Young people in the Punnichy area have a new training centre close to home where they can learn new skills.

“It’s way more convenient for us in Punnichy. We don’t have to make the run into Regina every day,” said 25-year-old Jecoby Wolfe of Muskowekan First Nation, who is taking an electrician applied certificate through Saskatchewan Polytechnic there.

The Four Winds Learning Centre is a former church that Carlton Trail College bought from the Village of Punnichy in 2015. The provincial and federal governments kicked in a combined $235,000 to renovate the building, which now has two classrooms and a training space in the basement. A grand opening and naming ceremony was held Friday.

The centre is also an opportunity to celebrate indigenous culture, said Deanna Gaetz, enterprise division manager with the college.

“Because the majority of our students are from those First Nations communities, we wanted to ensure that they felt safe and welcome and comfortable in the environment and it was a great opportunity to showcase the indigenous culture through art.”

Wolfe’s classmate, 23-year-old Joshua Dustyhorn of Kawacatoose First Nation, also praised the centre. Both have high hopes for a career as electricians.

“There are so many rural areas and reserves that can benefit from this school and it makes it a lot easier for people who don’t have a car, but have someone who is willing to drive them 15 to 20 minutes to better themselves,” Dustyhorn said.

“It’s better than trying to struggle in Saskatoon or Regina where living expenses are higher and I just find that this school is very beneficial to the area.”