Kwantlen trades program eyes equipment upgrade

This is a LabVolt electromechanical trainer. It's used to teach students how to connect different types of rotating machines into electrical circuits. It also allows them to examine what happens to rotating machines when different levels and types of loads are connected to the electrical circuit.

Contributed photo

Share this story

Tweet

Kwantlen Polytechnic University's Cloverdale campus will soon be home to some much-needed new training equipment for students in the trades.

The trades and technology campus has received $733,006 in money from the B.C. Ministry of Advanced Education, it was announced this week.

The money will allow the university to upgrade its facilities with more current equipment, enabling students who are on their way to becoming trades professionals to practice their skills, Henry Reiser, dean, faculty of trades and technology said.

"The new equipment has been identified by our dedicated faculty who will be able to maximize the benefit in their true-to-life practical exercises," he said.

The list of items includes: a geothermal training system for the plumbing program, a "LabVolt" electromechanical trainer used in electrical training, submerged arc welding equipment and welding robotic simulators for the welding program, scan tools for automotive service technician training, and two items for the millwright program, a hydraulic circuit board and laser alignment equipment.

The new equipment will be on campus and ready for students by the end of March.

At its trades and technology campus, Kwantlen trains apprentices in automotive mechanical repair, automotive parts, bricklaying, cement mason, industrial engines and equipment parts, industrial warehousing, millwright, welding, upholstery, carpentry and farrier.

The Cloverdale campus also offers public safety communications 9-1-1 and drafting programs.

Follow the Cloverdale Reporter on Twitter and Facebook. View our print edition online.