by Maria Driscoll

A new Underwater Welding, Inspection and Maintenance program offering advanced training and certification for underwater welders and fabricators will begin this fall at Holland College's Atlantic Welding and Fabrication Centre in Georgetown, Prince Edward Island.

The only one of its kind in Atlantic Canada, the program was officially announced today by the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Solicitor General of Canada and Member of Parliament for Cardigan; the Honourable Mike Currie, PEI Minister of Development and Technology; and Keith Dewar, Vice-President of Holland College.

"In a short period of time, the Atlantic Welding and Fabrication Centre has built a solid reputation for providing top quality training that meets the needs of industry. Expanding to offer this new program will bring even more students to Georgetown," said Minister MacAulay, on behalf of the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).

"Investing in the expansion at the Atlantic Welding and Fabrication Centre is a reflection of our government's ongoing commitment to skills development," said Hon. Mike Currie, Minister of Development and Technology. "Having this type of first-class training in Georgetown gives Islanders a great opportunity to train for skilled jobs in our region." Renovations to the Atlantic Welding and Fabrication Centre will include an 1,800 square foot expansion which will house the new water tanks required for training. It is expected that students will begin the new program in September 2002.

The decision to offer the program is a response to increasing employment opportunities in Canada's rapidly developing coastal infrastructure and off-shore industries.

"The College recognized a critical need for advanced training in the highly specialized field of underwater welding and inspection," said Keith Dewar, Vice-President of Holland College. "Within Atlantic Canada, demand for this trade is growing. In many instances, major companies look around the world for qualified trades persons who command considerable fees to provide their skills where and when required."

Employment opportunities in this field exist in projects related to harbour infrastructure, deep water drilling, ocean going rigs, oil and gas pipelines, shipping, shipbuilding and repair, bridge construction and maintenance, search and rescue operations and in the Canadian military.

Dewar also recognized the assistance the College received from the community and local industry in the development of this project. "The support the Atlantic Welding and Fabrication Centre received from Active Communities Inc., and businesses such as Northumberland Ferries and Marenco Engineering have been instrumental in bringing us to this announcement today."

The addition of the program is a natural complement to the Atlantic Welding and Fabrication Centre. The Centre is the welding, fabrication, plumbing and pipe-trades training facility of Holland College. Constructed in 1998, the Centre utilizes state of-the-art equipment and leading industry technology to deliver both full-time and customized training programs for individuals preparing for a career or who are currently involved in the welding, fabrication, plumbing and/or steamfitting pipefitting field.

Total cost of the project is $1.1 million. ACOA is contributing $498,165 through its Business Development Program; the P.E.I. Department of Development and Technology is providing $350,000 and Holland College is providing $252,000.