Peace River South MLA Mike Bernier was in Tumbler Ridge May 21 for the funding announcement that has provided NLC with a $150,000 grant to support workers affected by the suspension of the Tumbler Ridge regional coal mines.
“This is a much needed initiative by the province to bring some relief to these workers who are looking to re-train,” said Donna Merry, NLC’s Tumbler Ridge campus administrator. “The funding that the Ministry of Advanced Education is providing will allow us to offer a broad range of affordable training opportunities for eligible candidates – that’s a huge investment to help these people along towards developing new skills that will add to their existing skill-sets.”
Applicants interested in the training opportunities must meet several eligibility requirements:
- All residents of Tumbler Ridge are eligible. Business owners and employees of local companies impacted by the economic downturn who reside elsewhere or who have relocated are also eligible. Candidates may be asked to provide proof of residency or past employment with a local employer.
- Candidates who have been on EI, or who are currently on EI, must speak with WorkBC for sponsorship (if EI claim has completed), and permission to enroll (if EI claim is current). WorkBC will work with individuals to support training according to their action plans. The Work BC office operates on the Tumbler Ridge Campus on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Applicants interested in any of the following courses are asked to phone WorkBC at 1-855-782-8744 for more information and to arrange an appointment. Case managers will assist people by phone and/or in Tumbler Ridge. The College reserves the right to limit the number of courses per individual.
June 2015
- Introduction to Computers (20 hours- 8 participants)
- Job Search & Employment Skills- includes very basic computer skills (20hrs- 8 participants)
August to September 2015 courses:
- August-September 2015 OFA 1 (Occupational First Aid level 1) (7 hours- 12+ participants) and OFA 3- (75 hours + exam- 12+ participants)
- Security Guard Training (10 participants – 40hrs)
- WHMIS and TDG- 20 participants – 7.5hrs
- Air brake endorsement- (20 hours- 10 participants)
- Zoom Boom Certification- 8 participants – 7hrs
- Scissor lift certification- 8 participants – 7hr
- Fall protection – 12 participants – 16hrs
- H2S Alive- 20 participants – 7hrs
- Confined Space Entry and Rescue- 12 participants – 30hrs
- ATV Safety- 8 participants 7hrs
- Bear Aware- 8 participants 4hrs
- Chainsaw Safety Training 10 participants – 16hrs
- S-100 Fire Protection- 20 participants- 12 hrs
September 2015 to January 2016 courses:
- Professional Office Skills (8 participants – 5 months)
- Career and College Preparation (adult upgrading) (unlimited participants, independent study- 10 months)
For more information on these and other courses, please visit www.nlc.bc.ca/programs and select from the sidebar your area of interest, or type the course name into the search bar.