March 5, 2013 – The B.C. Ministry of Education and the Kamloops/Thompson Board of Education have signed a formal project agreement that clears the way for work to begin on the new $7.4-million trades training centre at NorKam Secondary.

The next steps include design development and seeking contract bids for the construction stage. Those contracts are expected to be awarded this summer, with construction of the new centre getting underway later this year. The new trades training centre is scheduled to open September 2014.

As part of BC’s Skills and Training Plan, the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training is providing $1.7 million for the centre. The Ministry of Education is investing $4.6 million and $1.1 million will be provided by the Kamloops/Thompson Board of Education. The new trades centre will increase the trades training capacity of the school by about 100 students, and provide a mix of skills training in the following areas:

• Power systems engineering
• Energy-efficient building technology
• Entry-level industrial skills
• Mining exploration, development and production
• Refrigeration and air-conditioning
• Water treatment technology
• Agricultural and silviculture technology

These programs will complement apprenticeship and skills training programs available to Kamloops high school students through Thompson Rivers University. Students from all 11 secondary schools in the district will be able to attend training programs offered at the centre.