l-r Frank Rossi (Dean of Trades CNC); Trent Bilodeau (CIM); Nevann LaMarre,  Jerome LaMarre (CIM North Central Branch Chair); Brenda Hooker (SD57 Trustee);  back row, Doug Borden CTC Coordinator

Prince George, B.C. – A bit of a Christmas  gift for the  College of New Caledonia’s Career Technical Centre program.

The Canadian Institute  of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum’s North Central BC Branch  presented a cheque for $10,000 for a  scholarship fund.

The Career and  Technical Centre has been in operation for over 15 years in Prince George, says  Doug Borden, program Coordinator, “It’s helped the youth in Prince George achieve their dreams and reach their full potential.”

The program operates  in partnership with School District 57.  As  part of their grade 12 year, eligible students can take two semesters at CNC and two at high school, graduating with both their Grade 12 and their first year of technical training.enroll in a trades train take a  trades training  semester at CNC .

Of course, there is a financial  cost to the program and while fees  are reduced because  of the partnership with SD 57,  there  is still  a cost.  That’s where the Jim Rose  Legacy fund  can help.

Named for the  original  coordinator and booster of the program,  the legacy fund is open to any student in the Career Technical Centre (CTC) program, attending the College of New Caledonia who has a demonstrated financial need.

Students attending the CTC program at the College of New Caledonia need to complete a college bursary application and must have successfully completed the first semester of their Grade 11 year before the tuition credit is granted.

SD57  Trustee Brenda Hooker  accepted the donation from  the CIM with sincere appreciation  “A scholarship can make such a huge difference to a student” says Hooker, “One may be capable and willing, but faces a financial barrier, and it’s so important  to offer that opportunity for them.”

The Canadian Institute of Mining Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM)  has donated more than $60 thousand dollars  to trades training over the years,  and has  put $15 thousand dollars into the Jim Rose Legacy Fund.  “The CTC program is right up our alley” says Trent Bilodeau of the CIM  “It’s local, in the area and the monies are coming from  mainly suppliers in the area and mines.  All these suppliers and mines, they have  families, they have kids and we want to see the kids have every opportunity   that  anyone else can have.”