Investors from China visiting the Peace Region in anticipation of developing a polyethylene glycol plant in the area toured NLC’s Trades and Apprenticeships facilities mid-January.
Wu Xiaojin and Li Guo Fang, both trained in Chinese oil and gas development, were accompanied by their translator Sophia Sun and Jennifer Moore, regional economic development officer with the Peace River Regional District.
Robert McAleney, associate dean of Trades and Apprenticeships, led the tour of the Jim Kassen Industry Training Centre introducing the group to the Oil and Gas Field Operator, Power Engineering, and Electrical programs.
Noting the boiler located in the Oil and Gas shop, McAleney pointed out that Power Engineering students were able to get firing time necessary towards their 4th class certification.
“And because we already instruct in safety there is a lot of transferable knowledge or cross-training that is applicable across industries such as mining or construction besides oil and gas,” he said.
The visiting duo were impressed with NLC’s facilities, and expressed interest in the ability of NLC to train students plus offer safety courses such as Confined Entry or Occupational Health and Safety.
“It’s quite a feather in our cap to get these delegations coming through,” said McAleney, “We can show them that, unlike some other institutions, NLC can provide both the technical training needed for certification and classroom learning at the same time so students don’t need to go elsewhere for that firing time.”
Left – Jennifer Moore, PRRD economic development officer, Trades and Apprenticeships associate dean Robert McAleney, Wu Xiaojin, Li Guo Fang, and translator Sophia Sun