GRAND FALLS (GNB) – The official opening of the refurbished welding shop at the Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick, Edmundston campus, Grand Falls site, took place on Dec. 9.
"I am proud of the extensive renovations that have been made to the welding shop," said Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Jody Carr. "This investment is a good example of the implementation of our Labour Force and Skills Development Strategy 2013-2016, because it meets the needs of industry and students.”
The provincial government invested $290,000 to install ventilation and soundproofing systems and renovate the workshop and classroom. The renovations began in the spring and were completed in November.
"Our welding program meets a pressing need of industry," said Liane Roy, president and chief executive officer, Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick. "With the arrival of several mega-construction projects across the country, there is an increased demand for this specialized trade. The funding we received enables us to offer our students an environment where they can acquire all the skills they need to excel in the labour market."
The welding shop was built more than 30 years ago but it has not undergone renovations since then. Over the years, depending on what was offered, the space has been used for a number of programs, including welding, motor vehicle body repair and painting, and automotive services. The workshop has been used by students in the welding program since 2009.
Welding is one of the most popular programs in the regular programming of Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick. For the 2013-14 academic year, the institution received more than 210 applications for admission to the program, which has 69 spaces provincially.
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