The chance to expand educational opportunities for its mill employees has created a partnership between West Fraser Mills and the College of New Caledonia.
The new deal, announced Tuesday in Quesnel, will lead to training opportunities for West Fraser employees and improve access to college courses for students in the north central Interior.
"We will collaborate with West Fraser Mills on designing and delivering programs to meet industry-related needs such as millwrights," said Doug Larsen, CNC's Quesnel regional campus director. "We will also provide continuing education courses and credentials designed to accommodate industry needs and employee growth."
Retraining current and future employees is a key ingredient in a productive forest industry and Ray Ferris, vice-president of wood products for West Fraser Mills Ltd., said CNC has a reputation in developing its course content to meet industry needs.
CNC will consult with West Fraser to determine the necessary equipment or parts needed to implement the program and will work at creating opportunities for donors to supply that equipment.
"By working together with CNC in Quesnel we can create a more effective delivery program and ultimately develop more skilled trades people to support West Fraser and the industry," Ferris said. "West Fraser has a long and successful history of promoting and developing its employees. Trades apprenticeships within our operations [are] seen as a key employee development opportunity and retention strategy."
The efforts of Mary Glassford, former Cariboo Regional District director in the Quesnel region, were instrumental in forming the working relationship between CNC and West Fraser.
"Certainly a partnership of this magnitude couldn't have been accomplished without the help of Mary Glassford, whose diligent work and tireless contribution to the City of Quesnel and the surrounding region is second to none," said CNC president John Bowman. "I thank her for her dedication in championing this cause."
