A new skilled trades centre will offer more opportunities for Glace Bay High School students.

Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Geoff MacLellan, on behalf of Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Karen Casey, officially opened the new centre today, Oct. 17.

“Skilled trades centres allow our students to learn and experience potential careers such as plumbing or carpentry in a school setting,” said Mr. MacLellan. “This centre represents an investment in the future for students from Glace Bay and surrounding areas by providing real-life work experience to help them prepare for future opportunities in skilled trades.”

The centres have been specifically designed by educators, tradespeople and members of industry. Glace Bay High School’s centre has more than 2,400 square-feet of instructional space.

“Glace Bay has a long and proud history of developing skilled tradespeople,” said Glace Bay High School student council co-president Makayla Roberts. “The skilled trades centre links the past to the future, a future full of promise and opportunity for the youth of our community.”

With the new centre, Glace Bay students can access courses such as:
— Skilled Trades 10, which gives an overview of all trades and focuses on using basic hand tools
— Construction Trades 11, which helps students develop skills essential to the construction trades and put them into use

Additional courses are expected to be added next year.

“This program means exciting new possibilities for hands-on learning for our students,” said Theresa MacKenzie, Glace Bay High School principal. “They can explore courses that will better prepare them for continuing education in their chosen careers.”

There are 11 skilled trades centres across the province.

For more information, visit http://novascotia.ca/education .

Source: Release