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John A. Brink Trades and Technology Centre at CNC
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by BERNICE TRICK Citizen staff
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The former Canadian Tire building has been renamed the John A. Brink Trades and Technology Centre by the College of New Caledonia. The name, unveiled Monday, recognizes Brink, president of Brink Forest Products, for contributions of $250,000 cash and $250,000 in kind, for equipment and installation and consulting services, to assist CNC in creating a trades and technology centre of excellence.
Brink said he's known about a looming shortage of skilled trades workers for 10 years, and five years ago he made a commitment toward a wood technology centre at CNC. "We wanted to send the message that one of the critical issues to attracting industry and building and developing industry would be access to trades people. "The greatest deterrent to the success and expansion of the forest industry in this region will not be access to timber, markets or capital. The biggest single deterrent will be access to a trained workforce. |
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The skill sets required to run and manage operations is crucial to the economic viability of industry in this region. "It's an extremely exciting day for us," said Brink, whose vision is to see the trades and technology program become a centre of excellence "that will attract students to learn about our lumber manufacturing and the building of equipment, tools and consultants, required by other forest industries around the world. I see a college that is known world wide as a centre for wood technology and draws students from around the world." |
Advanced Education Ministry Shirley Bond said there's a government plan in place to increase numbers of post-secondary seats across B.C., and help institutions like CNC meet industry demand. The province contributed $6.46 million to acquire and renovate the building, acquired by CNC in June. "The City of Prince George and Community Futures Development Corporation of Prince George also played a significant role in acquiring funds," said Ralph Troschke, CNC president. In partnership with Community Futures, CNC was able to attract $1.1 million to the project through the Softwood Industry Community Economic Adjustment Initiative, a federal agency. Troschke said the new roof and signage is complete, and tenders should go out within two weeks for inside renovations, pending government's approval of the plan. "We expect completion next spring, and trade programs to begin in September 2005," Troschke said.
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