Proponent Hopeful Local Trades Training Centre Will Be Part Of Labour Shortage Solution
Prince George, BC – Proponents of a technical trades training centre on a portion of the shuttered Rustad sawmill site hope their proposal will be part of any solution to come out of an upcoming workforce roundtable to deal with skilled labour shortages.
The Vanderhoof- based BID Group of Companies and Canfor propose turning off a 10-acre parcel of Rustad’s BCR properties, along with several donated large buildings, to the provincial government for a ‘hands on’ training centre.
Speaking on the Meisner program on CFIS 93.1fm this morning, BID spokesperson, Brian Fehr, says discussions with the government, CNC, BCIT, and local industry occurred through the winter. On April 13th, at a meeting involving cabinet ministers and industry reps in Prince George, Fehr says, "That’s where we stopped and we have decided to go a bit different way."
At the end of this week, Jobs, Tourism, and Innovation Minister, Pat Bell, will host a workforce roundtable to examine what the industry needs are, where the training shortfalls lie, and whether it’s a matter of adding new seats to existing programs or if new infrastructure is needed. CNC, BCIT, Northern Lights College, and Thompson Rivers University officials, along with ministry and industry reps, will all be involved.
Fehr believes the Rustad proposal can work in collaboration with CNC and does not overlap the local college’s offerings. "I look forward to seeing how we can make sure that somehow the Rustad solution is part of the (overall) solution."
Fehr emphasizes that ‘capital is mobile’ and if those looking to invest in our region and province see a problem – like major labour shortages – not being addressed, they will simply leave. "They’ll go to other countries," he says. "These mines will open somewhere else, (like) Peru and Bolivia."
Comments
This proposal generates lots of questions. It is my understanding that there was very little consultation with existing educational institutions and that this came as quite a surprise to them. They have since washed their hands of the proposal. I also wonder if the province would be assuming responsibility for eventual site clean up or rehabilitation, especially if the land involved includes the former P.G. Wood Preservers land.
So just what classes will be offered at this facility ? Are they not already done at CNC or other colleges in the Northern region ?
The answer to the trade shortage isnt another school. Its the lack of instructors. The trade schools have huge waiting lists because of thr lack of instruction time. Ive been through the system and it takes for ever due to classes
Tell Canfor to clean up the site before any talks can proceed! Then ask them why they have so few apprentices if they are worried about a shortage that they have known about for over a decade.
Apprenticeships don’t work at Canfor or any other union shop! They want 25 year olds not 55 year olds as seniority dictates. That’s why you will see lots of folks from Europe heading this way soon!
The proponents are looking to get what they want using tax dollars!
Is Brian Fehr not also the co-owner of the former Haldi Road School, the proposed site for a women’s recovery centre that is also to be operated on tax dollars?
Has anyone heard what trades we are going to be short off? I have asked this question a few times and not an answer from anyone. For the past five years or so the word was ââthere are a shortage of tradesââ yet the people with trades went to Alberta for work, we keep turning out apprentices and not many get hired. Are people thinking that an equipment operator is a trade? That type of skill can be taught on the job after the initial training form CNC. And I assume this because mining was mentioned. So what type of trades/skills donât we have? Oh and this saw mill turned into a college isââ a money in the pocket of-some-ones scamââ. Let the mining developers go to Bolivia I am sure there are lots of trade/skilled people down there.âmore to come- oh I am a tradeâs person.
Has anyone heard what trades we are going to be short off? I have asked this question a few times and not an answer from anyone. For the past five years or so the word was ââthere are a shortage of tradesââ yet the people with trades went to Alberta for work, we keep turning out apprentices and not many get hired. Are people thinking that an equipment operator is a trade? That type of skill can be taught on the job after the initial training form CNC. And I assume this because mining was mentioned. So what type of trades/skills donât we have? Oh and this saw mill turned into a college isââ a money in the pocket of-some-ones scamââ. Let the mining developers go to Bolivia I am sure there are lots of trade/skilled people down there.âmore to come- oh I am a tradeâs person.
sorry for the double post
You probally will see Marshall Smith heading this project.
Quote: “CNC, BCIT, Northern Lights College, and Thompson Rivers University officials, along with ministry and industry reps, will all be involved.”
end quote.
Finally starting to make some sense, although I still think that the “Proponents” are not strictly charitable philanthropists in this venture.
Hey, I’m all for free enterprise, but is there a genuine need for this additional training space? And to those who assume that there would not be much soil remediation required on a former sawmill site, all I can suggest is that you have not spent much time at an industrial scale sawmill that has been in place more than forty years. Remember that we did not have strict environmental requirements in the sixties.
metalman.
morning
frank1, i can tell you that my trade (h.d. mechanic) is wanting very badly, companies are cold calling and poaching from one another. it seems that over the last twenty years all the kids wanted IT type jobs and werent wanting or willing to do the hard work.
suits me fine, make wicked money and choose where i work.
Comments for this article are closed.