Shell Canada Donation to NLC Power Lab - Northern Lakes College

MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate distribution
Northern Lakes College recipient of $500,000 Shell Canada donation
February 13, 2013 (Peace River) - Northern Lakes College’s Peace River Regional Power Engineering
Project received a major boost on Wednesday, February 13 th thanks to a $500,000 donation from Shell
Canada. The donation is the largest to the campaign thus far, and is a significant contribution to the
$2,000,000 campaign.
In recognition of Shell’s donation, the lab will be named the Shell Canada Power Engineering and
Technology Centre. The lab will be equipped with a Steam Electrical Generation Trainer, designed to
provide hands-on training for fourth class and third class power engineering students. Scheduled to open
in January 2014, the facility will be housed in the Phimester Building near the high school in Peace River.
Shell Canada is a long-time supporter of Northern Lakes College, and has been a strong advocate in the
initial drive for a power lab in the Peace Region. “Shell is proud to lend its name, and to be a major
contributor to this state-of-the-art training facility,” says Bob Blachford, Shell’s Peace River Operations
Manager. “Investing in educational programs that develop skilled technicians for the future is a key area
of focus for Shell. We look forward to the opening of this facility in 2014 and the opportunity to recruit its
future graduates for our operations both in the Peace River area and elsewhere in Alberta.”
“Northern Lakes College is honoured to have the confidence and support of Shell Canada on this
important initiative,” said President and CEO of Northern Lakes College, Rick Neidig. We are proud to be
naming the facility after an organization that shares a vision for a stronger regional economy through
innovative industry and educational partnerships.”
The Power Engineering Program at Northern Lakes College has grown exponentially over the past three
years, and demand from industry indicates that this growth will continue for years to come. The issue
however, is that obtaining the necessary steam time for certification is becoming increasingly challenging
for students. The Shell Canada Power Engineering and Technology Centre will provide over 80 students
a year, as well as high school dual credit students, the necessary steam time to become 4 th and 3 rd class
power engineers.
Northern Lakes College currently offers 5 th , 4 th and 3 rd class Power Engineering through online learning –
a delivery model that enables students to remain in their own community and stay on the job while
advancing their careers. This model has proven extremely successful as it allows students to study from
home, at their own pace and on their own time, while receiving instructor support whenever it is needed.
The service delivery model of the Shell Canada Power Engineering and Technology Centre will be
fashioned around this same approach: providing access to training in a flexible and student centered
manner. This new facility will break away from the traditional learning model by catering to all types of
learners. In addition to having a five week, full-time intake of students, the facility will also employ flexible
hours and schedules to suit the needs of students who are working during the day and high school dual
credit students.
For more information on this exciting initiative, please contact Monica Edwards, Fundraising Coordinator
at 780-849-8618 or edwardsm@northernlakescollege.ca
Northern Lakes College has campuses in over 25 communities across northern Alberta. Programs range
from upgrading to career studies, apprenticeship and university studies.
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For media inquiries please contact:
Tasha Albert
Assistant Director, External Relations
Northern Lakes College
ph. 780.849.8610
tasha.albert@northernlakescollege.ca