March 13, 2011

A new $8.2-million Trades Training Centre at North Island College (NIC) has officially opened its doors to students and faculty, providing the North Island’s apprentices an educational opportunity that is not only closer to home but, boasts the B.C. government, at one of the best-equipped trades training facilities in the province.

“Our government has invested in innovation and infrastructure to improve the quality of life for Canadians and set the foundation for economic prosperity,” said John Duncan, minister of Indian affairs and northern development, MP for Vancouver Island North. “This investment created jobs for people at a critical period while improving the infrastructure that North Island College will need for years to come.”

“This is a very impressive and vital facility that will benefit apprenticeship students, employers and residents of the Comox Valley and North Island both now and in the future,” said Don McRae, MLA for Comox Valley. “This is also one of the greenest buildings in the valley, and I commend North Island College for their commitment to environmental sustainability.”

The centre offers a number of training opportunities to current and prospective students and, in many cases, is providing North Island students with the chance to study closer to home. It is a LEED Gold project (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design), using 60-70% less energy than typical buildings its size. NIC has also committed to preserving part of the surrounding woodland, equal to the footprint of the building, as part of their green initiative.