01/15/10—CLAC Expands Alberta Training Centre
Edmonton—CLAC officially opened the 11,000 square-foot expansion to its training centre today. The new West Building was built to accommodate the need for 12 additional welding booths, five classrooms, a large bay for scaffolding training, and space for aerial platforms and skid-steer training. The largest training room has been named the Frank Kooger Hall, in honour of CLAC’s late former Fort McMurray regional director.
The $2.25 million expansion was financed entirely by CLAC’s Alberta locals. The expansion was required because the existing training centre outgrew its capacity after only three years, thanks to CLAC’s strong growth in Alberta. Provincial government officials, CLAC signatory employers, suppliers, and others involved in training program development attended the opening.
“CLAC Alberta Training puts on approximately 10,000 courses annually,” says Frank Zee, Alberta director of Training. “With this expansion, we can increase that number by at least one half. We will also be offering additional programs such as pre-apprenticeship and specialized programs for Aboriginal students and for women interested in non-traditional occupations.”