EllisDon and KPU Tech Join Forces for Cloverdale Hospital Training
Construction giant EllisDon is partnering with Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) Tech in Cloverdale to provide hands-on training for workers helping build the region’s new hospital. The collaboration focuses on boosting skills, supporting apprenticeships, and creating career pathways in B.C.’s growing construction industry.
Training Future Builders in B.C.
Through the partnership, KPU is delivering specialized Construction Craft Worker training to more than a dozen EllisDon employees currently working at the hospital site. Classes began in the summer, offering an eight-week on-campus program spread over two years.
“This partnership allows students to gain credentials, strengthen their skills, and advance their careers,” said Laura McDonald, dean at KPU. “Together with EllisDon, we’re shaping the future of construction in British Columbia.”
Building Skills and Careers Together
EllisDon says the partnership not only strengthens its workforce but also demonstrates its commitment to upskilling and employee development.
“Investing in the training and registration of 16 employees into a Level 1 apprenticeship program has proven valuable,” said Stephanie Morand of EllisDon. “The benefits are already visible in both skills and morale.”
McDonald added that the program aligns with SkilledTradesBC standards, helping participants gain industry-recognized qualifications and exposure to advanced trades training in a post-secondary setting.
A Nationally Recognized Program
According to KPU, the Construction Craft Worker program is a nationally designated Red Seal trade, designed to prepare labourers for high-demand roles across Canada’s construction sector.
Cloverdale Hospital: A Landmark Project
The upcoming Cloverdale hospital, led by EllisDon, will be one of Canada’s first fully electric hospitals. Initially estimated at $1.66 billion, the project’s cost has since increased to $2.88 billion, with completion now expected in 2029 and opening projected for 2030.
Provincial officials attributed the delays and budget adjustments to inflation and supply challenges affecting materials and labour.
Training That Builds a Future
This partnership between EllisDon and KPU Tech marks a meaningful investment in people as much as infrastructure—empowering workers to build both a hospital and their own long-term careers.
