Yukon Education and CanNor provide $1.8 million for a mobile trades trailer
WHITEHORSE—Professional trades training will soon be offered in communities across Yukon thanks to $1.8 million in funding from Yukon Education and the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) towards the purchase of a mobile training lab and supply trailer for industrial trades instruction through Yukon College.
“Yukon’s economy is one of the strongest in Canada and we need to capitalize and prepare our residents for skilled, high wage jobs,” Education Minister Scott Kent said. “This new mobile training lab can be deployed from Watson Lake to Dawson City, and will bring skilled trades training directly into our communities.”
The 53-foot-long trailer from Innovative Trailer Design Industries in Mississauga, Ontario will have expandable sides to provide 1,048 square feet of instructional space. It will be outfitted for classes in welding, electrical, millwright and piping, with an onboard diesel generator to provide power for heating, lighting, equipment and wireless Internet.
Yukon Education is providing $1.1 million in funding for the mobile training lab, pending legislative approval, with CanNor covering the remaining $700,000.
“The Government of Canada is pleased to invest in training that helps strengthen local capacity and skills,” said Yukon MP Ryan Leef on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, and Minister for the Arctic Council. “This mobile training will deliver programs to students across Yukon, creating a pool of qualified trades people to take advantage of local job opportunities.”
“Better access to professional trades training will increase the number of Yukon skilled workers able to participate in the opportunities created by resource developments happening close to their communities,” Alexco Resource chief operating officer and Yukon Producers Group chair Brad Thrall said.
“Yukon College is keen to explore the ways we can now introduce dual credit apprenticeship training for senior high school students, as well as access to vital training and skill development for adults, directly in the communities,” college president Dr. Karen Barnes said. “This type of training had been requested by our community partners some time ago and we are very grateful to Yukon Education and CanNor for recognizing this need and funding this project.”
Similar trailers have successfully delivered training in Northern Ontario and Northern Saskatchewan, and are proven to function well in winter temperatures. Yukon College expects the trailer to be delivered in time for the new academic year, commencing this September.
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CanNor funding for this project is made possible through its Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) program, which focuses on long-term economic growth, economic diversification and capacity building in all three territories. SINED is one of several economic development programs within CanNor.
Contact:
Michael Vernon
Communications, Yukon College
867-668-8786
mvernon@yukoncollege.yk.ca
Matthew Grant
Cabinet Communications
867-393-6470
matthew.grant@gov.yk.ca
Christopher Madden
Communications, Education
867-393-7102
chris.madden@gov.yk.ca
Erin Macpherson
Communications, CanNor
867-667-3849
erin.macpherson@cannor.gc.ca