Yukon College’s Centre for Northern Innovation in Mining is one step closer to having its own building as the college has awarded TSL Contractors Ltd. a $4.6 million contract for the facility’s construction.
The new building is expected to be up and running in August 2016. That should allow more students to join the trades programs offered.
“We’re pretty much always at capacity for our trade programs,” said Jacqueline Bedard, director of college relations.
The new building should also allow for new trade programs. “We’re setting up more of our trades program, so you can take all of the levels in the Yukon,” she said.
The programs offer hands-on training for people interested in employment in the mining industry.
The new building will be on the Yukon College Ayamdigut Campus in Whitehorse, behind the Yukon Arts Centre.
It will house three classrooms, workshops to help train students to become skilled tradespeople like millwrights and heavy equipment mechanics, and offices.
Last November some preliminary work on the foundations was completed for the new building.
Yukon College starting offering some classes through the new mining school two years ago.
The mining school also has its Mobile Trades Training Trailer that it uses to deliver trade classes throughout the territory. So far, it has delivered programs in Dawson City, Pelly Crossing and Ross River.
The new building’s cost, including design, construction, furnishing and equipment, is expected to cost over $7 million.