Home »
$160k to college for trades and technology gear
College of the Rockies is one of 19 colleges throughout B.C. to receive $160,000 to buy up-to-date equipment for trades and technology programs the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training announced this morning (June 6).
“Investing in up-to-date equipment gives our students the skills they’ll need for the opportunities that lay ahead. As our community continues to grow, it’s important we help build the skilled workforce to meet local demand,” said College of the Rockies president David Walls.
“Student success is the key ingredient to creating, building and maintaining the best B.C.,” said Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training. “Our strong economy and the technology driving it are rapidly evolving. Investing in students, skills and state-of-the-art training equipment at our province’s post-secondary institutions is a win-win.”
Trades and technology workers are in high demand. The 2018 B.C. Labour Market Outlook projects about 82,300 tech-related job openings and about 71,000 trades openings in the province in the next decade.
Government funding this year totalled $3 million, with Castlegar’s Selkirk College also receiving funds, originally awarded in fall 2018.
New equipment includes computerized plasma cutters for College of the Rockies’ welder program, and a rock truck for Selkirk’s heavy mechanical program.
“Providing students studying trades with modern training equipment is integral to their opportunities and our economic success. I’m proud to be part of a government making these investments at Selkirk College and College of the Rockies,” said Michelle Mungall, MLA for Nelson-Creston.
“The experience trades students get in their classrooms, labs and kitchens is so important to set them up for successful careers. When students have access to the most-up-to-date equipment, it’s really building skills that employers need, and that will allow them to excel in their future careers,” added Shelley Gray, CEO, Industry Training Authority.
Lead image: One of COTR’s trades and technology training spaces. e-KNOW file photo
e-KNOW
