ALBERTON — Holland College campuses in Alberton and Georgetown learned today they'll get ACOA funding to expand their welding programs in anticipation of a demand in the metal trade as shipbuilding for Canada's Navy and Coast Guard takes place in the coming years at the Halifax Shipyards.
The Government of Canada, through ACOA’s business development program, is investing $269,044 towards the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment to be used in Holland College’s welding programs at the two Holland College campuses.
“The National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy and this region’s significant role in it, has certainly created an increased awareness in many of our trades programs, particularly welding, which is at the top of the list," said Holland College president Brian McMillan. "The equipment purchased will significantly enhance our ability to deliver state-of-the- art training to students at our Georgetown and West Prince campuses."
National Revenue Minister Gail Shea made the announcement this morning in Alberton.
“With the government’s announcement to rebuild the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Coast Guard fleets, Holland College was one of the community colleges in Atlantic Canada that anticipated a future increase in demand for skilled workers, many in specialized metal trades,” said Shea. “In order to meet an increased demand for welders, the intake of students for these specialized programs at colleges must increase."
For more on the Atlantic Shipbuilding Action Plan and the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy, visit: http://www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca/eng/Pages/Atlantic-Shipbuilding-Action-Plan.aspx .
“I don’t know if it would be possible to exaggerate the opportunity this represents for people who find work on these ships. This project could represent an entire career of employment,” said Alberton-Roseville MLA Patrick Murphy at the announcement. “Our Island businesses are attending meetings this week to help them seize that opportunity and now we are helping our Island workers to do the same.”
