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B.C., CNC team up for job skills training

The B.C. government is partnering with the College of New Caledonia campus in Quesnel to help those affected by the recent closure of the Canfor sawmill.

The B.C. government is partnering with the College of New Caledonia campus in Quesnel to help those affected by the recent closure of the Canfor sawmill.

The school received $150,000 from the province for job skills training and retraining opportunities.

"Training programs at the College of New Caledonia will help those affected by the mill closure hone their current skills, build on their experience and develop new skills," said Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes, in a press release.

The final board to be cut into lumber went through the Quesnel sawmill in mid-March. The mill shut down and 209 workers were affected when Canfor and West Fraser swapped timber harvesting rights in order to each keep other mills open.

CNC will work with the Quesnel Community Adjustment Team and affected workers to determine the training offered and may include programs for heavy equipment operators, occupational first aid, forklift operators, fire suppression and construction safety.

"We take great pride in being a community college and therefore are very grateful for this funding as it will allow us to help members of the community transition through this difficult time," said CNC president Henry Reiser.