Northwest Community College (NWCC) is receiving $269,850 toward the purchase of new training equipment that will prepare health-care and trades students with the skills needed to succeed in the workforce.

The new funding was announced by Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson during a visit to the NWCC campus in Terrace.

NWCC intends to purchase equipment such as an intravenous pump for health care students, an abrasive mitre saw for welding students and a snap-on vehicle scanner for heavy-duty mechanic students. The new equipment gives students the opportunity to have hands-on learning experience with equipment they will find at the workplace.

The Ministry of Advanced Education is targeting funding and programs to sectors that are in high demand for skilled workers. The 2024 Labour Market Outlook report projects that the health-care and social assistance industry is one of the top five industries for growth in the North Nechako region to 2024. Skilled tradespeople play an important role in supporting sectors that support a strong regional economy, including construction, forestry and logging, as well as mining and oil and gas extraction.

With the announcement of $269,850, government has provided more than $3 million to NWCC since the launch of B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint in 2014.

(flickr.com)

Quotes:

Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson ─

“New health-care and trades training equipment gives students hands-on experience using equipment that is the industry standard. Our government is ensuring students have the skills they need to take advantage of job opportunities in a range of sectors throughout our province.”

Northwest Community College president and CEO Ken Burt ─

“This investment in equipment is a boost to our training programs. It means that NWCC students are getting first-hand experience with the most current industry technologies. That builds confidence and instils flexibility as students enter or return to the workforce.”

MLA for Nechako Lakes John Rustad ─

“This funding for new training equipment will help Northwest Community College maintain industry and curriculum requirements and prepare students for jobs that support the regional economy.”

Northwest Community College welding student Kyle Baker ─

“This new equipment helps us keep up to the innovative technology being used in industry. The higher heat distribution allows us to weld in different situations compared to the older equipment.”

Quick Facts:

• There will be almost one million job openings in British Columbia over the next decade, and most of these openings will require post-secondary training.
• Approximately 42% of job openings will require college education or apprenticeship training.
• 36% will require university and/or significant work experience.
• 18% will require high school and/or occupation-specific training.

Learn More:

B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: http://ow.ly/YCyjt

B.C. 2024 Labour Market Outlook: http://ow.ly/YFiQS

NWCC trades programs:
https://www.nwcc.bc.ca/programs-courses/explore-our-programs/trades-rewarding-careers

NWCC health care assistant program: https://www.nwcc.bc.ca/program/health-care-assistant

A backgrounder follows.