Federal Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan visited the NBCC campus in Saint John on Thursday. Image by Tamara Steele.

NBCC Saint John hosted the Federal Labour Minister who spoke on how the Trudeau government’s Fall Economic Statement can help students.

It includes waiving interest on the federal portion of student loans.

Seamus O’Regan said alleviating stress for someone starting out as an apprentice in a skilled trade is a big help.

“And to say ‘we got this for ya. You don’t have to pay anything on the student loan until you are making 40 grand. After you make 40, we’re going to lower the interest rate from there on in. We’re gonna look after ya,” O’Regan said.

NBCC president Mary Butler said employers list the labour shortage as one of the major obstacles to growth.

Butler also noted a lot of mature students are coming back to college with the average student being 26 years old and the median age being 35 years old.

“You are not just talking about someone directly out of high school although we have lots of young people at NBCC and we have lots of people with family and other commitments. It’s not as easy to leave a full-time job and come and study full-time. We’re focused on flexible delivery to allow people to balance both work and school and these kinds of supports both federally and provincially to help break down financial barriers,” Butler said.

Thursday’s announcement was made in the automotive service technician shop at the NBCC Saint John campus.

I am here at NBCC Saint John for an announcement with Federal Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan. pic.twitter.com/C0DSGM336I

— Tamara Steele (@tamarasteele1) November 10, 2022