Premier Christy Clark today announced a $13.5-million investment in a new trades training facility at North Island College that will help prepare students for in-demand jobs in the skilled trades.

The Premier made the announcement today on behalf of the Province of British Columbia and the Honourable Navdeep Bains, the federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development.  

The funding will support construction of a new trades training facility to replace the aging Vigar Vocational Centre, and consolidate programs to the Campbell River Heritage Lands Education Centre campus of North Island College. The project will provide space for students training in the aircraft sheet metal manufacturing and aircraft structures technician programs, heavy duty/commercial transport programs and the professional cook programs.

The project includes approximately 5,454 square metres (58,706 square feet) of new construction as well as a 4,072-square-metre (43,830-square-foot) renovation of campus space. When complete, the facility will include a campus commons and redesigned library, along with a First Nations lounge and study area with adjacent office space for the Elder in Residence.

Total investments in the $13.5-million project include:

• $5.76 million from the Government of Canada.
• $5.76 million from the Government of British Columbia.
• $2 million from North Island College.

Government of Canada funding for the project is being allocated through the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund (SIF), which will enhance and modernize facilities on Canadian campuses and improve the environmental sustainability of these facilities. A total of $2 billion has been allocated to accelerate infrastructure at Canadian colleges and universities over the next three years.

The B.C. government is making record investments in modern, safe infrastructure projects throughout the province. In doing so, these construction projects are creating high-paying, family-supporting jobs. These investments are possible because of the fiscal plan of the B.C. government.

Nearly one million job openings are expected in British Columbia 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.

North Island College has provided training and education for residents on northern Vancouver Island and the coast of British Columbia since 1975. The college has four campuses and a learning centre serving a population of 155,000 in a geographic region of approximately 80,000 square kilometres.

Construction is slated to get under way in early 2017, generating 53 direct and 29 indirect jobs, with substantial completion expected by spring 2018.

(flickr.com)

Quotes:

The Hon. Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development –

“This historic investment by the Government of Canada is a down payment on the government’s vision to position Canada as a global centre for innovation. That means making Canada a world leader in turning ideas into solutions, science into technologies, skills into jobs and start-up companies into global successes. Our investment in North Island College will create conditions that are conducive to innovation and long-term growth, which will in turn keep the Canadian economy globally competitive.”

Christy Clark, Premier of British Columbia –

“We are number one in the country for job creation and many of those jobs will require education in the skilled trades. The new trades training facility in Campbell River will help ensure Vancouver Island students are able to build a future in Canada’s leading economy.”

Don McRae, MLA for Comox Valley –

“Consolidating the Campbell River campus of North Island College will provide students with an efficient and up-to-date learning environment, and enable them to focus on building the skills they will need to secure in-demand jobs. I look forward to seeing the new trades training facility take shape.”

John Bowman, president, North Island College –

“The new facilities will transform the delivery of North Island College programs and services in Campbell River. Trades and apprenticeship training students will have access to state-of-the-art learning spaces and equipment. In addition, the renovated and reconfigured NIC and Timberline Secondary school zones within the campus will enable distinctive and separate adult and secondary-school age learning environments.

“We are grateful to the governments of British Columbia and Canada for providing the infrastructure funding necessary to enable students from Campbell River and the North Island region to prepare for careers in their own communities.”

Cheryl O’Connell, Dean of Trades and Technology, North Island College –

“The consolidation project is a result of years of dedication and commitment to establishing a multi-disciplinary training campus in Campbell River serving learners in our region, from across Canada and internationally. The expansion will result in all trades programming in Campbell River being based out of one locale providing students, such as Darren Smith, with the opportunity to complete their apprenticeship training within a facility which provides ease of access to student resources and supports while pursuing their applied training within a technically advanced college environment.”

Darren Smith, North Island College heavy duty mechanics student –

“A new facility in Campbell River is big news for trades students in Campbell River. Having taken welding at NIC’s main campus and my first year of heavy duty mechanics at the Vigar site, I know trades students will appreciate being together, close to amenities, at the main campus. Plus, it’s great for students like me who hope to finish our training in the new facility.”

Quick Facts:

• The Government of Canada’s Innovation Agenda is designed to ensure Canada is globally competitive in promoting research, translating ideas into new products and services, accelerating business growth and propelling entrepreneurs from the startup phase to international success.
• The targeted, short-term investments under the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund will promote economic activity across Canada and help Canada’s universities and colleges develop highly skilled workers, act as engines of discovery and collaborate on innovations that help Canadian companies compete and grow internationally.
• The Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund supports the Government of Canada’s climate change objectives by encouraging sustainable and green infrastructure projects.
• As part of B.C.’s B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, the provincial government has provided North Island College with an additional $464,550 for 105 critical trades seats and $1.2 million for new industry standard training equipment.
• The new specialized trades training facility at North Island College is part of the commitment by the provincial government to invest $185 million in trades training facilities and equipment throughout the province as outlined in the Blueprint.

Learn More:

Canada’s Innovation Agenda: 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: 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: www.workbc.ca/training-education/b-c-s-skills-for-jobs-blueprint.aspx

Follow the Hon. Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development on Twitter: @MinisterISED

Follow BC Jobs Plan on Twitter: @BCJobsPlan