The region has been inhabited for thousands of years by Aboriginal peoples, including the Bella Coola, Haida, Kwakiutl, Nootka, Salish and Tsimshian.
In 1792 Europeans explorers sailed into Burrard Inlet searching for the North West Passage and were soon followed by fur traders. In 1858 more settlers arrived in search of gold on the tributaries of the Fraser River. The resulting resource-based economy is still well represented in today’s industries and businesses (forestry, mining, fishing and agriculture). However, things have changed since the gold rush era.
BC is now Canada's third most populated province. It produces about 12% of the country's GDP, and its economy is less dependent on natural resources. Tourism, business services, computer systems design, motion picture recording, and scientific consulting have seen exceptional growth since the 1990s.
A high concentration of hydrogen and fuel fuel cell technology developers has generated federal support for BC's Hydrogen Highway, and provincial support for the world's first fleet of hydrogen buses (to be deployed at the 2010 Winter Olympics).
A steady supply of highly qualified personnel is required to maintain this momentum, and all our alumni have found employment shortly after graduation. If you want a career in clean energy, BC is one of the best places in the world to get you started.