Funding has been made available for those interested in pursuing a career in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry thanks to a new program by Pacific NorthWest (PNW) LNG.
The Individual Training Grant (ITG) Program, an initiative replacing the company’s old Individual Training Sponsorship Program (ITP), is meant to provide North Coast residents with support in finding employment in the LNG industry.
Successful recipients of the grant program could be those looking at schooling or training options before entering the workforce and the funds can be attributed to tuition, registration fees, textbooks, course packs and course equipment.
“We are excited for the launch of the Individual Grant Program and encourage local residents, including First Nations who need support for education and training initiatives, to contact one of our community offices,” stated Tessa Gill, PNW vice-president of external affairs.
“The individual training program was established to help local people, including First Nations, get the skills and training they needed to prepare for a job in the LNG industry. We are proud to have supported 171 individuals, and are pleased to see so many of them employed or continuing their studies. We look forward to building on the success of ITP with the launch of the new ITG program.”
The new program will be administered out of the company’s community offices in Prince Rupert and Port Edward.
Mayor of Port Edward Dave MacDonald offered words of encouragement for the program that will be operating in the district.
“The District of Port Edward is excited about the launch of Pacific NorthWest LNG’s Individual Training Grant Program. The ITG program is another example of Pacific NorthWest LNG’s dedication to training and eventually hiring local people for their proposed facility,” MacDonald said.
The original ITP program began in 2014 and was run out of Prince Rupert’s Hecate Strait Employment Development Society office, as well as through the Kitsumkalum and Kitselas Band offices.
Program participants were able to get sponsorship in heavy equipment operations, security courses, carpentry and power engineering readiness.
To learn more about the opportunity, please call the PNW LNG Prince Rupert community office at 250-622-2727.