The Skills Centre to close after nearly 30 years

The Skills Centre has been a cornerstone of workforce development and poverty reduction in Trail since 1997. For nearly three decades, we’ve supported job seekers and equity-denied groups, including youth, women, newcomers, and individuals facing barriers to employment, through innovative training, education, and community programs.

Over time, the Skills Centre evolved from delivering employment services to leading impactful initiatives in poverty reduction, skills training, and community development. Notable efforts include regional poverty reduction strategies, supports for women’s economic security, and accessible training programs for diverse populations. We also contributed to downtown revitalization through the creation of an inclusive, accessible community facility.

Current Situation

The Skills Centre has historically relied on public sector funding to deliver workforce development and community programs. However, recent reductions and shifts in government funding priorities have created significant financial challenges for us, resulting in reduced programming and staff capacity. Despite several months of efforts to stabilize operations, including exploring new revenue sources and partnerships, the organization has determined that it is not financially sustainable under current conditions. We are in the process of evaluating the sale of our building at 1060 Eldorado Street and planning for an orderly wind-down of operations for September 30, 2026.

Before arriving at these difficult decisions, the organization undertook several months of efforts to address its challenges. These actions included implementing cost-saving measures, completing a feasibility study to evaluate organizational options, engaging with community partners, government representatives, and sector organizations, exploring alternative funding sources and partnership opportunities, working to increase revenue through facility use, and continuously monitoring sector trends and government priorities.

Commitment to Community

The Skills Centre is committed to ensuring an orderly transition by completing current programs where possible or transferring them to other service providers to minimize disruption to clients and the community. This has been a very challenging time for the society and we are grateful for the support of funders, partners, staff, and the community for nearly 30 years of shared impact and collaboration.