summit Connects Students with Industry Leaders A few weeks ago, the #BCIT Security Systems Technician (SST) Program hosted the BCIT SST Security Summit at our Burnaby Campus, bringing together industry partners, educators, and students to explore current and emerging opportunities in the security systems sector. The summit opened with remarks from Michael Hogg (Core Products) and featured a panel discussion with Timothy Rollerson (PBX Engineering), Bryan Sweeney (Atom-22 Integrated Systems Inc.), Dale Wuttke (Hanwha Vision), and Eni Porbeni (Ministry of Citizens’ Services)—all members of ASIS International. Panelists shared insights on industry trends, career pathways, and why security systems expertise remains in high demand. 🎓 The event also marked a special milestone as the final day of classes for one SST cohort, giving students the opportunity to celebrate their achievements alongside faculty and industry guests. Thank you to Michael Felgner for organizing the summit, to our panelists for sharing their expertise, and to everyone who joined us in celebrating our students.

⏳ Counting down to the Equity in Trades Conference for Women and Gender‑Diverse Trades Instructors, May 8–10 📅 🌟 Instructor Spotlight: @Barbara James 🌟 She is a #RedSeal Endorsed #Carpenter and instructor at @bcitsoce . She is also the President of the @bctradesequitysociety (formerly BC Tradeswomen Society), where she advocates for equity, access, and leadership across the skilled trades. A proud member of the Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Nation in Port Hardy, BC, Barbara brings lived experience, cultural knowledge, and a deep commitment to community into everything she does. She is also the mother of the wonderful Abel. Together with @c_j.barron Barron, Barbara is leading the session Indigenous Experiences in Trades Instruction. This session explores how representation in instructors, curriculum, and leadership directly impacts Indigenous students’ sense of belonging, confidence, and persistence. This is not symbolic. Representation shapes real outcomes. Participants will gain practical tools to better support Indigenous students and help create more inclusive, responsive classrooms. Indigenous, women, and gender‑diverse trades instructors remain significantly underrepresented. Addressing this inequity is essential to the future of trades education, innovation, safety, and long‑term sustainability. #WomenLeading #TradesEducation #SkilledTrades #EquityInTrades #Electrical #WomenWhoBuild Many thanks to our platinum sponsors @webuildadream , our gold sponsors @bchydro , our bronze sponsors @pittmeadowsplumbing We are grateful to @westernjets for their assistance with curriculum development. @bccwitt #EquityInTrades #WomenInTrades #SkilledTrades #TradesEducation #WomenSupportingWomen #InclusiveLeadership #TradesLeadership #ConferenceCountdown #TradesInstructors #EquityAtWork #GenderDiverseTrades

🌿Learning by doing in the field Forest & Natural Areas Management students travelled to Kamloops and Merritt to take part in prescribed burning as part of their coursework, guided by instructors Justin Perry, Elise Galuska, and Samantha Thoroski. Through hands‑on experience connected to forest health, wildland and community fire management, and forest management, students explored how prescribed fire helps reduce fuel loads, support ecosystem health, and improve community safety. Real‑world training with real‑world impact. 🌟Learn more at bcit.ca/fnam Drone footage by Justin Perry, FNAM Faculty.

🌱 Field Skills in Soil Classification & Assessment Ready to build hands‑on soil assessment skills in the field? BCIT’s Field Skills in Soil Classification and Assessment course is now open for registration. ✅ Learn practical soil classification techniques ✅ Work directly at field sites ✅ Build job‑ready skills used in forestry, ecology, and natural resource management 🗓 June 11–12, 2026 ⏰ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm 👉 Learn more & register — link in bio

⏳ Counting down to the Equity in Trades Conference for Women and Gender‑Diverse Trades Instructors, May 8–10 📅 I am honoured to introduce our presenters and celebrate the educators shaping leadership and excellence in the skilled trades 🛠️✨ Today, I am highlighting Laurel Tokuda 👏 From the arts to the electrical trade, and into senior leadership, Laurel is a Red Seal journeyperson, Master Electrician, and Associate Dean of Electrical, Safety, and Systems Trades and Technologies at @nait . Her career spans commercial and industrial electrical work across Alberta and BC, followed by more than a decade in trades education. A true trailblazer, Laurel was the first woman Associate Chair in NAIT’s Electrician program, led the launch of Jill of All Trades, became the first woman Department Head in the School of Skilled Trades, and helped secure $2.6 million in federal funding to advance women in trades nationwide. Laurel’s commitment to mentorship and equity continues to shape the future of the skilled trades. #WomenLeading #TradesEducation #SkilledTrades #EquityInTrades #Electrical #WomenWhoBuild Together with Laurel Tokuda, Nicole will lead a candid conversation on women supporting women in leadership 🤝 They will explore pathways from trades instructor to academic leader, building confidence, opening doors for others, and influencing more inclusive outcomes across the trades Many thanks to our platinum sponsors @webuildadream , our gold sponsors @bchydro , our bronze sponsors @pittmeadowsplumbing We are grateful to @westernjets for their assistance with curriculum development. @bctradesequitysociety #EquityInTrades #WomenInTrades #SkilledTrades #TradesEducation #WomenSupportingWomen #InclusiveLeadership #TradesLeadership #ConferenceCountdown #TradesInstructors #EquityAtWork #GenderDiverseTrades

🌿 Field Skills in Native Plant Identification Looking to build hands‑on plant identification skills in the field? BCIT’s Field Skills in Native Plant Identification course is now open for registration and starts May 22. ✅ Learn directly at multiple field sites ✅ Identify 40+ native BC plant species ✅ Gain practical, job‑ready skills for natural resource & environmental careers This short, field‑based course is ideal for students, professionals, and anyone with a passion for nature. 👉 Learn more & register — link in bio

⏳ Counting down to the Equity in Trades Conference for Women and Gender‑Diverse Trades Instructors, May 8–10 📅 I am honoured to introduce our presenters and celebrate the educators shaping leadership and excellence in the skilled trades 🛠️✨ Today I am highlighting Nicole Mahoney 👏 A Red Seal Ironworker, Blue Seal holder, and Associate Dean of Manufacturing Sciences at @naitschoolofskilledtrades 🎓 Nicole bridges industry expertise and academic leadership while championing inclusive pathways where tradeswomen do not just enter the industry, they thrive 💪 Together with Laurel Tokuda, Nicole will lead a candid conversation on women supporting women in leadership 🤝 They will explore pathways from trades instructor to academic leader, building confidence, opening doors for others, and influencing more inclusive outcomes across the trades Many thanks to our platinum sponsors @webuildadream , our gold sponsors @bchydro , our bronze sponsors @pittmeadowsplumbing We are grateful to @westernjets for their assistance with curriculum development. @bctradesequitysociety #EquityInTrades #WomenInTrades #SkilledTrades #TradesEducation #WomenSupportingWomen #InclusiveLeadership #TradesLeadership #ConferenceCountdown #TradesInstructors #EquityAtWork #GenderDiverseTrades