Tariffs, Layoffs, and Learning: A Trades Instructor’s Perspective

A recent conversation with Michael Cook, a BCIT steel trades instructor, highlighted how government policies are reshaping industry. Tariffs on steel and aluminum aimed at protecting local mills have roiled supply chains. Companies facing rising costs, heavy tax burdens, and global competition are turning toward domestic production and automation to survive. Ironically, measures meant to safeguard jobs can accelerate automation, ultimately reducing workforce needs.

These industry shifts are felt in the classroom. When factories slow down or cut staff, enrolment in trades programs falls, and budgets tighten. Schools grapple with fewer resources and even staffing cuts amid declining demand. As an instructor, I find myself teaching smaller classes and constantly adjusting my plans to an uncertain employment outlook for graduates.

We educators are responding with resilience and creativity. Many are updating curricula to cover new automated processes and focusing on transferable skills that remain valuable. We also recognize the government’s broader role: the same policies that shape markets influence funding for training and apprenticeships. Ultimately, this era demands adaptability. Staying aware of economic trends and policy changes has become as essential in our teaching as the tools and techniques of the trade.