The Atlantic Welding Technology Centre will be established in Bathurst through partnerships with leading welding equipment manufacturers, a New Bnswck gvenmen news elease sas.
The centre will showcase innovative welding systems to local business, provide training opportunities on the latest equipment, and lead applied research projects to adapt or adopt new technology.
The services of the centre will be made available to companies throughout Atlantic Canada in partnership with the College of North Atlantic, the Nova Scotia Community College, Holland College and the New Brunswick Community College.
The federal government, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), is contributing $1.2 million toward the establishment of the centre, under the Innovative Communities Fund, while the provincial government is investing $500,000.
“Focusing on priority sectors identified in our government’s economic development plan, such as value-added wood and industrial fabrication, where welding technology is an important trade, as well as protecting and creating jobs, is a centrepiece for attention and action by our government,” said Natural Resources Minister Paul Robichaud, who is also minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation. “Our government strongly believes that our province is uniquely positioned to adopt an innovation-based economic development approach in order to rebuild New Brunswick. We continue to work with all communities and regions to ensure that our province derives maximum benefits from major economic opportunities while ensuring responsible resource development.”
“Our government is pleased to invest in the establishment of the Atlantic Welding Technology Centre at CCNB’s Bathurst campus,” said Rob Moore, federal minister of state for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). “Advances in welding and joining are key to improving the competitiveness of the Atlantic manufacturing sector and securing its position in global supply chains. Funding announced today will also assist the value-added wood sector to remain competitive and sustain profitability. Our government knows that the rapid adoption of technology, productivity improvements and keeping on top of market intelligence are of vital importance to the long-term competitiveness of these important sectors.”
Through partnerships with leading welding equipment manufacturers, the centre will showcase innovative welding systems to local business, provide training opportunities on the latest equipment, and lead applied research projects to adapt or adopt new technology. The services of the centre will be made available to companies throughout Atlantic Canada in partnership with the College of North Atlantic, the Nova Scotia Community College, Holland College and the New Brunswick Community College.
The federal government, through ACOA, is contributing $1.2 million toward the establishment of the Atlantic Welding Technology Centre, under the Innovative Communities Fund, while the provincial government is investing $500,000.
The second project supports the CCNB in retaining the services and expertise of FPInnovations Inc. (FPI), one of the leading scientific innovation corporations for the forestry sector. Through this project, two full-time industrial advisors will be available throughout the province for two years and will take advantage of the company’s national network of industrial advisors, researchers, technology and marketing specialists. These specialists will accelerate knowledge transfer to the province’s value-added wood sector by identifying new technology and market development opportunities.
The value-added wood sector represents more than 200 companies and more than $1.5 billion in exports for the provincial economy.
The provincial government is providing $400,000 toward the project while the federal government, through ACOA, is investing $503,500 under the Innovative Communities Fund.
“These investments will allow CCNB to play a greater role in supporting economic development among small and medium businesses and economic development agencies, while providing our students with training that meets the new requirements of the labour market,” said Liane Roy, president and chief executive officer of CCNB. “In addition, our industrial services research team will be able to help develop and integrate new technologies, making New Brunswick a leader in the welding and lumber industries.”
The CCNB includes five campuses located in Bathurst, Campbellton, Dieppe, Edmundston and the Acadian Peninsula. Each campus provides high-quality educational services and training, and values the importance of a skilled, well-trained workforce that responds to changing job demands.
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