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SAINT JOHN – A group of newcomers to Canada has completed truck driving training at the Saint John campus of New Brunswick Community College (ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û) and is ready to enter the workforce and meet labour market demand.

“We are committed to welcoming more learners from a diversity of cultural backgrounds, while providing training opportunities that will give our learners a competitive edge in the workplace,” said ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û President and  CEO Marilyn Luscombe. “With the current and projected shortage of truck drivers, this program fit both of those objectives.”

The newcomer truck driving program in Saint John is the result of a partnership between ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û, the YMCA of Greater Saint John and the Department of Post-Secondary Education to support newcomer success.

“Our goal is to connect newcomers with the community, and especially with employers, so they can continue to build their lives in the Saint John region,” said Angelique Simpson, vice-president of Newcomer Connections at the YMCA of Greater Saint John. “We’re excited to see this collaboration take off so quickly, and so many participants secure reliable, well-paying jobs. We’re grateful to the staff who have innovated to make this program a reality, to the employers who are promoting inclusion and diversity, and especially to our clients who bring new perspectives to our industries and landscape.”

The newcomer truck driving training program is consistent with the Government of New Brunswick’s commitments to grow the population by attracting immigrants and to make post-secondary education more accessible to students.

“As New Brunswick addresses the challenge of an aging and shrinking population, it is vital that we attract more newcomers to settle in New Brunswick,” said Post-Secondary Education Minister Roger Melanson. “Providing training for in-demand careers increases the employability of newcomers and increases the likelihood that they will choose to make New Brunswick their new home.”

With over 90 programs and six campuses across New Brunswick, ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û is a provincially recognized post-secondary institution renowned for producing skilled, knowledgeable college graduates. ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û offers students full-time concentrated study periods in one- and two-year certificate and diploma programs. For more information, visit: .

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Media inquiries: 
Tanya Greer
Communications Coordinator, ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û
Phone: 506.453.8194                            
Email: Tanya.greer@nbcc.ca

Leah Fitzgerald
Communications
Department of Post-Secondary Education
Phone: 506.444.4101
Email: leah.fitzgerald@gnb.ca