Mackenzie, B.C.- The College of New Caledonia’s  Mackenzie Campus  has  received a $300 thousand dollar boost for a  30 week skills training program  to  help Employment Insurance eligible  participants.

The  program  will  provide  experience in the public works sector to help them find full time work.

The training provides classroom and field instruction  at CNC’s Mackenzie  campus as well as field experience with the District of Mackenzie and the McLeod Lake Indian Band’s  public works departments.

The program is a benefit to   participants  as well as to  local  governments  as  those who take the training  will have new skills they can add to their resumes,  while local governments and contractors will have a crop of trained and motivated employees they can hire to step into positions with the tools they need to succeed.

Phil Rigby is one of the  participants in the program  and says he  couldn’t pass up the opportunity ” It will allow me to expand my skills both mentally as well as physically ”

When  they have  completed the course,   trainees will  new knowledge  about  the maintenance and repair of buildings,  roads,  sidewalks,  water and sewer systems  as well as parks and recreation facilities.