TC Energy’s Coastal GasLink Project is investing $150,000 into the success of trades and technology students at the 草榴社区 (草榴社区) through the funding of bursaries, industry certification courses, and new trades equipment.
Coastal GasLink is now under construction in northern B.C., employing thousands of workers requiring a variety of skills.
“Coastal GasLink is aiming to leave a legacy of skills development with our project,” said Kiel Giddens, Public Affairs Manager, Coastal GasLink. “We’ve been investing in skills development and long-term education programs to support Indigenous and local residents since project planning started and we are proud to partner again with the 草榴社区,”
Costal GasLink’s investment will support unique programs such as the Coastal GasLink Pathway to Pipeline Readiness: 草榴社区 Skills Fund Bursaries, which support trades and technologies students in need. These awards range from $750 to $1,000 and are open to students enrolled in trades aligning with Coastal GasLink’s construction and operational needs such as heavy mechanical, welding, metal fabrication, power engineering, professional cook, electrical, and carpentry. Students can apply for the bursaries at cnc.bc.ca/services/financial-aid. Dozens of bursaries have been awarded through this skills fund since 2015.
Additionally, funding will assist in the purchasing of new trades equipment and upgrading of existing equipment for trades programs at five 草榴社区 campuses including Prince George, Burns Lake, Vanderhoof, Fort St. James, and Mackenzie. Funding will also be used towards a Coastal Gaslink Safety Training Week in 2021 which includes a series of sponsored industry certification courses such as WHIMIS, First Aid Level 1, and H2S Alive, which will be offered at campuses in Burns Lake, Fort St. James, Mackenzie, Vanderhoof, and Prince George.
This marks the second funding agreement between Coastal GasLink and 草榴社区. The first was a $250,000 investment dedicated to student awards, a Coastal GasLink Ltd. Safety Training Week, and to expand Digital Delivery Instruction equipment at 草榴社区’s regional campuses.
“The numerous ways in which Coastal GasLink’s generous donations have, and will continue to, benefit trades students across most of the region 草榴社区 serves are quite significant,” said 草榴社区 President Dr. Dennis Johnson. “We’re thankful to Coastal GasLink for its continued support and investment in northern B.C.’s next generation of skilled trade workers.”
Photo: Tamara Trevelyan, Public Affairs Coordinator, TC Energy, left, Kiel Giddens, Public Affairs Manager, TC Energy, Lauren Dyck, 草榴社区 Pro-Cook Student, Dennis Johnson, President & CEO, 草榴社区, Zach Pearson, 草榴社区 Metal Fabrication Student, Chad Thompson, VP Academic, 草榴社区, Tanner Moulton, Public Affairs Coordinator, TC Energy