The work will ensure campus infrastructure and operational systems are performing at optimal levels, which is important to keep our campuses in top operating shape. Work includes upgrades to the fire protection systems in the college's library.

The college and government also announced today how $500,000 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 programs for future miners, drywall finishers, plumbers, and workers in the shipbuilding sector.

B.C. taxpayers are providing $59 million for operations at Douglas College this year - including an allowance for general infrastructure maintenance - up from $43.5 million in 2001-02. The number of funded student spaces at the college has increased 14.6 per cent since 2003-04.

More than $44 million has been invested in capital projects at the college since 2001, including funding for construction of a classroom and laboratory building at the college's Coquitlam campus and renovations and renewal at the New Westminster campus.

Quotes:

Douglas Horne, MLA for Coquitlam-Burke Mountain -

"This investment in facilities at Douglas College demonstrates our government's commitment to excellence in higher education. It means that students will be better-equipped to enter the workforce upon completion of their studies."

Scott McAlpine, president of Douglas College -

"Our short-term skills upgrading programs put on by our training group help get workers job-ready to meet the demands of a changing market. Government funding is critical to be able to quickly provide the kind of training our industries need today."

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