Gerald Keddy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Education, on behalf of the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, today announced an investment of over $660,000 to enhance existing training programs at two educational institutions in Stephenville, making them accessible to Canadian Armed Forces personnel.

The funding will enhance the ability of the College of the North Atlantic (CNA) to provide culinary skills and vehicle technician training for Canadian Forces personnel at its Bay St. George Campus in Stephenville. The Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland will receive support that enhances their ability to provide training to military firefighters and aircraft rescue personnel at its Safety and Emergency Response Training (SERT) Centre, also in Stephenville.

"We are pleased to partner with the province, the College of the North Atlantic and the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University to enable these educational institutions to expand their training capabilities and successfully market themselves to key clients like the Canadian Forces," said Mr. Keddy. "Offering diverse and quality training allows these two schools to demonstrate their ability to meet the current needs of employers and students throughout the province, country and indeed the world."

"As Minister of Education and MHA for the District of St. Georges-Stephenville East, it is gratifying to see College of the North Atlantic play a major role in the economic diversification of this region," said the Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Education. "The level of cooperation and sharing of resources that characterizes the relationship between the college and the Marine Institute is exemplary. This spirit of collaboration can only benefit the two institutions and will considerably enhance economic benefits for the entire region."

At today�s announcement in Stephenville, the Department of National Defence (DND) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the College of the North Atlantic to promote educational and training opportunities for Canadian Forces members at CNA. This MOU complements an earlier agreement for the culinary and vehicle technician training initiatives, while the Marine Institute�s firefighting training builds on its longstanding educational relationship with Canada�s military. The SERT Centre will provide a 31-week firefighter and aircraft rescue training program for military personnel through a project that will also require improvements to the centre and the purchase of new equipment. The centre will create five full-time positions, including three program instructors and two technical assistants. One class of 20 firefighting trainees is already studying at the facility and at least 20 more will be trained during 2007-08.

ACOA funding of $315,500 was provided for this project for program-related equipment through the Innovative Communities Fund (ICF), which focuses on investments that lead to long-term employment and economic capacity building in rural communities. Government of Newfoundland and Labrador funding of $157,750 will be provided through the provincial Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development.

The College of the North Atlantic will deliver a 36-week customized vehicle technician training course, as well as a 36-week culinary skills training program for DND personnel. A total of nine positions have been added to the Bay St. George Campus in Stephenville as a result of this initiative. ACOA is providing $125,000 for program-related equipment through the federal ICF program. The Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development is providing $62,500 for this project.

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