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Media Release
Release Date: May 12, 2015

The Camosun College Foundation announced today that in just six months it has exceeded the million dollar milestone in its TRADEmark of Excellence Campaign, clearly positioning the final $5 Million target in its sightline. Campaign contributions will provide enhanced teaching equipment and facilities, making the Trades Education and Innovation Complex not just a reality, but a truly remarkable trades education facility.

Flanked by milestone donors representing the who's who of local industry and business, campaign co-chairs Murray and Lynda Farmer announced the $1.5 million milestone, and introduced the benefactors. "These individuals are forward thinkers and have recognized the remarkable opportunity that exists to make an investment in building human potential," says Lynda Farmer. "An investment that advances trades education enhances job skills and the lives of highly motivated students who discover rewarding careers and ultimately power the fundamentals of the BC economy."

"This is a significant accomplishment and cause for celebration," says Murray Farmer. "Moving forward we want to inspire others to get involved by financially supporting this project."

Camosun's Dean of the School of Trades and Technology says, "Constructing the new building at the Interurban campus is just phase I of this project. Phase II entails an overhaul and refurbishment of the existing trades facilities, modernizing the electrical, carpentry, pipe trades, fine furniture and advanced manufacturing teaching areas. That's where the $5 million from the TRADEmark of Excellence Campaign will really kick in, expanding the capacity and effectiveness of combined teaching spaces. We are building 80,000 sq. ft. in our brand new building; what we'll end up with is 250,000 sq. ft. of new and renovated space to meet the demands of the next generations of skilled trades learners."

"The essence of profound educational opportunity is the moment of discovery that happens between a gifted educator and a committed student," says campaign director Angus Matthews. "The commitment and  generosity of our milestone donors will enable us to create the optimal environment for remarkable teaching moments to happen in this space in just a few months."

The announcement took place amid the clamor of work crews on the sprawling construction site. The new 80,000 sq. ft. trades training facility will open its doors in September, marking a new era for training students in the automotive, heavy-duty and welding/fabrication/sheet metal trades. Work will then begin on renovations to the existing buildings resulting in the completion of the largest trades education initiative in BC, eighteen months later.

Contact

Angus Matthews
Campaign Director, TRADEmark Campaign of Excellence
250-370-4232
matthews@camosun.ca

Camosun Communications Office
250-370-4626
tinis@camosun.ca

Lynda and Murray Farmer

Murray and Lynda Farmer, co-chairs of the TRADEmark of Excellence campaign cabinet.

donors and students

TRADEmark of Excellence donors and student hosts celebrate reaching the $1.5 million milestone.


Backgrounder

Camosun Foundation's TRADEmark of Excellence Campaign

The Need

  • B.C. expects one million job openings by 2022
  • More than 78% of jobs will require some form of post-secondary education, and 44% of jobs will be in skilled trades and technical occupations

The Project

Camosun's new Trades Education and Innovation Complex will radically enhance the college's ability as a trades training powerhouse for the Island and beyond. It's a showcase example of education, industry and labour joining in partnership with government and their 10-year strategic plan to re-engineer skills training for BC's future economic growth.

The Complex encompasses 250,000 square feet of new and renovated classroom, lab and yard space dedicated to the delivery of 20 different trades foundation and apprenticeship programs.

A new 80,000 square foot facility will be built to LEED Gold-certified standards with 10 brand new learning spaces including:

  • a new Marine and Metal Trades Centre with expanded classrooms and shop space for Welding, Sheet Metal and Metal Fabrication, as well as Nautical and Marine Trades programs;
  • a new Mechanical Trades Centre to house Heavy Duty/ Commercial Truck Transport Mechanics, Automotive Services and Aerospace-related programs;
  • hands-on lab facilities to house leading-edge equipment to prepare our students to add value to BC's most forward-thinking employers;
  • a large central Student Commons Atrium to provide study space to all students, foster interdisciplinary collaboration among the different trades, and offer a unique location for college and industry special events.

The project also includes the retrofitting of Camosun's eight current trades shops in the Jack White and John Drysdale buildings to provide expanded space for the college's carpentry, joinery, plumbing, electrical, and applied research programs.

The Campaign

To make certain Camosun's new Trades Education and Innovation Complex is the very best it can possibly be, the Camosun Foundation is seeking the support of individuals, community, labour, business and industry to contribute a further $5 million toward the latest specialized tools, technical equipment and resources for learning to enhance programs for Camosun's trades students and faculty.

All donations to the Camosun Foundation's TRADEmark Campaign are tax deductible and 100 per cent of all donations go directly to Camosun's Trades Education and Innovation project.

The Campaign Cabinet

The Camosun Foundation's TRADEmark Campaign Cabinet members include:

  • Murray and Lynda Farmer, Co-Chairs
  • Jeety Bhalla, Chair, Camosun Foundation
  • Ginny and Bob Alger, Owners, Horizon Power Installations
  • Ian Anderson, CEO, Kinder Morgan
  • James Carson, President, Carson Automotive Group
  • Kyman Chan, Partner, Hayes Stewart Little and Company
  • David Chard, President, Chard Developments Ltd.
  • Mike Corrigan, CEO, BC Ferries
  • Shari Corrigan, Camosun Foundation Board Member and Faculty Member
  • David Curtis, President and CEO, Viking
  • Wayne Dalby, General Manager, Ralmax Group
  • Bruce Dyck, Retired construction executive
  • David Jawl, Director, Trebizond Developments and GM, Island Floor Centre
  • John Knappett, President, Knappett Projects
  • John Mutton, President, Municipal Solutions – Energy and Infrastructure
  • Craig Norris, CEO, Eagalus Management
  • Dave Obee, Editor-in-Chief, Times Colonist
  • Tom Siemens, VP, Commercial Banking, Royal Bank
  • Barry Scroggs, President, Farmer Group of Companies
  • Len Wansbrough, President, Metropolitan Capital Partners and Camosun Alumnus
  • Dave Wheaton, GM/Owner, Wheaton Chevrolet Buick Cadillac GMC
  • Jonathan Whitworth, CEO, Seaspan ULC

Camosun College

From welders to nurses, carpenters to accountants and engineering technologists, Camosun College transforms lives to build a better community; a better future. Camosun's two large campuses, situated in Victoria, BC, serve over 18,000 students in 160 different certificate, diploma, bachelor degree and continuing education programs each year.

Last updated: May 14, 2015 4:11 pm

Contact Us
Camosun College Lansdowne
3100 Foul Bay Rd
Victoria BC V8P 5J2
Camosun College Interurban
4461 Interurban Rd
Victoria BC V9E 2C1
  • 250–370–3000
  • 1–877–554–7555 (toll-free)

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