NorKam Trades and Technology Centre receives grand opening

The $7.4-million NorKam Trades and Technology Centre was officially opened Friday with a snip of a banner by school district, provincial government and Thompson Rivers University officials.

The centre has actually been open for several weeks but Friday marked the official grand opening. The new centre provides training workshops, specialized equipment and lecture areas to give secondary school students hands-on learning opportunities.

The centre will allow up to 100 students per year to train in new skills and trades programs not previously offered at NorKam. It expands the school’s existing skills-training areas, which include woodworking, metal, electronics, and automotive shops, as well as drafting, graphics, photo, computer and media labs.

Funding for the centre comes through a partnership of government, by the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and the Kamloops/Thompson board of education.