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New training programs at TRU address skill shortage

The logging industry in British Columbia has begun to recover from the effects of the pine beetle

Kamloops -

The logging industry in British Columbia has begun to recover from the effects of the pine beetle infestation and the housing market crash of the past year, but it now faces another challenge: a shortage of skilled heavy equipment operators and logging truck drivers. A skill shortage in the Thompson-Nicola and Cariboo regions could mean its communities miss out on the benefits of the lumber industry’s recovery.

Thompson Rivers University has developed three new programs that hope to address the skills shortages in forestry and other industries, and support communities in the university’s region. The provincial government today announced funding for these programs of $1,759,897, provided through the Canada-British Columbia Labor Market Agreement.

“Our government is proud to support Thompson Rivers University students by investing in skills training for jobs in high demand,” said Premier Christy Clark, who made the announcement today in Williams Lake.  “Access to training programs like the ones offered at TRU is the first step in helping meet the continued demand for skilled workers in priority industries like mining and forestry.”

The funding will cover seat costs for training unemployed non-EI eligible and underemployed individuals to become heavy equipment operators and logging truck drivers in the forest sector as well as heavy equipment operators in the civil and mining sector.