Red River College President Stephanie Forsyth commended the Government of Manitoba on its commitment to expanding skilled trades training in today’s Speech from the Throne.

“We know industry needs significantly more skilled workers to fill labour gaps and keep up with the growth of the Manitoba economy,” explained Forsyth. “Red River College is under increased pressure to produce more advanced skilled graduates but aging facilities and infrastructure hamper our ability to respond. The plans announced today will enhance opportunities for students and increase our province’s competitiveness.”

Central to those plans is a pledge to build a new Skilled Trades and Technology Centre at Red River College’s Notre Dame Campus.

When completed by 2015, the new Centre will comprise 320,000 square feet of space that will allow for all construction trades and related programs to be housed in a single location. This flexible, sustainable learning space will encourage collaboration between students, and will incorporate state of the art digital and mechanical technologies.

This project will be one of the largest capital developments in the history of Manitoba’s college system, and will allow the College to train approximately 1,000 additional students and apprentices each year in high priority construction trades programs like carpentry, electrical and plumbing.

Also referenced in the Throne Speech is a plan to offer rural students more trades-based education options in their home communities through expanded use of Red River College’s mobile training labs.

“Enhancing access to post-secondary education in rural Manitoba is key to meeting the work-force needs of the future. We look forward to working closely with the Government to make these initiatives a success for the benefit of Manitoba students and industry,” said Forsyth.