Investment welds confidence
Government, college officials announce funds for new equipment at Alberton campus
ALBERTON— Lyle Longuepee is more certain than ever that he made the right choice when he signed up for Holland College’s welding program.
The first-year student was in attendance at the Alberton centre on Thursday when National Revenue Minister Gail Shea announced $269,044 in Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) funding to purchase state-ofthe-art equipment for the college’s welding programs in Alberton and Georgetown.
The equipment, Shea noted, will help prepare students for growing opportunities in the metals trades, including the job boom that is expected to hit when the federal government’s $33 billion National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy ramps up.
“It just makes great economic sense,” she said. Longuepee agrees. “That is great news for me because I have children who I need to support,” Longuepee said. “That is a great investment to secure a job in the future for me.”
Even if he doesn’t move to Halifax to work in the shipyard, the Breadalbane resident is confident firms close to home will win contracts through the procurement strategy, and some will need to replace workers who pursue new opportunities.
“I always liked welding, but this new investment has definitely boosted my confidence,” he said.
“That’s somebody’s career,” he said of the 25 to 30 years it will take to fill the contract. “Hopefully it’s a good one.”
The Alberton centre’s welding instructor, Rick Cheverie, listed some of the equipment obtained through the funding: Two XMT 350s (multi-power, multi-use welders, suitcase welders similar to what would be used in shipyard and a pipe beveller. Still to arrive are a CNC cutting table and a pipe and tubing bender.
Georgetown is also obtaining new equipment including a robotic welder.
Cheverie noted work in the field is not limited to shipbuilding.
“I have shops around P.E.I. that have been calling looking for welders,” he said. “There’s a big demand for welders.”
The growing opportunities also seem good for enrollment. There are nine students in the Alberton program this year. A full class is 12. Cheverie said 16 students have already applied for admission into the program next year.
“We are entering an exciting time. This training will open so many doors for the students,” the federal minister responsible for P.E.I. commented.
“It is anticipated the skills you students receive through these programs will be in very high demand over the coming years,” Shea advised the Alberton students who took time off from their training to hear her announcement.
Student Jordan Gaudet said, tongue-in-cheek, there’s only one downside to the funding announcement: “We’ll be too spoiled.”
He said he is really looking forward to the arrival of the CNC table with plasma cutter and learning how to work it.
“Great news for Holland College. Great news for P.E.I. Great news, most importantly, for the learners,” said college president Brian Mcmillan.