On Sept. 1, 2013, the First Nations Training and Development Centre will be no more as the organization makes significant changes to better reflect the workplace needs of the North Coast.
Rebranding itself the Coastal Training Centre, the location on Dunsmuir Street will be shifting its focus to meet the growing needs of industrial development in the region.
"We'll be doing a lot more trades training, though we'll still offer the programs we have in the past ... we're just adding new programs. We've always wanted to provide the residents of the North Coast programs they can't get anywhere else. People want to stay in their community with the support system they have, so we're bringing these programs here," said Brenda L. Leighton, noting the name change may also help clarify the mission of the centre.
"We've gotten calls from people saying they thought we were just for First Nations ... our programs have always been open to everyone in Prince Rupert and the northwest and they will continue to be."
Among the new courses being offered are heavy equipment operator training, Class 1 driver training, faller's training, H2S Alive, supervisor safety training and more.
"The times are changing in Prince Rupert and the northwest, and it was time for a change for us," said Leighton.