Students at Selkirk College will benefit from improved and upgraded campus facilities, thanks to $556,000 in capital funding that is part of government's investment in B.C.'s post-secondary infrastructure this year.

The upgrade work will ensure infrastructure and operational systems are functioning at optimal levels at three sites: the main campus in Castlegar and the Tenth Street and Silver King campuses in Nelson.

The college and government also announced today how $457,000 in one-time funding -http://ow.ly/dbutB - will be used to offer short-term training in the region. The college expects to create seats in a variety of fields over the coming year, including administrative skills, early childhood education, and introduction to practical nursing, along with trades foundation programs.

B.C. taxpayers are providing close to $26 million for Selkirk's operations this year - including an allowance for general infrastructure maintenance - up from $20.3 million in 2001-02. The number of funded student spaces at the college has increased over six per cent over that time. Over $10 million in capital investments have been made at the college since 2001, including renewal of the Tenth Street campus' residence and music hall, and expansion of the Castlegar Aviation Centre.

Quotes:

John Slater, MLA for Boundary-Similkameen -

"Selkirk College has done a tremendous job preparing today's students for tomorrow's jobs - this funding will go a long way towards helping them build on an impressive record."

Angus Graeme, Selkirk president and CEO -

"Government's investments in our facilities and in short-term training programs for our learners and in response to needs in our community, is timely and much appreciated.

"Our maintenance department works diligently to support state-of-the-art learning in an aging facility, so we will benefit from a one-time increase to our capital grant. The additional training funds will augment our instructional staff's ability to provide skills development programming leading to employment for our learners in areas of identified demand."

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