Atlantic Welding Technology Centre
December 12th, 2013
Over $2.6 million is being invested in the Collège Communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB) Bathurst in a pair of projects, including the establishment of the Atlantic Welding Technology Centre.
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 the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (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 funding was announced Nov. 29.
“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.”
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.
“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 CCNB President and CEO Liane Roy. “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.