(Standing, from left) Herman Sitz, Head of Mission, Consulate-General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Vancouver; Teresa Wat, BC Minister of International Trade; Faye Halls (Yeltsilewet), Department Head, Squamish First Nation Employment and Training; Dianne Watts, City of Surrey Mayor. (Sitting, from left) Dr. Guido Rettig, Chairman of the Board of Management of TÜV Nord Group; Dr. Alan Davis, KPU President and Vice-Chancellor
For immediate release
September 24, 2013
KPU goes international to enhance local trades training
Metro Vancouver, BC – Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) has become the first Canadian partner of TÜV Nord with the announcement of its official partnership with one of the world's leading international technical service providers on Monday.
Based in Germany, TÜV Nord provides security, inspection and certification in the fields of industry, mobility, natural resources, aerospace, education and training, and KPU's partnership with the company will open up discussions about joint research initiatives, and the exploration of areas of mutual interest in trades, technology and management education.
KPU President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Alan Davis and Dr. Guido Rettig, Chairman of the Board of Management of TÜV Nord Group, signed the Memorandum of Understanding at the university's trades and technology campus in Cloverdale.
"British Columbia is on the verge of a bold new era of energy and natural resource development which will see the province evolve and grow stronger. Nowhere is this better exemplified than in the City of Surrey. It is dynamic, entrepreneurial, green and open for business. KPU is proud to have played a key role in its development, and is poised to do so much more," says Dr. Davis. "This facility in Cloverdale is one of four KPU campuses, and has some of the best skilled trades training shops and instructors in Canada. Its students are focused and engaged, and its graduates are always fully employed."
The partnership will present KPU with a global opportunity to carve out a niche in the training market, to become a local leader in technical training and to address the education needs related to the BC ministry's jobs plan.
With a campus dedicated to trades and technology in BC's fastest growing region, and 73 acres of land ready to be dedicated to new facilities, KPU will look to develop specialized training – with the global expertise of TÜV Nord – for jobs in areas like the liquefied natural gas industry.
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