School shops equipped with new tools to improve safety and help students succeed in trades

VICTORIA, BC – The Greater Victoria School District has undergone an extensive renewal of its middle and secondary school shops over the past few years. The shop renewal initiative aims to increase student safety and put new tools into the hands of students to best prepare them for the trades workforce.

The shop renewal initiative has included upgrading air extraction systems, replacing table saws with ‘saw-stop’ technology and providing schools with new tools and equipment.  Shops have also been expanded to better meet the needs of students and reconfigured to ensure safe working distances around the equipment.

The shop enhancements offer students a greater variety in career pathways to graduation and increases students’ opportunities for hands-on learning to best prepare for future careers. Support for shops has enabled the growth of student opportunities such as Youth Work in Trades, Youth Train in Trades, and Work Experience.

The District is inviting all media to a non-traditional ribbon cutting where a metal banner will be cut with a plasma cutter. This ‘Ribbon Cutting’ event is intended to celebrate the progress and to thank our contributors. Representatives from Canadian Welding, Seaspan, Industry Training Authority (ITA), South Island Partnership, (SIP) and Camosun College will be present.

Comments at the celebration will be made from Board Chair – Jordan Watters, Minister of Education – Rob Fleming and the Director of Training with the ITA – Paulette Sangalang.

Shop Renewal ‘Ribbon Cutting’ Event:

When:                  Wednesday, April 10, 2019
Time:                    12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Where:                Spectrum Community School in the School’s Metal/Auto Shop (located at the backside of the school parking lot)

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For media enquiries, please contact:

Lisa McPhail  
Communications & Community Engagement
Greater Victoria School District
Office: 250.475.4103
www.sd61.bc.ca  | @sd61schools