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Prince Rupert Port Authority supports trades training

The Prince Rupert Port Authority is contributing $100,000 to help those on the North Coast get the training needed.
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Prince Rupert Port Authority president and CEO Don Krusel presents a cheque for $100

The Prince Rupert Port Authority is contributing $100,000 to help those on the North Coast get the training needed to fill the jobs that come with projected industrial growth.

The money will go toward the Prince Rupert Trades Training Project — a partnership between Ridley Terminals, Northwest Community College and the Prince Rupert School District — that will allow students at Charles Hays Secondary School to take a Millwright Foundations Program beginning this September and an Industrial Electrical Foundations Program beginning in February, 2014.

"The port authority is excited to have three of our community partners collaborating on these much-needed educational opportunities," said Don Krusel, president and CEO of the Prince Rupert Port Authority, in announcing the funding.

"We are happy to make this contribution that will allow people to pursue careers in their own communities, likely supporting the gateway industry the port authority and our partners are working hard to grow in a sustainable manner."

The $100,000 is in addition to the $150,000 committed by Ridley Terminals, which will also be providing work experience for those enrolled in the programs. The money from the two organizations will be used to purchase the necessary equipment for the high school.

"It's our hope that the foundations programs will accelerate the career path of individuals seeking to enter the growing trades industry in our region and provide a lasting legacy of accessibility to training and employment," said Michelle Bryant, corporate affairs manager of Ridley Terminals Inc.

"This partnership between education and business is an important investment that will build local capacity to support the exciting opportunities happening in our communities."

The money, announced during the Prince Rupert Port Authority's June 19 annual general meeting, comes from the Community Investment Fund, which this year sits at $782,000 available for legacy projects. Since the fund was created in 2009, $2 million has been made available to the community.