The College of the Rockies (COTR) will receive $150,000 from the Ministry of Advanced Education to support training for workers affected by the Canfor mill slowdown in Canal Flats.

The funding — which is aligned with B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint — is provided to support towns and retrain workers affected by industry slowdowns or closures. A Community Transition Team is working with COTR to help identify the types of training that will best support future job prospects for Canal Flats workers. Training will complement the skills and experience the workers already have, along with helping them develop new skills.

“Industry slowdowns can be a hard on a community, and that is why we are working with the College of the Rockies to retrain workers,” said Minister of Energy and Mines and MLA for Kootenay East Bill Bennett on behalf of Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson. “Training will support the people of Canal Flats as they develop new skills to find high-demand careers and contribute to a diverse, strong and growing economy.”

COTR offers cutting-edge training technology and instruction to help students study toward certificates, diplomas and applied bachelor degrees. Approximately 2,100 full-time equivalent students study at the college each year.

“Our college is committed to caring for students and building a strong foundation for the future of our communities,” said College of the Rockies president David Walls. “This funding will benefit the workers of Canal Flats and help the college deliver top-quality education to help these workers find career success.”

Government launched B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint in April 2014 to align funding and programs with in-demand occupations. B.C. expects more than one million job openings by 2022. More than 78% of those jobs will require post-secondary education and 44% will be in skilled trades and technical occupations.

Media Contacts:

Stacey McGaghey Jones
Ministry of Advanced Education
Government Communications and Public Engagement
250 952-6400