B.C. invests $17 million to upgrade post-secondary skills-training equipment

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – The B.C. government is investing $17 million for skills-training equipment at post-secondary schools around the province.

Premier Christy Clark says new equipment will give students access to the latest technologies, allowing them to graduate job ready.

The upgrades will help for training students in programs such as automotive, carpentry, commercial transport mechanics, electrical and metal fabrication.

Advanced Education Minister John Yap says the government is conducting an extensive inventory of the equipment at each public post-secondary institution to see what is needed and where.

Kevin Evans, CEO of the Industry Training Authority, says the investment represents a critically important investment in the B.C. industry training system.

John Bowman, president of the College of New Caledonia in Prince George, where the announcement was made, says having first-rate equipment is key to a quality hands-on learning experience for students.