September 8, 2006 Source: :
http://www.bcit.ca/news/releases/newsrelease090806399.shtml Three hundred BCIT construction trade students say thank you to PCL for half-million dollar boost BURNABY, BC: Trades training in British Columbia receives a shot in the arm today, as PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc. (PCL) presents a gift of $500,000 to some 300 construction trade students at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). An estimated 300 construction trade students will be on hand in BCIT’s Carpentry Courtyard today, September 8, to thank PCL for its gift as part of their centennial year. The PCL gift will be divided into two parts: $420,000 to increase the number of trades people trained at BCIT over the next three years, and $80,000 to fund a permanent endowment to provide student financial aid to the best and brightest students applying to construction trades training programs at BCIT. "PCL is demonstrating exceptional leadership in making a gift of this size at a time when the demand for skilled workers in the construction industry is at an all-time high," says Dr. Tony Knowles, President of BCIT. "It will directly benefit students by giving them access to training, and will help ensure the health of BC’s economy, and the industry, as a whole." "British Columbia is currently facing the largest shortage of skilled tradespeople in recent history," says Anibal Valente, Vice-President and District Manager, PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc. "In order to help sustain both the short and long term viability of this important industry, PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc. is taking a leadership role and making a major gift to support the next generation of trades people in Western Canada." "PCL is entirely employee-owned," says John English, Dean of BCIT’s School of Construction and the Environment, "so the people their gift will help train today, could very well be the owners of PCL tomorrow." BCIT is Canada's leading polytechnic, offering degrees, diplomas and certificates in a variety of polytechnic studies. BCIT educates 48,000 students annually in six schools: business; computing and academic studies; construction and the environment; health sciences; manufacturing, electronics and industrial processes; and transportation. It is also the largest trades training institution in BC, providing the majority of apprenticeship training in the province. -30- For further information, media can call:
Allison Markin, Media Relations Manager
Tel. 604-432-8773
Cell 604-836-6700
allison_markin@bcit.ca For more information about construction and other trades training at BCIT, visit the School of Construction and the Environment or trades and apprenticeship.
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