CCNB honours the five Machining Co-op graduates!

Five graduates of the Machining Co-op program recently received their diplomas at the CCNB – Bathurst Campus. The Honourable Roger Melanson, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs was on hand to congratulate the graduates, along with Member of Parliament for Acadie - Bathurst, Serge Cormier.

Under this 64-week program, very similar to the Usinage de matériaux (Machinist) program offered by CCNB – Bathurst Campus, the graduates were able to complete two co-op placements totalling 24 weeks. All graduates received a job offer upon the completion of their program.

The graduates of the program are able to machine parts according to the required specifications, as well as repair defective parts, manufacture custom-made parts, and even participate in their design. They can read and interpret drawings, blueprints, charts, tables, and sample parts to determine the machining operations to be performed and plan the best sequence of operations.

The graduates are also able to set up, operate, and maintain a variety of machine tools, including computer numerically controlled (CNC) tools. They can verify the dimensions of products for accuracy and conformance to specifications using precision measuring instruments. They know how to fit and assemble machined metal parts and sub-assemblies using hand and power tools.

The program was developed by the CCNB after it received a request from Rasakti, which has a branch in Campbellton, New Brunswick, and operates mainly in the defense and aeronautic sector. The project then came about with the collaboration of the Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI). The Department of Post-Secondary Education funded the project.

“In January 2016, JEDI attended a meeting in Bathurst to discuss the lack of machinists in northern New Brunswick,” said Alex Dedam, President of the Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI). “Now we have five new Indigenous machinists graduating from CCNB’s 64-week accredited machining co-op program, writing their Block one exam in machining, and working full-time as machinists. We also have nine new Indigenous learners who started the same program in January 2018. This success is the result of multiple partners coming together to look for solutions in our own backyard and seeing the potential of the Indigenous population in New Brunswick.”

Minister Melanson warmly applauded the graduates and the partners that developed this innovative program.

“On behalf of the Government of New Brunswick, I congratulate the graduates of the machinist program, and I thank the CCNB, the Joint Economic Development Initiative, and Rasakti Inc. for working with us to develop this training,” said Treasury Board President Roger Melanson, who is also the Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs and Post-Secondary Education. “First Nations tradespeople and communities make a significant contribution to New Brunswick’s economic growth. We appreciate all of your efforts and your determination to practise your trade.”

Liane Roy, CEO of CCNB, is pleased that her institution decided to offer this program.

“The CCNB is privileged to have been chosen as a key partner in offering this program,” she said. “The CCNB is working hard to meet the expectations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada in order to better serve our Aboriginal partners and friends. Congratulations to the graduates! You have worked hard, and your dedication contributed to your success.”

Seated left to right: Corey Jerome, Dexter Isaac, Alex Isaac, Thomas Germain-Behren, and Shawn Moffatt.

Standing: Paolo Fongemie (Director, CCNB – Bathurst Campus), Paul Thériault (Department Head, Metals, Engineering and Construction, CCNB – Bathurst Campus, Elder Gilbert Sewell, Alex Dedam (President of JEDI), Minister Roger Melanson, Lisa Clory (Provincial Director, New Brunswick, Atlantic Canada Aerospace & Defence Association), federal MP Serge Cormier, Sylvio Boudreau (1st Vice-president and Secretary General of the CCNB), Darcy Gray (Chief of Listiguj), Patrick Hachey (program instructor), Jean-Marie Pelletier (Manager of Indigenous partnerships, CCNB), and Alain Gauvin (Head of Development, CCNB – Bathurst Campus).

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Information and interview requests:
Bruno Richard, Communications Consultant, CCNB, 506-543-0661, or bruno.richard@ccnb.ca