PRINCE GEORGE and QUESNEL - Employers and students in northern B.C. will benefit from the expansion of trades and technology training centres at the College of New Caledonia's Prince George and Quesnel campuses, helping to meet the demand for skilled workers in B.C.

Dick Harris, MP for Cariboo-Prince George and Naomi Yamamoto, Minister of Advanced Education, joined executive, faculty, staff and students to celebrate completion of CNC's two new technical education centres (TEC). The day started with a celebration at the TEC building in Prince George, followed by an encore at the TEC facility in Quesnel.

CNC received nearly $30 million from the provincial and federal governments for these two projects through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, part of both governments' commitment to repair and expand research and educational facilities at post-secondary institutions.

The TEC building in Prince George houses training programs for trades such as welding, machinist, auto collision repair, industrial mechanic/millwright and plumbing. The new building is approx. 7,000 square metres and replaces the previous 49-year-old trades training building.

In Quesnel, the new TEC building - heated by clean geo-thermal energy - more than doubles the number of spaces available for trades and technical training. Programs offered include welding, carpentry, electrical, plumbing and horticulture.

The trades and technology centres were among 39 projects at post-secondary institutions throughout the province that were part of the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, a joint federal-provincial investment designed to renew infrastructure at post-secondary institutions across B.C. while also providing local jobs for communities.

Quotes:

John Bowman, president, College of New Caledonia -

"It's gratifying to finally officially open these buildings, which will have such a large impact on technical education training in northern B.C. for decades to come. We are grateful that the provincial and federal governments were able to fund these projects through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program."

Quick facts:

• The TEC building in Prince George includes eight shops, 11 classrooms and four computer labs as well as a student lounge and space for 24 instructors.
• It was designed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold standards, with a green roof of hardy plants instead of traditional roofing material.
• Some of its features include on-site storm water management, solar collectors for hot water, and an in-floor radiant heating and cooling system.
• The North Cariboo Community Campus in Quesnel opened in 2005, and is occupied by both the College of New Caledonia and the University of Northern B.C.
• Completion of the trades and technology centre completes Phase 2 of the Quesnel campus expansion project.

Learn more:

• College of New Caledonia: http://www.cnc.bc.ca/
• Trades training at CNC: http://www.cnc.bc.ca/CNC_Programs/Program_websites/CE/Trades.htm
• Knowledge Infrastructure Program: http://ic.gc.ca/knowledge-infrastructure
• The BC Jobs Plan: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/

Media Contacts:

Marc Black
Communications Director
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 952-6508

Stephanie Thomas
Special Assistant (Communications)
Office of the Honourable Gary Goodyear
Minister of State (Science and Technology)
613 960-7728