As a skilled workers shortage continues to hamper Saskatchewan businesses, new partners for Parkland College's Trades and Technology Centre continue to come knocking.
The latest investment is courtesy of the Canada West Equipment Dealers Association (CWEDA) in the amount of $250,000. The contribution will fund 24 students per year in agricultural mechanics.
"One of our goals is to assist members with recruiting, training, and retaining qualified employees," said Cameron Bode, CWEDA president. "This investment will help ease the burden our members are facing when it comes to finding skilled workers."
The significance of the donation was underscored by the presence of Rob Norris, Saskatchewan advanced education minister, for the announcement February 27. It is one of the single largest investments after the Saskatchewan government's $10 million, the City of Yorkton's donation of the land and $1.125 million from each of Potash Corp and Mosaic and brings the college's capital campaign to approximately $4.75 million in private contributions.
"I would like to thank the CWEDA for its generous commitment to the Trades and Technology Centre and commend Parkland College for its vision and dedication to this project," Norris said. "The Trades and Technology Centre will support the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth by training more students in highly skilled areas and will make it possible for students from the Yorkton area to learn closer to home."
Construction of the new centre is scheduled to begin this spring with a target of welcoming its first students in September 2015.
"We've said all along that colleges build communities and communities build colleges," said Dr. Fay Myers, Parkland president. "We are happy to welcome CWEDA as a partner in our effort to strengthen Saskatchewan and to offer new opportunities to the Parkland region."
