Trades programs at Camosun got an injection of funds on January 22 when they received $2.56 million from Western Economic Diversification Canada (WEDC).
At an announcement held at the Interurban campus, Camosun president Kathryn Laurin, vice president of strategic development Tom Roemer, and the minister of state for WEDC, Lynne Yelich, announced the funding, as well as a donation of a large ship engine from marine and energy company Wärtsilä Canada.
“To be a college of excellence, for both our students and industry, we need to provide the best service, education and training equipment possible,” announced Roemer. “This funding and equipment support will go a long way to help us deliver that in our new Centre for Trades Education and Innovation, now under construction at Interurban campus.”
The funding will help Camosun purchase instructional equipment for the marine, mechanical, and metal trades programs. It will also go towards enhancing infrastructure and facilities for applied research and innovation.
“Over the last year, our government’s Shipbuilding Action Plan has helped contribute to the thriving and competitive shipbuilding industry in Western Canada,” announced Yelich. “Today’s investment supports our plan by ensuring that Canadians have the skills needed to address the demand for 30,000 skilled workers in the shipbuilding, repair and resource industries.”
The engine donated by Wärtsilä was taken from a modern 19-ton ship and is valued at over $850,000. It will be used by Camosun for teaching purposes.
The college’s planned trades centre is being funded by a combination of provincial, federal, and industry partners. Phase one of construction has now begun at Interurban.