Students at North Island College campuses will benefit from improved and upgraded campus safety systems, thanks to $652,000 in capital funding that is part of government's investment in B.C.'s post-secondary infrastructure this year.

The upgrades will ensure campus infrastructure and operational systems are performing at optimal levels, which is important to keep B.C's campuses in top operating shape. Work at the Campbell River, Comox Valley and Port Alberni campuses is expected to be completed over the summer.

The college and government also announced today how $507,000 in one-time funding - http://ow.ly/dbutB - will be used to offer short-term training in the region. The college expects to create up to 63 trades-related seats over the coming year, including trades foundation skills, carpentry and campground maintenance.

B.C. taxpayers are providing over $22 million for North Island College's operations this year - including an allowance for general infrastructure maintenance - up from $18.3 million in 2001-02. The number of funded student spaces at the college has increased five per cent since 2003-04.

More than $10 million in capital investments have been made at the college since 2001, including construction of a new skills development and trades training facility in Courtenay.

Quotes:

Don McRae, MLA for Comox Valley -

"We've made significant investments in North Island College over the past decade, helping to build a well-educated and trained work force in the region. This funding will allow NIC to ensure they have the modern facilities students need to grow their careers and meet the demands of B.C. employers."

Jan Lindsay, president, North Island College -

"We are very pleased to have received the one-time funding, as it will enable us to work with industry through NIC's Natural Resource and Applied Research Centre, located in Campbell River, to support the economic development of the region. Working directly with industry we will develop specific training programs to serve the educational needs of both industry and our population. One example is the potential development of an aquaculture technician program in conjunction with industry professionals."

Funding for B.C. post-secondary institutions:

• $23.7 billion - amount of money invested in post-secondary education in B.C. since 2001.
• 57 per cent - the increase in total operating funding since 2001 across the university sector, along with a 26 per cent increase in total operating funding for the college and institute sector since 2001.
• $1.9 billion - the amount invested in support of post-secondary education this year.
• $10,090 - amount per full-time student funded by the provincial government, up from $8,440 in 2001-02.

Learn More:

BC Jobs Plan: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/

Media Contact:

Dan Gilmore
Communications Manager
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 952-6400