VERNON – A new trades training centre will be built at the Vernon campus of Okanagan College.
Construction of the $6.2 million centre is expected to begin soon and should be finished in the spring of 2018.
It will replace an off campus, leased trades facility.
“The new building will include multipurpose trades shops and supporting space, a dedicated welding shop and multi-use trade space for the electrical, carpentry, plumbing and pipefitting programs, as well as Aboriginal and Women in Trades Training programs,” states a provincial government news release.
Okanagan College is putting $670,000 towards the project with the federal and provincial governments contributing the balance of the cost.
“This investment in the future of trades training in Vernon will create meaningful opportunities for the people of this region for decades to come,” said college president Jim Hamilton. “This new space will allow us to offer a wider range of programs for students.”
The provincial government estimates one million job openings in BC over the next decade with 80% requiring post-secondary education.