Ground was officially broken today to mark the start of construction for the new $30-million Industrial Training and Technology Centre at Thompson Rivers University (TRU).

Kamloops-South-Thompson MLA and Transportation Minister Todd Stone was joined by Cloverdale-Langley City MP John Aldag, on behalf of Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, as well as Alan Shaver, president of TRU.

The new 5,344-square-metre centre will allow the university to expand its trades and technology programs by an additional 550 full-time equivalent student spaces (FTEs), for a total of approximately 2,142 FTEs. The renovated space in the School of Trades and Technology Building will be used by the architectural and engineering technology program.

The Government of Canada contributed $13.25 million and the B.C. Ministry of Advanced Education provided $7.03 million toward the $30-million cost of the project. TRU and donors, including Western Economic Diversification Canada, contributed an additional $9.72 million.

(flickr.com)

Completion of the Industrial Training and Technology Centre is expected in the spring of 2018 with occupancy in the fall of 2018. Construction of the new centre is expected to generate 108 direct and 82 indirect jobs for the region.

The funding is supported by the Government of Canada through the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, which will enhance and modernize facilities on Canadian campuses and improve the environmental sustainability of these facilities.

The total investment in the Province of British Columbia through the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund is $671 million including:

• $256 million from the Government of Canada.
• $269 million from the Province of British Columbia.
• $146 million from post-secondary institutions and donors.

The B.C. government is making record investments in modern, safe infrastructure projects throughout the province, and in doing so, these construction projects are creating well-paying, family-supporting jobs.

Nearly one million job openings are expected in B.C. over the next decade, 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.

Quotes:

Premier Christy Clark –

“The new Industrial Training and Technology Centre will give students the skills to be first in line for in-demand careers in the trades. Because we have built a strong and growing economy, we’re able to make significant investments in our future at post-secondary institutions throughout the province.”

John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale – Langley City, on behalf of The Hon. Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development –

“This is an important project for Thompson Rivers University and for the people in this region. The new Industrial and Training and Technology Centre will create a legacy of learning and provide much needed space for the continued success of the university. Those trained here will go on to help the economy of British Columbia, and we know when British Columbia succeeds, Canada succeeds. We are modernizing facilities on Canadian campuses and improving lifelong learning and skills training for students across the country.”

Todd Stone, MLA for Kamloops-South Thompson –

“The ground breaking event today is the major milestone towards building an even stronger future for trades students at Thompson Rivers University. This project will give students the opportunity to learn in a state-of-art facility and graduate with the necessary tools and skills for a career in the trades. Through these strategic investments and our strong fiscal plan, we are building a strong B.C. together.”

Terry Lake, MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson –

“Investing in the training and education of our students is an investment in our community, our families and our province’s future. Trades students become the workers who help to build our strong, growing and diverse economy.”

Alan Shaver, president, Thompson Rivers University –

“This new facility will enable Thompson Rivers University to co-locate trades and technology programs, a move that supports our university’s contribution of relevant education and research to various industry sectors in Canada. Because we have an excellent working knowledge of the skill sets that local industries and employers need to sustain their businesses, TRU can provide the education for the rewarding careers our students deserve in the trades and technology sectors.”

Justin Trodd, Thompson Rivers University student as electrical apprentice –

“The addition of this new trades building will improve our labs and classrooms, and will provide a much-needed expansion of the programing at TRU so that more students like myself can come here, enjoy this beautiful city, and learn from some of the very best in a space that directly reflects the quality of education that we are all looking for.”

Quick Facts:

• The centre will be built to meet LEED Gold building standard, the Wood First Act and Apprentices on Public Project in BC policy.
• Currently, there are over 1,500 seats in construction trades, mechanical trades, industrial electrician and industrial instrumentation technology programs at TRU.

Learn More:

Canada’s Innovation Agenda: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/062.nsf/eng/home

Innovation Agenda backgrounder: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1084739

Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/051.nsf/eng/home

Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund backgrounder: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1105379

B.C. Skills for Jobs Blueprint: https://www.workbc.ca/getmedia/4c54646a-93fa-4566-b148-f43a3f27b240/Booklet_BCsBlueprint_web_140428.pdf.aspx

Follow Minister Navdeep Bains on Twitter: @MinisterISED

Follow BC Jobs Plan: Twitter: @BCJobsPlan