September 29, 2006 Source: :
http://www.mala.ca/media/release.asp?ID=949 Career prospects bright at carpentry celebration Burgers, cake, customized T-shirts and the promise of future careers in the construction industry rewarded 18 students from Malaspina University-College who framed a 1,520 square foot house as part of their Carpentry Framer Technician training. At the lock-up celebration on September 28, the students all received customized T-shirts donated by Palladian Developments, a builder on Insight Group’s Hawthorne development in Nanaimo. The house is the third in the subdivision to be framed by students. "Without the generous assistance of Palladian Developments, our students would not have the opportunity to work on these types of projects," said Malaspina carpentry instructor Mike Braun. Doug Bromage, president of the Canadian Homebuilders Association of Nanaimo and general manager of Insight Group, told the students carpentry skills are in demand. "I cannot tell you how important your training is," he said. "I just spent a week travelling across Western Canada and everywhere I went, there were people looking for help. Get trained and you’ll have a job – guaranteed." Students started the program in April, attending the carpentry course from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. In October they will complete a four-week practicum prior to graduating from the program on November 2. Guests at the celebration also received ball caps celebrating the 70th anniversary of trades training in Nanaimo. Fred MacDonald, the Dean of Trades and Applied Technology for Malaspina University-College, said carpentry was the first class offered when the Dominion Provincial Vocational Training School opened in Nanaimo in 1936. That institution has evolved into the Trades and Applied Technology Department at Malaspina. Approximately 120 people attended the celebration. -30- For more information contact: Toni O'Keeffe, Director of Communications & Public Relations. Phone (250) 740-6341; FAX (250) 740-6474; E-mail okeeffet@mala.bc.ca
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