She says it’s about the need to support job creation.
“This is about ensuring students have the right skills to be successful in their careers,” Minister of Advanced Education, Naomi Yamamoto said during the College of New Caledonia Phase II grand opening, Tuesday.
Yamamoto spoke to close to 100 supporters, highlighting the need for skilled trades workers.
“We’re going to need to fill one million skilled positions in the next decade,” she said.
CNC received nearly $30 million from the provincial and federal governments for two projects (Quesnel and Prince George trade centres) through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program.
In the Gold Pan City, 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 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.
“Our government’s investment in post-secondary infrastructure has given the College of New Caledonia’s students and researchers the facilities they need to be global leaders in their fields,” Cariboo Prince George MP Dick Harris said.
“This project will allow the College of New Caledonia to strengthen its capacity and build on its reputation as a leading institution of higher learning.”
Post speeches attendees were treated to a tour of the facility.
“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,” CNC president John Bowman said.
“We are grateful that the provincial and federal governments were able to fund these projects through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program.”