Funded through a joint federal-provincial investment, the centre is home to the North Island's first carpentry apprenticeship program - the demand for which has already filled the first three classes. NIC will also offer a plumbing program and a cutting-edge marine training program with equipment so unique that it's the only one of its kind on Vancouver Island north of Victoria.

"Trades training and skills development is a critical component of our province's economic prosperity and success," said Ida Chong, Minister of Regional Economic and Skills Development. "The programs offered at NIC are a great example of government's commitment to trades training and certification that is industry-driven and highly responsive to labour market needs."

"This is a very impressive and vital facility that will benefit apprenticeship students, employers and residents of the Comox Valley and North Island, both now and in the future," said Don McRae, MLA for Comox Valley. "This is also one of the greenest buildings in the valley, and I commend North Island College for their commitment to environmental sustainability."

The training centre is a LEED gold project, using 60 to 70 percent less energy than typical buildings of its size. NIC has also committed to preserving part of the surrounding woodland, equal to the footprint of the building, as part of its green initiative.

"The timing of this facility couldn't be any better. We're just coming out of a recession and we know that there is going to be growth as a result of a number of large projects," said Jan Lindsay, president of North Island College. "This is a state-of-the-art facility that will have a phenomenal impact on the ability of the college to do the work that we should be doing."

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