Mining group gives CTC a boost

It’s a partnership between the College of New Caledonia and School District 57, and a local mining group is making sure it keeps going.

School District 57 vice-chairperson Brenda Hooker, right, accepts a cheque for $10,000 from Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum North-central B.C. chair Jerome LaMarre on Monday morning at CNC. The cheque for for a bursary fund at the Career and Technical Centre, a joing project of the school district and CNC. Also on hand were CNC dean of traces and technology Frank Rossi, left, CIM treasurer Trent Bilodeau, CTC co-ordinator Doug Borden and Navann LaMarre. Allan WISHART/Free Press

The Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) made a $10,000 donation Monday to the Career and Technical Centre (CTC). The centre allows students in the district to take two semesters of high school and two semesters at CNC during their Grade 11 and 12 years. This allows them to finish with both Grade 12 and the first year of technical training at CNC.

“We got involved about four years ago,” CIM North-Central B.C. branch treasurer Trent Bilodeau said. “We want to see the kids in the north have the same opportunities for jobs in the trades as anyone else.

“The money mainly comes from the suppliers and mines who belong to our group.”

Doug Borden, the co-ordinator of the CTC, said the goal of the group was simple.

“We want to give each kid the chance to achieve their full potential. We’ve been in operation for more than 15 years now, and the people of P.G. and the region have been a huge part of that success.”

The money will go to the Jim Rose Legacy Endowment Fund, and SD57 vice-chairperson Brenda Hooker said that was the perfect way to recognize the past and the future of the CTC.

“Jim Rose was the founding co-ordinator of the centre, so it’s fitting that the legacy fund be in his name. Contributions like this will make it possible for bursaries to be awarded in perpetuity.”