Edmonton – Alberta’s two major technical institutes have received a financial boost to help train skilled trades workers.
PCL Construction has donated $500,000 to both NAIT and SAIT Polytechnic.
“It’s so important that industry works with government and works with these institutions to grow, and grow at a rate that can keep up with the burgeoning demands that this province is putting out with all the infrastructure and oil and gas growth,” says Paul Douglas, PCL president and CEO.
NAIT will use the money for capital infrastructure to grow capacity and increase training space.
“We know we need more space for classrooms, labs, and shops, as well as student services,” says Dr. Glenn Feltham, president and CEO of NAIT. “NAIT has embarked the on the largest capital project in our history with the excavation of the Centre of Applied Technology now well underway at our main campus.”
SAIT will allocate its $500,000 to renovate the Thomas Riley building and the SAIT Opportunities Fund.
“It’s partnerships like this that are going to allow us to continue to expand, continue to provide more opportunities for students so they can participate in the careers,” says Dr. David Ross, president and CEO of SAIT Polytechnic.
Paul Douglas says the province continues to fall short in developing skilled trades workers, forcing companies to bring in foreign workers to perform the jobs.
“We need to be building for tomorrow. We know that Alberta will continue to grow for decades to come,” believes Douglas.
PCL is currently involved in over 500 projects across the province. More than 7,000 tradespeople work for PCL companies.
PCL also donated $500,000 in 2006 to both schools.