Selkirk College gets green light for new $18.9M trades training facilities

Demolition and renovation is expected to get underway in spring 2016 with construction completed in fall 2017.

Selkirk College staff and students gathered in the Silver King Campus Millwright/Machinist Program shop to celebrate the announcement of $14.2 million in funding from the Provincial Government for the renewal, replacement and demolition of existing buildings at the 50-year-old campus in Nelson. — Photo courtesy Selkirk College

Government today announced approval for new trades training facilities at the Silver King Campus of Selkirk College that will support students pursuing in-demand careers in a range of sectors that support a strong, diverse and growing economy.

"Ensuring trades students have access to the best training available in modern facilities such as the new Silver King trades facilities will help students get the right skills they need," said Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson. "As part of B.C.'s blueprint, we have a plan that is aligning education and training with occupations that are in demand."

The $18.9 million investment in new trades training facilities for the Silver King Campus in Nelson is part of the B.C.'s Skills for Jobs Blueprint and the commitment to invest $185 million in trades training facilities and equipment.

Half a Century of Learning at Silver King Campus

Silver King Campus opened in 1964 as the British Columbia Vocational school and became part of Selkirk College in 1975. The funding will allow Selkirk College to renew and re-purpose three existing buildings, demolish an old cafeteria and administrative services building and construct a new building for the cafeteria, multi-purpose open study area and Aboriginal Gathering Place.

The renewal, replacement and demolition of existing buildings at the Silver King Campus will make way for a new, up-dated training facility that can accommodate existing demand as well as future growth by being more efficient and use space more effectively.

Most of the trades training programs offered by Selkirk College are delivered at the Silver King Campus. The College serves over 10,000 students annually with about 500 trades seats at the Silver King Campus.

"Selkirk College is focused on meeting the training needs for a range of high-demand trades," said Selkirk College president Angus Graeme. "With the growing demand for skilled trades people, there has never been a more important time to help students get the training they need."

Construction to Begin in Spring

Demolition and renovation is expected to get underway in spring 2016 with construction completed in fall 2017. An estimated 84 direct and 56 indirect jobs are expected to be created.

The Province is providing funding of up to $14.2 million of the $18.9 million cost. Selkirk College will contribute $1 million. The remainder will come from donations.

The funding for new trades training facilities at the Silver King Campus builds on the investments already made in Selkirk College as part of B.C.'s Skills for Jobs Blueprint. Previous investments over the past two years include $444,000 for 90 critical trades seats and $402,000 in new industry-standard trades training equipment.