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Premier Christy Clark has announced a $13.5-million investment in a new trades training facility at North Island College that will help prepare students for in-demand jobs in the skilled trades. The Premier made the announcement today on behalf of the Province of British Columbia and the Honourable Navdeep Bains, the federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development.

The funding will support construction of a new trades training facility to replace the aging Vigar Vocational Centre, and consolidate programs to the Campbell River Heritage Lands Education Centre campus of North Island College. The project will provide space for students training in the aircraft sheet metal manufacturing and aircraft structures technician programs, heavy duty/commercial transport programs and the professional cook programs.

The project includes approximately 5,454 square metres (58,706 square feet) of new construction as well as a 4,072-square-metre (43,830-square-foot) renovation of campus space. When complete, the facility will include a campus commons and redesigned library, along with a First Nations lounge and study area with adjacent office space for the Elder in Residence.

Total investments in the $13.5-million project include:

• $5.76 million from the Government of Canada


• $5.76 million from the Government of British Columbia


• $2 million from North Island College

Government of Canada funding for the project is being allocated through the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund (SIF), which will enhance and modernize facilities on Canadian campuses and improve the environmental sustainability of these facilities. A total of $2 billion has been allocated to accelerate infrastructure at Canadian colleges and universities over the next three years.

The B.C. government is making record investments in modern, safe infrastructure projects throughout the province. In doing so, these construction projects are creating high-paying, family-supporting jobs. These investments are possible because of the fiscal plan of the B.C. government.

Nearly one million job openings are expected in British Columbia over the next decade, and Office of the Premier Ministry of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada Ministry of Advanced Education eight out of 10 of these openings will require post-secondary education. In-demand occupations requiring post-secondary education or training range from professional to management to trades.

North Island College has provided training and education for residents on northern Vancouver Island and the coast of British Columbia since 1975. The college has four campuses and a learning centre serving a population of 155,000 in a geographic region of approximately 80,000 square kilometres.

Construction is slated to get under way in early 2017, generating 53 direct and 29 indirect jobs, with substantial completion expected by spring 2018.

Original article from North Island College

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