The idea of expanding post secondary education opportunities in Yorkton have been making their rounds for several years.
There has been a feeling the city should become a regional learning centre, one which would allow youth in the city, and area, an option to take more training here, rather than having to move to Regina or Saskatoon.
Like many things which revolve around government, the idea, while a great one, has taken time to gather the sort of momentum required to see it become a reality.
Parkland College though now seems to have the ball rolling as it has unveiled plans for a new trades and technology centre for the city.
The plan is one which has a solid foundation behind it in the sense the educational options which are going to be offered are tailored to the trends in the job market.
For example the plan calls for educational opportunities in the mining, construction and agricultural industries.
Market projects indicate a need for some 5,000 new skilled mine workers over the next decade, and doesn't include the 4,000 estimated to retire from the field over the same time.
The construction industry is also seeing strong growth forecasts in Saskatchewan, and that will mean more skilled workers are required.
Those sorts of projections speak to the need for such a trades and technology centre, and Parkland College should be commended for the foresight to move its future in line with the anticipated job needs.
When complete the centre will be equipped for welding, carpentry, metal trades, electrical trades, power engineering, nursing and other health-related programs.
The inclusion of nursing and health trades is interesting because it could help strengthen the importance of the local hospital by having it become a training centre, something it was in the past.
The centre is designed to be built in two phases, at a combined cost of $29 million, which of course will be the major hurdle. Accessing the capital will be a challenge.
The missing component also appears to be student residences. It is great to build post secondary education opportunities for 300 more students in the city, although rental vacancy rates quickly make one ask where the students are going to stay.
The need for student housing will grow with the completion of the centre, and there will need to be some plan formulated by the college, government, and potentially private business partners to meet those needs.
