Lisa Scott
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 05/05) - A mine training program will be part of the expanded Kimberlite Career and Technical Centre.

That word came Monday as seven corporate sponsors joined Education minister Charles Dent, students and staff of Yellowknife Catholic Schools for a sod-turning to start work on the $1.5 million project.

Once completed in March 2006, the building will have doubled in size, adding 5,400 square feet to expand existing programs and add a new mine training program.

With a shortage of skilled labourers in the North, expanded training opportunities is important, said Kern Von Hagen, Catholic schools superintendent.

"We need to do our part in preparing students to take that next step in apprenticeship," he said.

The Kimberlite Centre opened in January 2004, but demand for programs like small engine mechanics and welding is so high that students are being turned away.

Thirty seven per cent of Grade 7-12 students who applied for programs this year were turned away, said Allyson Stroeder, co-ordinator for the centre.

This semester alone, there are more than 200 students in school programs, with Aurora College and community programs also using the space.

"I don't think we should ever turn a student away," said Stroeder.

"We need to give those kids as many opportunities as possible."

Project costs are being split by industry and the territorial government. Sponsors include De Beers Canada and mining contractor Procon/Ke Te Whii.