January 22, 2015 — B.C. Premier Christy Clark recently announced $375,028 for the College of New Caledonia (CNC) to purchase new trades training equipment in 2014-15 to support students studying in-demand fields that are critical to the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) sector and other industries.

This equipment will include a fiber fusion splicer for the electrician students, updated welding machines for the welding students and a PRO Link Ultra Elite Scanner for the heavy-duty mechanic students.

“Students at the College of New Caledonia will directly benefit from our investment in new trades training equipment,” said Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson. “Hands-on experience using the latest industry standard tools means students will continue to graduate with skills that are being sought after by employers.”

The $375,028 is part of B.C.’s Blueprint commitment of $185 million for trades training infrastructure and equipment at public post-secondary institutions. The funding allocation is based on consultations with post-secondary institutions, the Industry Training Authority (ITA), as well as the most recent labour-market data, stated the province.

Launched in April 2014, B.C.’s Skills for Blueprint outlines how the province plans to re-engineer the education system to make sure education and training aligns with B.C. jobs.