The Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) will be getting a little more welcoming to students with disabilities and barriers to education, thanks to a one time grant of $75,000 from the provincial government.

The money comes as part of a wider accessible transition project from the B.C. government, which is providing $1.9 million to 20 post-secondary institutions in B.C. to increase training and resources for students with learning disabilities.

“NVIT is so successful in addressing the specific needs of the students in the Fraser Nicola. I have all the confidence in this program and am pleased that young people with a learning disability will be given access to training that will help them succeed in their studies and prepare them for high demand jobs within their trade.” added Fraser-Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart in a press release.

It is hoped that the funds will increase these students’ access to in-demand jobs such as the trades. There are 50 spaces being offered for students in the Bridging to Trades program in the the communities of Lower Nicola, Coldwater and the Upper Nicola Indian Bands. These programs are scheduled to run until May 2017.

“This $75,000 partnership with government provides NVIT the resources to pilot services that support the transition of learners with disabilities who wish to engage in high labour-market trades and technical programs and careers to opportunities that may include further classroom training and/or co-op placement, practicum, or job placement,” said NVIT president Ken Tourand in a press release.