With assistance from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the College of the North Atlantic (CNA) plans to develop a new boat industry training program. The Provincial Government has committed $122,440 to the program that is geared towards new boat builders and assisting existing workers upgrade their skills.

"Boat building represents an important sector for the province," said the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. "Through CNA�s new program we will have the opportunity to graduate a new generation of boat builders, which opens up tremendous opportunities for the province. For our economy to grow, a constant supply of well-trained people is required � this is especially true of the boat building industry."

The export potential to international markets for the province�s boat building industry is strong. Industry and academic representatives, along with the Provincial and Federal Governments, identified that to grow the local industry in export markets a training program was required. After further discussion it was determined that a program offering classroom and on-the-job training was the best approach.

"We are very excited to be moving forward with this new area of training, which will support the development and diversification of the local boat building industry," said Jean Madill, President of College of the North Atlantic. "The college has worked closely with the provincial boat building sector to assess the need in developing an appropriate training program that will result in highly-skilled workers which are required to allow this industry to grow in Newfoundland and Labrador."

The three-year pilot program is designed to graduate 15 skilled boat builders. The in-class portion will be delivered in the first year of the program at the Seal Cove Campus of CNA. In years two and three, students will work under master craftsmen allowing them to acquire practical experience. In addition, on-the-job training will be available for up to 35 existing workers at boat yards around the province to improve their skills.

"The Provincial Government�s investment to the College of the North Atlantic and the Boat Industry Training Organization pilot project is another example of our government�s commitment to innovative and novel education," said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, MHA for Harbour Main. "Having the program located in Seal Cove is a great asset for the CNA campus and the students they train. In addition, by delivering the on-the-job training segment of this program in boat yards around the province, our government will be helping to develop jobs in rural Newfoundland and Labrador."

The program is funded by the Provincial Government�s Regional/Sectoral Diversification Fund (RSDF). RSDF is a $5-million fund that provides non-repayable contributions to economic development agencies for initiatives that address regional and sectoral development and diversification.

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Media contact:

Scott Barfoot
Director of Communications
Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
709-729-4570, 690-6290
Scottbarfoot@gov.nl.ca