November 27, 2015
Province Announces Plans for New Industrial Skills Trades Training Centre in Thompson
– – –New Centre Will Prepare Workers For Good Jobs in the North: Minister Allum
THOMPSON—The Manitoba government will partner with the Mystery Lake School Division and the University College of the North (UCN) to build a new trades training centre to help students take advantage of the good jobs created by Manitoba Hydro and provincial investments in northern infrastructure and mining, Education and Advanced Learning Minister James Allum announced here today.
“Skilled workers are in demand in northern Manitoba and quality training closer to home is the key to helping workers get those good jobs,” said Minister Allum. “By providing training opportunities in northern Manitoba, we are investing in the future of Manitoba.”
The new 19,500-sq.-ft. Industry Skills and Trades Training Centre will be located on land owned by the school division in close proximity to R.D. Parker Collegiate and the UCN Thompson Campus. The new facility will accommodate 126 apprentice/post-secondary students and 50 to 60 secondary students.
“Our government believes in the north and we will continue to invest in the north for generations to come,” said Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Steve Ashton. “Opportunities for good jobs in northern Manitoba mean that everyone in this province has an opportunity to succeed.”
The new centre will house a number of trades programs including electrical/electronic technology, civil/cad technician, heavy-duty equipment mechanics, instrumentation technicians, carpentry, electrical, plumbing and facilities technicians. High school programming and short-term market-driven programming will also be available.
Students will benefit from a 7,250-sq.-ft. heavy-duty equipment mechanics shop, and an additional 12,250 sq. ft. for trades and technology programming to support apprenticeship, R.D. Parker Collegiate industrial arts, UCN programs and related dual credit programming.
The minister noted the facility will offer a variety of in-demand trades and workplace skills programs on a rotating basis, and will address employer needs in a variety of trades, industrial skills and labour market requirements.
- 30 -