Construction starts on CNC training facility

The College of New Caledonia (CNC) officially began work today for a new $15-million heavy mechanical trades training facility at its Prince George campus.

The 2,326-square-metre (approximately 25,000-square-feet) facility will replace leased facilities and accommodate 251 existing full-time equivalent (FTE) spaces and up to 48 new student FTEs in the heavy-duty equipment technician and truck and transport mechanics program. The new facility will provide up-to-date facilities for students to develop the skills they will need for high-demand jobs.

The project is being funded equally by the province and the Ottawa with each chipping in $6.9 million and CNC, which is contributing $1.2 million.

“For nearly 50 years, CNC has played an integral role in developing the workforce in northern B.C.,” said Henry Reiser, CNC president. “The college has a history of working collaboratively with our partners in government, and local and regional members of industry to determine training needs. Our tailored training programs enable students to develop skills they need to secure well-paying jobs that support our communities. ”

MLAs Shirley Bond and Mike Morris helped kick off the official start of construction.

“CNC’s new heavy-mechanical trades-training facility will prepare our workforce with the skills they need to access jobs that support their families and meet the future labour market demands in northern B.C.,” said Bond.

Completion of the new heavy mechanical trades training facility is expected in the spring of 2018. Construction of the new facility is expected to generate 53 direct and 41 indirect jobs for the region.

“CNC’s new heavy mechanical trades training facility will give students the skills to be first in line for in-demand careers in the trades,” said Morris. “British Columbia’s strong and growing economy is enabling us to make targeted infrastructure investments in our post-secondary institutions.”