Skilled trades students in the Kootenay Lake and Kootenay-Columbia school districts will benefit from a three-year, $15-million investment by the B.C. government to support youth trades programs with the purchase of new trades training equipment.

The Province and the Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce are teaming up to find new ways to expand the manufacturing industry in the Kootenays.

The world is changing and B.C. students need to be ready to adapt to the careers of tomorrow. Students in the Kootenay Lake School District will be prepared thanks to $22,500 in provincial funding awarded to the district, helping to connect kids with opportunities in skilled trades and tech training.                                                

Students, teachers and staff at Kootenay Lake school district’s Central Education Centre will benefit from $410,000 in provincial School Enhancement Program funding.

Families in the Kootenay Lake school district will benefit from improved transportation services, thanks to $419,602 in funding under the new provincial Student Transportation Fund.

Students at Selkirk College will benefit from $187,000 in funding toward the purchase of trades equipment, such as a new table saw for the carpenter program.

The Nelson and District Youth Centre has always benefitted from the profits raised through the operation of the Nelson City Campground, a social enterprise aiding local youth.

New mobile radio communication protocols are being implemented throughout British Columbia to improve safety for resource road users.

The Government of B.C. has provided $250,000 to the Shriners of British Columbia and Yukon - Shriners Care for Kids to help cover capital expenditures for the improvement of their transportation program.