July 14, 2009
Bonneyville, Alberta
The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, today announced federal funding of more than $1.3 million towards the Trades Training Lab within the Canadian Natural Learning Centre to support apprenticeship training opportunities for area residents and increase the availability of skilled workers for local industries.
" Our Government recognizes that a skilled workforce is vital to fostering growth and enabling Canadian businesses to remain competitive in the global economy, " said Minister Prentice. " Today's investment will support economic development in the region by strengthening opportunities for trades training and helping to meet the long-term demand for skilled workers. "
Funding from Western Economic Diversification will contribute towards retrofitting and equipping the Trades Training Lab located in the Canadian Natural Learning Centre. The project will involve acquiring equipment such as electrical and threading machines, as well as retrofits to install trade stations and occupational health and safety stations-all of which will help strengthen the capacity of the lab to provide more advanced trades training to make people living in northeastern Alberta and northwestern Saskatchewan more employable.
" The people of Bonnyville are very appreciative for the support the federal government has provided through their investment towards the retrofitting and equipping of the Trades Training Lab, " said Mayor Ernie Isley. " By providing trades training opportunities in our region, we strengthen the ability to retain local youth and non-traditional workers, hence bringing forth many positive industry benefits, particularity in the oil and gas sector. "
By improving access to trades and apprenticeship training, especially among under-represented groups such as Aboriginal peoples, women and youth, the project is expected to address the forecasted labour shortage in the region's oil and gas sector. This will have a major economic impact on the Town of Bonnyville and surrounding communities.
" The MD of Bonnyville as a "Community Partner" with the Town of Bonnyville and the Bonnyville Agricultural Society, wish to thank the federal government, for their support and dedication to our Trades Training Lab, " said Reeve Ed Rondeau. " Industry access to skilled labour will assist in the economic growth of our region, and enhance the quality of life in our communities. "
The investment from Western Economic Diversification will contribute towards this project's total cost of more than $1.5 million.
The Canadian Natural Learning Centre is a post-secondary institution that primarily serves the residents of northeastern Alberta and northwestern Saskatchewan. It is located within the multi-use Bonnyville and District Centennial Centre, which is a joint initiative among the Municipal District of Bonnyville, the Town of Bonnyville and the Bonnyville Agriculture Society.
Western Economic Diversification works with the provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West and represents the interests of western Canadians in national decision making.
For additional information, contact:
Donna Kinley
Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Phone: (780) 495-6892
Cell: (780) 991-7432
Mayor Ernie Isley
Town of Bonnyville
Phone: (780) 826-3496
Reeve Ed Rondeau
Municipal District of Bonnyville
Phone: (780) 826-3171
WD Toll-Free Number :1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY) : 1 877 303-3388
Website : WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca .
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The Bonnyville & District Centennial Centre is a multi-purpose complex which was built dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents of the area and to encourage economic growth through the construction of this education/recreation leisure facility. This is a community facility that based its development principles on partnerships and cooperation. These principles include municipal councils, First Nations, Metis, the Province of Alberta, the oil and gas industry, small business, educational institutions, the Federal Government and the community as a whole.
The trades training lab is an important component of the Canadian Natural Learning Centre in the Bonnyville & District Centennial Centre. It is intended as a "Centre of Excellence" for learning. The main goal is to have our colleges partner with First Nations, Metis Settlements, high Schools, people of our region including Alberta and Saskatchewan, and industry to provide quality post secondary educational programs that are accessible, available and culturally sensitive. We will meet the needs of industry by advancing employability of our people through quality post secondary education being delivered in northeastern Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Currently the Canadian Natural Learning Centre has partnered with Portage College and Nait to deliver quality post secondary courses to our region.
