For immediate release
October 2, 2013
KPU coordinates national steel and manufacturing initiatives locally
Metro Vancouver, BC – This Friday marks both Manufacturing (MFG) Day and Steel Day in Canada, and Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) is spearheading the drive for greater recognition of the South Fraser Region's substantial manufacturing and steel fabrication industries.
On October 4, steel fabricators, mills, service centres, galvanizers and producers across the country will open their facilities, sites and offices for a behind-the-scenes look at how the steel industry contributes to building Canada. Similar to Steel Day, MFG Day will invite students, educators and the general public to learn first-hand about the Canadian manufacturing industry.
In Surrey, KPU will host and support the coordination of local industry events, which aim to challenge the misperceptions about manufacturing and forge new relationships across industry. The full day of events, organized in part by the university’s dean of trades and technology and dean of science and horticulture, will be preceded by a Surrey Board of Trade Manufacturing and Steel Industry Reception. On Friday, KPU Cloverdale is also offering tours of its trades, technology and engineering facilities
“Steel and Manufacturing Day is an excellent opportunity for the community to investigate careers in this important economic engine in the South Fraser Region. KPU is well positioned to offer programming where the graduates are well prepared to enter into steel and manufacturing industries,” says Dean Henry Reiser, faculty of trades and technology.
In British Columbia, 70 per cent of all manufacturers are located in the Lower Mainland, and with Steel/MFG Day, industry will highlight both the challenges and the opportunities presented by such a thriving local sector.
“As KPU moves ahead toward fulfilling its role as a polytechnic institution, we are seeing the development of various programs of applied focus. These will undoubtedly contribute growth and technological support for numerous burgeoning industries in this area. Steel and Manufacturing Day highlights the prospects for mutually beneficial developments and interactions between post-secondary education and local industry,” says Dean Elizabeth Worobec, faculty of science and horticulture.
Locally, Steel Day will showcase steel fabricators, erectors and detailer companies that employ approximately 7,000 people in BC. As the province has to compete with more with foreign sources, the goal of the event is to educate and enthuse, and eventually increase the industry’s size, innovativeness and competitiveness. See events at: www.steelday.ca.
Manufacturing in BC directly and indirectly accounts for over 400,000 jobs. MFG Day allows local manufacturers the opportunity to create a dialogue, address their skilled labour shortage, connect with future generations and ensure ongoing industry prosperity. See events at: www.mfgday.com.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University has been serving the Metro Vancouver region for 30 years, and has opened doors to success for more than 250,000 people. Four campuses—Richmond, Surrey, Cloverdale and Langley—offer a comprehensive range of sought-after programs, including business, liberal arts, science, design, health, trades and technology, apprenticeships, horticulture, and academic and career advancement. Over 18,000 students annually have a choice from over 145 programs, including bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, diplomas, certificates and citations. Learn more at www.kpu.ca.
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For more information about KPU, contact:
Hayley Woodin
Media Specialist
Tel: 604.599.2883
hayley.woodin@kpu.ca