A major boost for Selkirk College trades training.
The Silver King campus in Nelson is receiving $14 million from the province towards the college’s $19 million building and facilities upgrade plans.
President Angus Graeme made the announcement to scores of students in the millwright machinist shop Thursday morning .
He says modernizing the current facilities are a priority because they were built in 1964.
Graeme calls the provincial investment a vote of confidence in what Selkirk is doing to meet job demand.
Not surprisingly college instructors and students are feeling very positive about the big funding announcement.
Dan Brazeau teaches carpentry.
Corey Drew is a millwright-machinist instructor and says the college needs to show students what modern industry looks like.
Welding student Katia Costanzo says it’s important to have modern learning environments.
Other funding for the upgrades has come from Columbia Basin Trust with commitments from Columbia Power, Teck in Trail and the Feds.
The one-year project starts in the spring.