FREDERICTON (GNB) – A new mobile training centre designed to improve access and provide flexible training opportunities across the province was launched today by the New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) with support from the provincial government.

“Our province has a tremendous need for skilled workers, and this innovative learning concept will bring training directly to New Brunswickers,” said Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Trevor Holder. “We are pleased to partner with NBCC to introduce more flexible training that will help us attract even more people to the trades. We are excited to see the benefits that this type of training will have on apprentices, newcomers, First Nations communities and those in remote communities.”

The department has committed $2 million over five years to support the centre. Funding is also being provided by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and other private sector partners.

The mobile training centre is a custom-built 16-metre (53-ft) trailer providing about 90 sq. metre (1,000 sq. ft.) of learning space, accompanied by a support trailer. The classroom is adaptable to deliver training in a variety of sectors including health care, information technology and the skilled trades. It will be brought to schools and communities to introduce the skilled trades and to promote careers, deliver apprenticeship and contract training and to support employers with upgrading the training of their workers.

“NBCC’s presence across the province has enabled us to support thousands of New Brunswickers in their educational journey. With the mobile training centre we will bring flexible, quality education to even more communities across the province,” said Mary Butler, president and CEO. “The hands-on training and customized, on-demand programming that NBCC is so well known for is now mobile, anywhere in New Brunswick. We are proud to have the support of our partners as we work to inspire and train the next generation of skilled workers by reaching them in their communities.”