As announced by Yukon College
Yukon College held a grand opening ceremony today for the new Centre for Northern Innovation in Mining (CNIM) building at the Ayamdigut campus. The $8.3 million, 18,000 square foot building is eighty percent larger than originally envisioned and has been completed a year ahead of schedule.
Yukon Premier Darrell Pasloski, Yukon Minister for Energy Mines and Resources Scott Kent, Yukon Member of Parliament Larry Bagnell and the CNIM governing council joined students, faculty and staff for the ribbon cutting and tour of the new building with interim President Janet Moodie and CNIM Executive Director Shelagh Rowles.
“This ground-breaking programming will enhance the training experience for local students which will help the Yukon resource sector be the most technologically innovative that it can be. The Government of Canada is proud to support the Centre for Northern Innovation in Mining at Yukon College – support that will help to advance Canada’s economic competitiveness,” said Minister Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency.
“Mining has always been an important part of the way of life in our territory, and it will continue to make a significant contribution to the Yukon economy,” Premier Darrell Pasloski said. “The Yukon government is proud to invest in the development and operations of this new facility to train the next generation of skilled trades workers who will be ready to bring innovative ideas and practices to the mining sector.”
“The hands-on and real world experience that the Centre for Innovation in Mining offers will ensure Yukoners are well positioned with in demand skills for careers in the North,” said Minister of Education Doug Graham. “We are excited for the unique opportunities for learning and development that will now be available to students interested in mining and the skilled trades.”
“This new multi-use trades and technology teaching space enables the Centre for Northern Innovation in Mining at Yukon College to deliver flexible, dynamic training options necessary to expand the skilled workforce in Yukon,” said Dr. Paul West-Sells, CNIM Governing Council Chair and President and CEO of Western Copper and Gold.
“We are proud that this new building was designed and constructed by Yukon businesses—Kobayashi and Zedda Architects, TSL Contracting, Wildstone Construction and Engineering and Ketza Construction. It has been incredibly rewarding to see so many of our graduates working on this project and contributing directly to the next phase of trades and technology training at Yukon College,” said Shelagh Rowles, CNIM Executive Director, Yukon College.