Prince George, B.C. – The top brass from Canfor were in Prince George City Council Chamber this evening to seek support for their vision to develop a new trades centre.
Don Kayne, the President and CEO of Canfor was joined by Alistair Cook Senior Vice President, Wood Products Operations – Canada in calling on Council for its support for their vision for the former Rustad Sawmill site.
Their vision is to have a trades school that will provide hands on experience and links with existing industry and as has been the sales pitch in the past, the idea is to train young people from the north in the north because it makes it easier to retain trained personnel.
Kayne says the value of the land is expected to be in the $10 million dollar range, and there would need to be an equal contribution from other sources, including Government. The on going operational costs would come from the Provincial Government. The support of Council is needed in order to secure funding from other sources.. Kayne promises it willbe a "green" campus and the hope is that it would see the doors open to accept its first students in September of 2013.
Kayne says Mount Milligan mine construction is already seeing financial pressures brought on by a lack of a trained workforce. He says costs have been boosted by about 20%.
There will need to be collaborative work with CNC and UNBC and other post secondary institution to ensure the new centre is doing the right thing for the region. BCIT, Northern Lights, and Thompson River University meet this Friday night at CNC to talk about this very issue.
The presenters say there needs to be more educational seats made available for trades training, and while BCIT ‘s program are good, they are very expensive, and they draw young people out of the North.
“What a great news story” said Councillor Dave Wilbur “I can’t think of anything better for the north”
Council voted unanimously in favour of the resolution which throws support behind this idea.
Industrial Workforce Training Resolution
WHEREAS the growing workforce challenges facing BC’s interior resource industries are well known.
WHEREAS economic recovery and growing global demand for Northern British Columbia’s products and services are expected to occur at the same time as the leading edge of a retirement surge in British Columbia’s ageing industrial workforce will begin.
WHEREAS a trained workforce will be needed if the economic promise of British Columbia’s Northern communities is to be realized.
WHEREAS Governments, industry, school districts, post-secondary education providers, First Nations and labour must take collaborative steps now to supply the workforce of tomorrow.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Prince George, through Mayor and Council supports and welcomes new multi-institution trades training facilities in the city of Prince George.
AND
BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Prince George, through Mayor and Council urges all levels of Government, industry, post-secondary education providers, First Nations and labour to work together in a united fashion to expand trades training opportunities in the City of Prince George and Northern British Columbia.
Comments
Just as I thought; Canfor wants taxpayers money so they can train their workers!
One of the biggest reasons canfor is shirt on trades people. Is the lack of apprentices they have. The mill that im at has one electrical apprentice. Other mills have none.
Good for Canfor and the BID Group for stepping up! we need more companies like these. A third major education facility will be great for Prince George.
@r_u_serious. It isn’t just the lack of apprentices at present. It isn’t just Canfor.
All local companies (as well as those further afield) have studiously avoided apprenticeship training for the past twenty years or more. It is now coming back to bite them in the ass. Looks good on them.
@joeboy. So very true
A third education facility that will be underfunded too? You bet!
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