A new Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) Foundation Certificate has been approved for the School of Trades and Technology thanks to funding from School District 73 and the BC Industry Training Authority (ITA) and is currently running its second intake of the program at the NorKam Trades Centre.
The 24-week program, which is a partnership between SD 73 and the NorKam Trades Centre, compliments the “high priority” trades, as recognized by ITA and the Ministry of Advanced Education.
“The Millwright Foundation Certificate will allow students to start and finish their entire education for this trade at TRU,” said Dean of Trades and Technology Lindsay Langill. “This is a highly sought-after area of study that will attract students from all over BC to train. A lot has been invested into making this happen and it’s just one more Red Seal trade that we now offer to help put Kamloops on the map.”
The partnership agreement will see SD 73 provide the facility and equipment for the program while TRU will provide the instruction with qualified Red Seal faculty members. Of the available seats, 50% will be offered to SD 73 students and the other 50% will go to the general public.
“Due to upcoming labor shortages in this industry, the Millwright program is in high demand and we are excited to be able to offer first-class instruction for the province to meet these needs right here in Kamloops,” said Thomas Haag, chair of the Mechanical and Welding Department. “The equipment for the program is brand new, state-of-the-art and will provide the students with practical, current, hands-on experience in the trade.”
ITA funds programs where identified provincial needs exist, which include employment in repair shops, plants, construction sites, mines, logging operations and most production and manufacturing facilities. This program can lead toward ITA certification as a level one apprentice as well as to a national Red Seal designation when all levels of apprenticeship are completed. Students who complete their apprenticeship and Red Seal designation are eligible for up to 60 credits towards TRU’s Bachelor of Technology program.
More information
Lindsay Langill
Dean of the School of Trades and Technology
250-828-5110
lblangill@tru.ca
