Thompson Local News

Ribbon Officially Cut For New Northern Workforce Development Centre

The Northern Workforce Development Centre is now officially open at UCN here in Thompson.

 

The ribbon was officially cut by Thompson MLA Kelly Bindle, UCN President Doug Lauvstad, Vale’s Manager of Corporate Affairs and Human Resources for Manitoba Operations Ryan Land, and the Provincial Minister of Education and Training Ian Wishart.

 

Wishart spoke at the ceremony and said that the centre brings both industry and workers together to create direct paths for training, leading to employment. He added that in today’s environment of technological change and industrial restructuring, workforce development and redevelopment has never been more important than it is now. Wishart said that a skilled, adaptable and productive workforce is essential in Manitoba’s ability to compete, especially here in the north.

 

The Minister added that of the over $250,000 invested in the project the Pallister government contributed over $140,000, and that the centre supports the priorities of the Look North Report and Action Plan.

 

Land spoke before the ribbon was cut, and said that even though there are challenges for Vale over the next few months as the corporation closes the smelter and refinery. He said that the centre will ensure there are opportunities in the form of training pathways to employment. Land said that he is confident that down the road, people will look back and find that the needs of northern employers were met and northerners were able to find work thanks to the Northern Workforce Development Centre.

 

He added that discussions on the centre started years ago, and that he’s excited to see it finally come to fruition.

 

A letter of intent was signed by both Land and Lauvstad on behalf of Vale and UCN, saying that the two will work together to provide initial training and re-certification training to 1000 new and existing Vale employees.

 

The full ceremony can be found by visiting 102.9 CHTM on Facebook.

 

Photo courtesy of Kyle Darbyson, Thompson Citizen.

 

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