Dick Harris, Member of Parliament for Cariboo-Prince George, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced Government of Canada support to northern B.C.’s mining sector.
“Our Government understands that a productive mining industry requires skilled workers to remain competitive,” said MP Harris. “This investment in heavy equipment simulators not only benefits the industry, but will create jobs for Canadians.”
The College of New Caledonia will purchase heavy-haul truck and front-end loader simulators to provide virtual training for a total of 50 students each year, as part of the Mining Industry Certificate Program.
The program will be available to students to train for employment as heavy equipment operators in surface mining operations located in northern British Columbia.
The fifteen-week training program will be delivered in Burns Lake, Fort St. James and Mackenzie Campuses this year, followed by programs at all campuses throughout the College region.
Federal funding of $182,063 is being provided under the Western Diversification Program.
The new equipment will help enhance business productivity and competitiveness through training initiatives that will provide mining companies with access to skilled sources of labour.
“The College of New Caledonia is extremely pleased to receive funding from Western Diversification to purchase training simulators for our Mining Certificate Program,” said Dr. Lynn Jacques, Vice President Academic at the College of New Caledonia. “Because of this direct support from the Federal government, learners will gain valuable skills that will provide for increased opportunities for jobs in the mining sector.
Through this funding, The College of New Caledonia is able to bring advanced technical training to remote communities and to the large number of Aboriginal learners in Northern British Columbia.”
The College of New Caledonia provides a comprehensive range of university credit, technical, career and vocational programs. The College enrolls about 5,000 students each year (all campuses) in approximately 90 distinct programs in business and management, community and continuing education, health sciences, adult basic education / upgrading, trades and industry, social services, and technologies. The main campus is in Prince George with satellite campuses in Burns Lake, Mackenzie, Quesnel, Vanderhoof and Fort St. James, as well several smaller communities.