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NLIS 2
July 31, 2006
(Education)
 

$1.5 million for increased programming at College of the North Atlantic

Education Minister Joan Burke announced today that $1.5 million is being provided to College of the North Atlantic to increase program offerings in skilled trades for the 2006/07 academic year. This is over and above funding announced for the college in March as part of Budget 2006.

"Government is committed to increasing opportunities for skills training in the province," said Minister Burke. "Part of developing a comprehensive and sustainable provincial economy is continuing to build a relevant and responsive training system. To that end, government is providing this funding to the college to enhance its offerings of entry-level training."

This is the latest in a series of initiatives designed to strengthen skills training throughout the province. In recent months, government has set up a skills task force and expanded the Adult Basic Education program at the college. An investment of $34 million in 2006/07 in the areas of apprenticeship, science and technology programming, training and infrastructure is intended to address needs of the population and labour market.

"This is really good news for students wanting to pursue a career in the trades," says Bruce Hollett, president of College of the North Atlantic. "There is great demand for many of our trades programs and this money will go toward adding several new trades offerings to our program mix."

The new programs and locations were chosen based on input from industry, the communities and what future students say they need, such as the construction/electrical program in Harbour Breton.

Mr. Hollett cited the Harbour Breton offering as an example. While the construction/electrical program has been offered at various campuses, this is the first time the course will be available in Harbour Breton.

This investment by government will result in 120 seats in eight new programs, with training to begin in the fall of this year. Students interested in these trade options are encouraged to contact a College of the North Atlantic campus for more details or visit their web site at www.cna.nl.ca.

"We�re excited about this additional programming. For example, one of the courses, cabinet making in Port aux Basques, is a unique program offering in Atlantic Canada and is being proposed because there is a demand from industry for persons trained in this field. Strategic responses are needed to ensure access to a skilled and available workforce required to help employers in this province remain competitive in today�s global economy. Government will continue to work with post-secondary and industry partners to ensure programming is reflective of labour market needs," said the minister.

Media contact:
Jacquelyn Howard, Department of Education, (709) 729-0048, 689-2624
Stephen Lee, College of the North Atlantic, (709) 227-6283, 682-0174

BACKGROUNDER
Proposed New Offerings for 2006/07
Currently accepting applications for September 2006

Program Campus Location
New Programs (120 seats)  
   
Cabinetmaker Port aux Basques
Sheet Metal Worker Burin
Residential Electrician St. Anthony
Construction/ Industrial Electrician Harbour Breton
Aboriginal Trades Access Happy Valley-Goose Bay
Painter and Decorator Grand Falls-Windsor
Bricklayer Carbonear
Women in Trades To be determined

2006 07 31                                   10:20 a.m.


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