November 22, 2016 – A joint federal/provincial investment of $6.21-million will help erect a new trades training centre at Okanagan College‘s Vernon, B.C. campus.

At 13,450-sf, this centre will “address a shortage of available trades training shops in the region by providing a purpose-built space”, the province states. It will include multipurpose trades shops and supporting space, a dedicated welding shop and multi-use trade space for the electrical program and others, as well as Aboriginal and Women in Trades Training programs.

“This new space will allow us to offer a wider range of programs for students, as well as increase our capacity to train more individuals who will be job-ready to meet the needs of local employers,” said Jim Hamilton, president of Okanagan College.

The centre will have capacity for about 150 trades students, compared to the existing off-site leased trades facility that supports around 108 students per year.

“As a student, who has been training in a facility off campus, I think it will be hugely beneficial to future students to have the opportunity to take their training in a brand new purpose-built facility on campus,” said Harrison Coe, an electrical student at the college. “I think they will take even greater pride in where they are and what they are doing.”

The funding for this project includes $2.66 million from the Government of Canada and $2.88 million from the province, while Okanagan College will contribute $670,000.

Construction is expected to get underway shortly, with completion scheduled for spring 2018. The centre will be built to LEED Gold certification, B.C. adds, and construction is expected to create 25 direct and 13 indirect jobs for the region.

See other recent trades training news from Okanagan College HERE.

Photos courtesy Government of B.C.

B.C.’s Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson (left) and Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster (centre) made the investment announcement during a recent visit to the Okanagan College Vernon campus.