Students at the College of New Caledonia (CNC) will get skills for jobs using new industry-standard trades training equipment as a result of $1.2 million in funding, including a hydrostatic transmission trainer for the heavy duty mechanical trades program.

Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Mike Morris and Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond announced the funding for the new trades equipment at CNC on behalf of Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson.

“We want students in Prince George to have the real-world skills that employees here in the north need,” Morris said. “Investments in our students will ensure that they are positioned to support not only themselves but their families, communities and our provincial prosperity.”

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The $1.2 million investment will go toward purchasing new equipment for the metal fabrication, heavy duty mechanical trades, industrial mechanic, power engineering and electrical programs.

“With a strong and growing economy and an aging demographic, we know that there will be almost a million jobs openings in the next decade,” Bond said. “It is essential that we have training programs for critical in-demand jobs. Having industry standard equipment is a key component in making sure that students have the skills they need to become part of the labour force British Columbia will require.”

Government has invested more than $3.1 million since the launch of B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint in April 2014 toward new trades training equipment at CNC, as well as over $755,600 for 168 additional critical trades training seats.

“CNC is proud to work with government to create opportunities for students across our campuses to gain access to tools that will help them in their journey to career success,” said CNC president Henry Reiser. “This equipment will prepare students by giving them the skills employers look for and by enhancing their experiential learning, which reinforces a deeper understanding of the program.”

CNC has also received $72,000 in Blueprint funding for Trades Discovery programs to introduce high-school students and young adults to trades careers, as well as $200,000 to support people with disabilities to access and succeed in training aligned with in-demand jobs.

“CNC is using this funding to acquire new equipment and to continue to keep up with industry and curriculum needs,” said CNC dean of trades Frank Rossi. “It is important for our students to get hands-on experience using updated industry-standard equipment. Our faculty and students will definitely benefit from this new funding.”

Nearly one million job openings are expected in B.C. by 2025, and eight out of 10 of these openings will require post-secondary education. In-demand occupations requiring post-secondary education or training range from professional to management to trades.

“I have seen many changes in the last few years, since coming to CNC,” said Troy Scott, a fourth-year mechanical trades apprenticeship student at CNC. “The most significant of all is the equipment that has been given to this program. I have had the opportunity to work with it and learn about the modern equipment that industry uses today. I feel fortunate that I had this opportunity to use this equipment as part of my apprenticeship, and it has made me a better mechanic with current skills as a result.”

The funding announced today is part of the Blueprint commitment to invest $185 million in new trades training equipment and facilities. B.C.’s Blueprint was launched in 2014 to connect British Columbians with the training and education they need to get in-demand jobs that support a diverse, strong and growing economy.

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Learn More:

B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: https://www.workbc.ca/Training-Education/B-C-s-Skills-for-Jobs-Blueprint/Learn-about-Blueprint.aspx

BC Jobs Plan: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/

2025 Labour Market Outlook: https://www.workbc.ca/Labour-Market-Information/B-C-s-Economy/Reports.aspx

CNC trades programs: http://www.cnc.bc.ca/programs-courses/trades.htm