December 2, 2013
Premier Announces Historic Investments in Northern Education
– – –Province Invests in Campus, Skills Training Facility Expansion
CRANBERRY PORTAGE—Students from across the north who come to study and train at Frontier Collegiate Institute will soon have a new 57,000-square-foot campus expansion and receive valuable skills training, Premier Greg Selinger announced here today.
“Our government’s commitment to add 75,000 workers to the labour force by 2020 starts with ensuring every student can get quality education and training opportunities,” said Premier Selinger. “Our investments in education are building more schools, hiring more teachers and increasing opportunities for students to get the skills they need to build their future here in our great province.”
“Frontier Collegiate Institute has been providing quality educational opportunities for students in over 30 communities in northern Manitoba for almost 50 years,” said Ray Derksen, chief superintendent, Frontier School Division. “We’re extremely pleased the Manitoba government is investing in our school, so we can continue to uphold and expand this proud tradition.”
Grand Chief David Harper of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, which represents 65,000 people living in 30 northern Manitoba communities stated, “Investments in education and training are the key to advancing First Nation participation in northern economic growth. The practice of ensuring that northern residents are adequately trained and hired provides opportunity for our community members and promotes self-sufficiency for First Nation communities.”
“We estimate that northern Manitoba will need 2,000 to 2,500 skilled young people for all industrial jobs during the next five years,” said Doug Lauvstad of the Northern Manitoba Sector Council. “Working with the province, the Northern Mining Academy, University College of the North, industry and other partners, we are pleased to take up this challenge.”
The expanded campus will include a new and expanded power mechanic facility that will provide enhanced skill-based training for students, and skill development and training opportunities relevant to northern rural communities.
“This is a critical investment that will help provide opportunities to match skills training with specific employment opportunities in the north that will lead to good jobs for Manitobans,” said the premier. “Construction will create the equivalent of one year of employment for 216 people,” he said.
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