Students at Northwest Community College training to work as heavy duty equipment technicians, welders, electricians, carpenters, millwrights and in other skilled jobs will be learning on the very latest equipment, thanks to $3 million from the government of British Columbia.

The funding is part of $17 million announced in September for public post-secondary institutions around the province to upgrade skills training equipment, a key component in the BC Skills and Training Plan.

Equipment purchases and replacements at each institution are based upon a review and analysis of existing inventory, current and future program and industry requirements, and current government priorities to provide skills training that is aligned to the needs of the economy in each region.

Institutions will also pursue partnerships with local industries and other stakeholders to purchase or donate equipment, ensuring students continue to train on the latest equipment being used in the workplace.

The type of equipment slated for new purchase or replacement at Northwest Community College (NWCC) unless otherwise donated from industry partners includes a bulldozer, a grader and a diesel engine trainer for the heavy duty mechanics technician program, programmable logic controls for the electrical program and metal lathes for the millwright program, as well as state-of-the-art arc and welding simulator stations.

Minister of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology John Yap was joined by students and instructors in the automotive and heavy duty mechanics shop at the Terrace campus for the announcement today.

NWCC will lead mining training in British Columbia under the Skills and Training Plan as the headquarters of the B.C. Centre of Training Excellence in Mining.

Quotes:

John Yap, Minister of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology -

"This investment along with the contributions of private industry partners will ensure learners at Northwest Community College are training on the same calibre of equipment their employers will be asking them to work on after they graduate."

"Under the BC Jobs Plan, we're taking action to provide education and training opportunities that are aligned with the needs of our economy, building industry and employment in northern British Columbia."

Dr. Denise Henning, president and CEO, Northwest Community College -

"This investment by our provincial government provides NWCC students with opportunities to learn on equipment they will use in their respective industries. It supports our commitment to meeting the needs of students, communities and industry. It also furthers the capacity of B.C.'s Centres of Excellence, such as our school of exploration and mining in Smithers, to be the best that they can be at delivering relevant high-quality education."

Kevin Evans, CEO of the Industry Training Authority -

"This represents a critically important investment in B.C.'s industry training system. Ensuring our apprentices are training on leading-edge equipment is essential to producing a workforce with the leading edge skills required to take advantage of the economic opportunities before us."

Quick Facts:

• In August 2012, the B.C. government announced $1.2 million in capital funding to go toward improving and upgrading facilities at Northwest Community College.
• Northwest Community College received more than $839,000 in one-time funding announced in April 2012 to offer short-term training in the region: http://bit.ly/HZ4EEn
• The college expects to create seats in a variety of trades-related fields over the next two years, including introduction to trades and mining skills.

Learn More:

BC Jobs Plan and Skills and Training Plan: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/

The Ministry of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology: http://www.gov.bc.ca/aved/index.html

Northwest Community College: http://www.nwcc.bc.ca/

Media Contact:

Dan Gilmore
Communications Manager
Ministry of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology
250 952-6400