Changes coming to Skills Centre reflect new funding realities
By Contributor
Change has been the constant at the Skills Centre over the years, and several major changes are happening in the coming weeks.
First, the Skills Centre is announcing a change in leadership. After more than eight years in the role, executive director Morag Carter will be leaving at the end of March.
“Morag has done so much for the Skills Centre and the communities we serve. She has been a catalyst for major changes with the Skills Centre, including diversifying it’s programs, services and partnerships in the Greater Trail community. She has changed downtown Trail as the driving force behind the purchase and extensive eco-renovation of the Skills Centre’s new building that will provide opportunities for the community for many years to come,” says Rhys Andrews, chair of the Skills Centre board of directors.
“She has fostered staff development and not for profit excellence within the Skills Centre, and many of our local community services organizations have benefited from her leadership. Morag has volunteered on the LCCDTS board, the Mir Centre for Peace Advisory Committee and many other community groups, demonstrating what it means to be part of community and inspiring others,” he adds.
Changing course
Emily Gora will step into the role of executive director on April 1. Emily has worked for the Skills Centre for thirteen years, most recently as deputy executive director and development manager. She will continue providing leadership in management, fund-raising and program development for the organization.
The Skills Centre, like many communities and local service delivery agencies across BC, has experienced financial challenges over the past several months, the impact of reduced or eliminated federal and provincial funding for workforce development programming. As a result, there will be some reductions in services and staffing over the next few months. Such ebbs and flows have happened before, and the Centre has always come out stronger in the end.
“This is a time for creativity, innovation and collaboration. We are moving forward in a way that is beneficial to the community. We’ll be strengthening partnerships with employers, community members, and other nonprofits to develop and deliver programming,” Gora says.
“Our top priority is the quality of services we can offer our clients and our communities,” she says, adding that the Skills Centre will continue to work towards its vision of an inclusive, resilient and prosperous community.
“We are working very hard to ensure a sustainable future for the Skills Centre and its important contributions to the people and communities it serves. Our board members are 100% supportive of whatever changes we have to make,” Andrew’s says.
The Skills Centre is a non-profit strengthening rural and industrial communities and workplaces in BC through workforce skills development, training services, social development and poverty reduction programming. It offers these skills training and wellness programs to all demographics to build a caring community of skilled, productive and engaged people.
Comments