A new training centre intended to help Northern Manitoba workers better compete in the skilled labour market officially opened at University College of the North’s (UCN) Thompson campus May 18.
Vale, Thompson 2020 and the Manitoba government came together to host the grand opening of the Northern Workforce Development Centre, which will supply workers with certification training in areas such as fall arrest, working in confined spaces, WHMIS and other critical safety skills.
“In today’s environment of technological change and industrial restructuring, workforce development and redevelopment has never been more important,” said provincial Education and Training Minister Ian Wishart. “That’s why we’re pleased to support this centre, which is providing responsible and innovative training in one place to prepare individuals for in-demand jobs right here Thompson and the surrounding regions.”
The Manitoba government’s support for this project is more than just kind words, since they will provide the centre with $140,000 over two years.
Ryan Land, Vale Manitoba Operations manager of corporate affairs, was also on hand during Friday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony, and talked about how excited he is that this project is finally coming to fruition after many years of talk and planning.
“This conversation began many years ago, even before the new campus was built,” he said. “Then it carried on into the Thompson Economic Diversification Working Group … where many hours were invested by northerners into the education and training action plan, and it was picked up again by this government, UCN and, of course, Thompson 2020.”
Land went on to say that the opening of the Northern Workforce Development Centre couldn’t have come at a better time, since Vale is cutting their overall workforce in Thompson down to approximately 800 people by the end of the year.
“We know we face challenges over the next several months as we close our smelter and refinery and fully transition to a long-term mining and milling future,” he said. “The Northern Workforce Development Centre will ensure that there are opportunities in the form of training pathways to employment on the horizon.”
Friday’s ceremony wrapped up with Land and UCN president Doug Lauvstad signing a letter of intent, which promises to deliver initial training and recertification training for up to 1,000 new and existing Vale employees through the centre.
“We believe that this kind of framework could serve as a model to help support the training needs of other industries in Northern Manitoba,” Lauvstad wrote in a May 18 press release from UCN. “We know that they will be watching with interest.”
For more information on the Northern Workforce Development Centre, please visit their office on the second floor of UCN’s Thompson Campus.
