To ensure that the forest industry has the skilled workforce it needs in the future, the Province has partnered with the B.C. Forest Safety Council (BCFSC) and the Council of Forest Industries (COFI) on two new Forest Workforce projects that will support the recruitment, identification and skills assessment of qualified workers.

Work is underway to replace the 61-year-old Salmon River Bridge on Highway 97 north of Prince George, Mike Morris, MLA for Prince George-McKenzie, and Shirley Bond, MLA for Prince George-Valemount, announced on behalf of Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone.

Students at the College of New Caledonia (CNC) will get skills for jobs using new industry-standard trades training equipment as a result of $1.2 million in funding, including a hydrostatic transmission trainer for the heavy duty mechanical trades program.

Public post-secondary education institutions in the Cariboo and Northern British Columbia are preparing students for in-demand careers in a wide variety of sectors that support a growing and prosperous British Columbia economy.

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has extended the deadline to receive applications for capital and operating grants under the Highway 16 Transportation Action Plan community vehicle grant program.

On Friday, Sept. 9, the annual federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) ministers of labour meeting is being held in the city of Prince George. The meeting will be co-chaired by Canada’s Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour MaryAnn Mihychuk, and Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour Shirley Bond.

Aboriginal high school students will benefit from new business and skills training opportunities, thanks to a partnership between the Province, JA British Columbia (JABC), Community Futures Development Corporation of the Central Interior First Nations and the Aboriginal Business Services Network.

Animals needing a home in Prince George will benefit from a Crown land lease of 1.18 hectares beside Exhibition Park to the North Cariboo District Branch of the BC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA).

Drivers along Highway 16 and visitors to the Ancient Forest/Chun T’oh Whudujut Park are advised that the parking lot and Universal Boardwalk and Trail will be closed during parts of September as the Province continues highway intersection improvements and parking lot upgrades to increase the safety and accessibility of the new park.