January 11, 2017 – A joint federal-provincial investment of $10 million is being funnelled towards College of the Rockies (with its main campus in Cranbrook, B.C.) for a new trades-training facility.

The 19,400-sf facility will consolidate and increase capacity by 43 full-time equivalent spaces for a total of 325 full-time spaces for the electrical, millwright and heavy-duty equipment technician programs, the province notes.

“A lot of companies are looking to increase their diversity and are interested in hiring more women with a skilled trade,” said Maya Strelloff, College of the Rockies electrical foundation trades student. “A new trades building that is at the main College of the Rockies campus, with all of the other students, can make it more appealing for women to consider trades training.”

With a 36,600-sf trades yard and an engine lab for the heavy-duty equipment mechanic and technician, and automotive-service technician programs, the new building will be designed to LEED Gold standard, making it more energy efficient.

“The addition of this new facility will allow us to further expand our ability to provide trades’ training that helps our students to reach their goals, secure careers in high-demand fields and to serve the needs of our communities and industry partners,” said David Walls, College of the Rockies president and CEO.

Construction should wrap up in Spring 2018 and about 35 direct and 21 indirect jobs are expected to be created as a result of the project, B.C. adds.