A few months ago we put out a call: share your ideas on how the warehouse at 1330 Esplanade Ave could be used to support the community. 93 people answered the call! There are so many great ideas, and we truly appreciate the time, effort and energy spent into completing the survey. While the Skills Centre will be ceasing operations September 30, these results can be used by many community groups to enhance the community. Thank you all again!
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Check out the results here: <a href="https://partners.blackbean.marketing/skillscentre/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/Community-Consultations-on-Future-Warehouse-Use.pdf">Community Consultations on Future Warehouse Use</a>

Community consultation on warehouse use - survey results are in!

The Skills Centre has been a cornerstone of workforce development and poverty reduction in Trail since 1997. For nearly three decades, we&#8217;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.

The Skills Centre to close after nearly 30 years

It’s been a transformative year at the Skills Centre. In July 2024, we moved into our newly renovated, fully accessible and environmentally sustainable building – our biggest milestone to date! This space was built for community, with room for other nonprofits, training programs, and shared services that make Trail stronger. 
In 2024/2025, we supported clients through skills training, food security programs, and employment services. Highlights include: 
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</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">Advancing poverty reduction with our partners and revising the Thriving for All plan with the City of Trail. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
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</ul>
With support from donors and local businesses, we raised over $22,000 during Coldest Night of the Year for poverty reduction programming. We also renewed our CARF accreditation – confirming that we continue to offer high quality programs and services.  
We’re proud to invest in Trail and the Kootenay region through programs that help build skills, careers and stronger communities. 
Check out our <a href="https://partners.blackbean.marketing/skillscentre/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/CIR-2025.pdf">full report here</a> and connect with us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheSkillsCentre/">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theskillscentre/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/theskillscentre">LinkedIn </a>and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@TrailSkillsCentre">YouTube</a>. 
Here’s to a resilient, inclusive, and prosperous future – together. 
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Celebrating Impact, Growth & Community: Our 2024/2025 Year in Review

Lettuce celebrate! We have an exciting new offering for the community… the community kitchen is now an Interior Health certified food premises. Food premises are places where food intended for the public is sold, offered for sale, supplied, handled, prepared, packaged, displayed, served, processed, stored, transported or dispensed.
Not only do we now have a place to offer great food security programs like <a href="https://skillscentre.ca/how-we-help/poverty-reduction">Roots to Table</a>, the kitchen is equipped to support a wide range of community needs.
What does that mean for you?
<ul>
<li>Host your own cooking classes? Check</li>
<li>Cater an event? Check (even better – cater an event held in one of the Skills Centre’s meeting rooms!)</li>
<li>Make items to be sold at the farmer’s market? Check</li>
<li>Preserve the produce from your garden or food rescue group? Check</li>
<li>… And whatever else you can think of!</li>
</ul>
It doesn’t matter if you are a nonprofit, individual, small business or other group – the community kitchen is available for all to use to support your food needs. The user fee is based on a sliding scale, while still being deliciously affordable of course!
You’ll find the community kitchen is generously stocked with:
<ul>
<li>Large appliances (fridge, freezer, oven, range, dishwasher, freeze dryer, and commercial dehydrator)</li>
<li>Small appliances (KitchenAid mixer, food processor, immersion blender, microwave, hand mixer, and more)</li>
<li>Cutlery and dinnerware for 20 people</li>
<li>Bakeware, utensils, tools and gadgets for all your food prep needs!</li>
</ul>
The creation of the community kitchen was generously supported by funders and donors including the Le Roi Community Foundation, Italo Canadese Society, Columbia Basin Trust, United Way BC, Benedict&#8217;s Steakhouse &amp; Tunnel Pub and many individual community members. We can’t thank them enough, and we are extremely excited to see all the ways the kitchen can support the community now and in the future.
The kitchen is ready, so don’t be chicken – come check it out!

Community consultation on warehouse use - survey results are in!

Recent Posts

The Skills Centre to close after nearly 30 years

Celebrating Impact, Growth & Community: Our 2024/2025 Year in Review

Get ready to get cookin' - the community kitchen is open for business!