THE CITIZEN, Prince George — Friday. August 14. 1981 — 9 College gears to needs of local industries by BOB MILLER Staff reporter Business, industry, labor and community leaders are satisfied that College of New Caledonia is offering courses and programs geared to the job market in the Prince George region. They also say any shortfall in fine-tuning the curriculum to the needs of employers happens because of budgetary restraint. And they agree, because of its priorities, the college can not be all things to all people. Through its many advisory committees (there are 21 with more than 300 industry, community and education representatives) the college is trying to respond to the needs of the area, said Jim Brown, manager of the Canada employment centre. Input from these committees leads to establishing a course or program to meet local job needs — either short or long term. For example, the college is considering courses in first aid-timekeeping and partsman-warehouseman skills in great demand in Prince George. “We certainly have no criticisms,” Brown said. ‘‘We work closely with the college (where there are gaps in vocational courses) to resolve problems, but there are budget restraints and consequently priorities.” Mayor Elmer Mercier said the college has embarked on a policy of providing additional trades and industrial training and he’s confident it will see continued growth. He’s not certain how it 'will relate to the job pool that would be created by the north-east coal development, but he termed ANNOUNCEMENT The Citizen Business Verne Gatzke, President of Fort George Land, would like to welcome John Loftus to our sales team. John has several yeors experience in the housing market. John's phone number is 964-4556. Qntui^i lrfT~__JYffcl® Fort George Land Co. (1977) Ltd. 601 Victoria St. 564-4488 Top Quality Used Cars & Trucks GERRY LANCELOT Relax when you buy your previously o«vned car or truck from me . all our uied vehicles ore thoroughly checked over and all work done to guarantee customer satisfaction. Ask me to show you the work orderl SPRUCELAND CHRYSLER PLYMOUTH LTD. Matte 563-15 >ey at Westwood 22 DL 5027 ANNOUNCING Brock Smither — President, welcome* Joan Birks to REALTY WORLD — WESTERN HORIZON. Joan has resided in the Prince George orea for the past five years and has been working as a senior travel consultant. Joon's background in architectural design and interior decorating will lend itself well in assisting with her clients' real estate needs. The entire ogency wishes Joan every success in her new vocation. Welcome to "THE WORLD OF DIFFERENCE" Joan. it a step in the right direction. In general he said he’s pleased with the direction trades training is taking at the college because it’s important.to this area. Whether trade and voca-. tional training grows to meet future demands will depend on government funds, he said. According to the mayor, some- “seed money” has been given to the college to get new trades programs going and local pressure on the ministry of labor could loosen the purse strings for more. This route worked in getting the college’s nursing program off the ground. The college is trying to satisfy a broad spectrum of needs — technical, vocational, education upgrading and university transfer — and success hinges on good communication between itself and the communities it serves, said Les Waldie, director of industrial relations at Northwood Pulp. Northwood has taken advantage of an upgrading program for supervisory personnel and has been working closely with the college in the area of data processing. According to Waldie, data processing has become an area of rapid change and growth, and there is a real demand for skills of this nature in the pulp industry. While the college has attempted to tailor its courses to the individual needs of various communities in its region, it’s important the need for such courses be weighed heavily. “It’s easy to take the position that because we have pulp mills in Prince George the college should have pulp-related courses,” he said. But a lot of time an effort might go into setting up a course here that could better serve the needs of the industry at another location in the province. “We must look at community needs, but also look at pooling tc satisfy broader provincial needs. It’s easy to get trapped into saying ‘Hey, we need this’ when the course may be short-lived or limited.” Ed Bodner. secretary of the Prince George Labor Council, said organized labor has lobbyed for more trades apprenticeship programs at the college. partially to open the DUNWOODY & COMPANY CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS 315-280 Victoria Street Prince George, B.C. 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' Suite 305-1705 3rd Ave. Prince George, B.C. 562-8444 964-4634 trades to more apprentices. and also to keep young people from moving away for training and jobs elsewhere. Trades are becoming more technical and it will require the combined effort of industry, labor and the college to come up with programs that will meet these changes, he said. According to Bodner. trade unions are going to have to lobby the government to legislate some form of ratio between journeymen and apprentices. both to make the field attractive to newcomers and to ensure there are enough tradesmen to meet future demands. He said Prince George has great potential for solid growth in the trades but there are simply not enough apprenticeship programs available. Consequently when a major development occurs (such as northeast coal) employers have to look elsewhere for tradesmen. According to Bodner. many young people are geared for apprenticeships. Even at the high school level they could take programs that would dovetail with later trades training., but the courses are just not available here. Everyone talks about introducing high school level trades training, but nobody does anything about it. he said. The college is headed in the right direction. Bodner added, but it has to sort out its internal problems. It should continue dialogue with industry. labor and the community to find out what direction it should go. Ken Robinson, chairman of the Prince George Credit Fonder CREDIT FONCIER TRUST 20% 1 YEAR paid annually GUARANTEED TERM INVESTMENTS Prince George: 300 Victoria Street (604) 564-2300 Vancouver 681-5464 * Vernon: 542-4377 White Rock 531-7525 • Victoria 380-6601 MEMBER CANADA DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION We use Kodak paper, for the good look. V Most Color Films in at 10 a.m. Out at 5 p.m. =APPOINTMENT = Inland Natural Gas Co. Ltd. INDUSTRIAL FORESTRY SERVICE LTD. Forest Industries Building 1595 - Fifth Avenue Prince Geroge, B.C. 564-4115 Considering computers? Then consider I.F.S. We offer: — complete systems consulting from feasibility studies to implementation. — systems analysis, design and programming. — on-line computer services on our Digital VAX 11/780. For further information please call Cy Tordiffe Data Processing Manager Mr. R. Buchignani, Regional Manager. Northern Region, Inland Natural Gas Co. Ltd.. is pleased to announce the appointment of Brian E. Checkley as Customer Energy Advisor, now located in Prince George. Prior to joining Inland, Mr. Checkley held the position ol sales representative for York Division Borg Warner Canada Ltd., in Vancouver where he was responsible lor dealer development and involved in engineering and design of heating and air conditioning systems. Mr. Checkley will be available for energy advice to consumers and potential consumers in the Northern Region which includes Prince George, Chetwynd. Mackenzie. Williams Lake, Quesnel, Hudsons Hope and Lac La Hache. convenient to set up convenient monthly payments convenient tax records frees cash for other purposes 0* trade-ins accepted It s easier to deal with the source Come in and see j, Gordon Schade. Lease and Credit Manager SCHULTZ PONTIAC BUICK LTD. 1111 Central St. dln 5656 563-0271 our MLE/WOUNT GROUP “TOTAL CREDIT SERVICE” Collections - Retail - Commercial - NSF’s - Medical - Dental - Personal - Rental. Special Commercial Rates. Pre-collection Services Progress Reports. Bailiffs - Seizures - Document Service - Distress Warrants - Repairer Liens, and all other related services. A province wide operation to save you time and mileage charges. Credit Reporting - Verbal or Written reports on individuals or companies. Skip Tracing - Local - Provincial Various sytems available. National. ONE PLACE — ONE CALL COVERS IT ALL! Branch Offices In: Prince George Quesnel Williams Lake Kahnloops Kelowna Penticton Trail Chilliwack Abbotsford Victoria Duncan Nanaimo Port Alberni Courtenay Campbell River Edmonton Calgary Red Deer Grand Prairie Lethbridge Medicine Hat Fort McMurray VALLEY CREDITS LTD Credit Bureau of Prince George 101-1157-5th Ave. Prince George, B.C. 562-1251 Construction Association, said there is no question trades courses aimed at the construction industry have been lacking in past years, but this year three apprenticeship programs are available. The introduction of carpentry. masonry and electrical trades programs is a step in the right direction from an employer’s P.G. Automatic ' Transmission Co. Ltd. Standard & Automatic Specialist* 563-7667 Days or Eve* 500 Oucemway point of view since apprentices can stay in town for classroom instruction rather than go to the Lower. Mainland two months every year. An adjunct to trades training is a construction technology course the association has sponsored for a number of years Continued page 10 GMC — PONTIAC — BUICK CHEV — OLDS - FORD DATSUN — TOYOTA SUBARU — AMC LEASING? CARS and TRUCKS All Makes and Models At Low Competitive Rates Before you lease call us Leasing and rental is our only business CANUCK LEASING 563-3675 RETAIL AND OFFICE LEASES MASSEY SQUARE ILUu*. This shopping centre is located at the junction of two main traffic arteries and serves a high density and fast growing residential area. Lease areas range from 1000 to 3000 square feet at very competitive rates. For further information contact Mr. Mel Young at 564-1 111. ,he INDEPENDENT The Canadian Association of Independent Equipment Operators 2355A Nicholson St., Prince George, B.C. V2N 1W1 564-1251 THE INDEPENDENT The name for our newsletter was selected because it describes in one word the owner operator. An owner operator is independent in almost everything, except in probably the most important area — RATES. By grouping together, an owner operator becomes more independent. He no longer is told by the mill-prime contractor what is fair rate: but for a change, tells them what is a fair rate. FOREST SHUTDOWN It is very difficult for the owner operotor to accept this strike when he sees both sides not even talking. The Association has sent Jack Heinrich a telegram requesting that the Minister of Labour intervene in getting both sides back to the bargaining table. A couple of days after our telegram was sent. Premier Bennett asked both sides ofthe disputeif they wanted him to mediate. This offer was turned down. A couple of days later, Jack Munro, Chairman of the I.W.A. Negotiating Committee, phoned the employers group, requesting a resumption of talks. We certainly hope this break-through will lead to a speedy settlement. It's been a long spring break-up! SUCCESS IN BURNS LAKE We have successfully concluded negotiations with Babine Forest Products in Burns Lake. The moin reason for our success was that all the loggers stuck together to get a good deal. The rates are: • On-Highway trucks — $55.85 per hr. based on 27.0 Tonnes — up from $43.75 per hr. Off-Highway Trucks — $61.20 per hr. based on 4 1.7 Tonnes — up from $48.00 per hr. Fuel — Truckers are billed for fuel increases to $1.65-gal. The mill absorbes any increases after that. Line Skidders Behind a Snipper — $9.40 per cunit base rate — up from $7.75 per cunit. • » Anything more difficult is to be negotiated on site using a rental rate of $47.00-hr. GROUP INSURANCE PLAN We have a good, if not the best Group Insurance & Dental Plan to be offered to the independent operator. If you are concerned about the long term health of your family, give Howord a call at 562-4448 or 563-6631. MANAGER'S REPORT During the two months I have been with the Association, I have talked to many of our members on the phone, in the office or at meetings. Meetings have been held in McBride, Vale mount, Lillooet, 100 Mile House, Burns Lake, Prince George (2 meetings) and Mackenzie. WHY AN ASSOCIATION? The overall goal of this Association, is to provide the independent equipment operator a chance to make a fair and secure income in a safe working environment. LOWEST INSURANCE RATES As a member of the C.A.I.E.O. you can save up to 50% of your insurance costs. Rates offered are the most competitive in the entire province. Insurance offices are available throughout B.C. and Manitoba. Call ClaudeMe at 564-22 1) to get more information and the location nearest you. WCB HOLDBACKS Whot can the owner operator to about these holdbacks? 1. He can make sure he is paid up with the WCB. 2. Before you go to work for a prime contractor, a specific amount for a holdback should be discussed and settled on. 3. The Association has approached the Contractors Association (BCILA) to try and standardize the whole holdback problem. 4. If you have problems, contact the Association office at once. ASSOCIATE MEMBER DRIVE Suppliers to the logging industry depend a great deal on the owner operator. It is in the supplier's best interest to support the C.A.I.E.O. We have started a “Associate Member Drive" to get this support from the suppliers. Starting in next months newsletter, we will be listing our Associate Members and urging you to "support those who support you"! ICBC STRIKE ICBC has indicated that interest will be allowed for any outstanding rebate. Rate will be 15% per annu. This interest accrued, is called a "Convenience Payment." So if you have an outstanding rebate, make sure it includes a "Convenience Payment." MEMBERSHIP Membership has really boomed since the 1st of June — 25 members have renewed and 30 new members have signed up. HOW CAN YOU HELP? 1. Talk up the Association — tell your friends why You joined. 2. Sign up onother member. 3. Arrange a meeting of co-XRKERS — whether in the bunk house or on a landing. JACKETS We still have a number of C.A.I.E.O. jackets and T-shirts on hand. TAX TIPS Remember dues paid to the Association ars tax deductable as a business expense. EXECUTIVE MEETINGS The next Executive Meeting is August 30th, 1981 commencing at noon. // Loggers working together for a better deal"