News Releases

Learners in NBCC’s Mechanized Forest Equipment Operator program will build their skills using a new, modern track harvester thanks to a gift from A.L.P.A. Equipment Ltd., a forestry equipment firm headquartered in Balmoral, N.B.

The company donated the track harvester — designed and built right here in New Brunswick — in support of NBCC’s Going Beyond campaign.

“Our students are getting hands-on learning using the very equipment they’ll use in the field,” said Mary Butler, President and CEO of NBCC. “We’re grateful for A.L.P.A.’s gift, which supports NBCC’s commitment to education that works, helping our learners transition from students to skilled workers in an in-demand sector.”

A.L.P.A. Equipment Ltd. provided $250,000 in in-kind support for the track harvester, a new Landrich 2.0 model. The Government of New Brunswick supported the acquisition through a contract with A.L.P.A. Equipment Ltd. under the New Brunswick First Procurement Strategy and Action Plan.

A.L.P.A. has supported NBCC since the early 2000s, investing time and funds to help train future operators.

“We strongly believe that this course is very important to our forestry industry,” said A.L.P.A. Equipment Ltd. vice-president and general manager Serge Landry. “We believe that students should have the latest and the greatest equipment and technology in order to learn their trade. This equipment will enable new operators to learn on the most up-to-date equipment that is available in our industry.”

A.L.P.A. Equipment Ltd. is among the industry partners who have come together to support NBCC’s Going Beyond campaign. The $16-million campaign charts a course for NBCC to:

• accelerate skills development by creating fast, flexible training opportunities such as microcredentials and shorter pathways to certification;  
• innovate educational delivery by creating modern, connected spaces, and introducing new technology such as accessible HyFlex classrooms, surface hubs, and simulation labs; and
• reach unprecedented numbers of New Brunswickers by reducing financial barriers to post-secondary education through targeted bursaries for under-represented groups such as Indigenous students, women in trades, and people of colour.
  
  

About NBCC: As one of New Brunswick’s largest postsecondary education institutions, NBCC drives social and economic wellbeing across the province. NBCC welcomes 11,000 learners each year through quality-assured, relevant training opportunities. Supported by the Going Beyond campaign, NBCC is committed to accelerating skills development, innovating educational delivery, and reaching unprecedented numbers of New Brunswickers. Find out more at: www.nbcc.ca.

About A.L.P.A. Equipment Ltd.: A.L.P.A. Equipment Ltd. is a family-owned company, with three generations currently engaged in the organization. Since opening in 1976, A.L.P.A. has grown to five locations to serve Atlantic Canada and Eastern Quebec, located in Balmoral, Fredericton and Edmundston, N.B., Truro, N.S., as well as a new branch location in Moncton, N.B. Each location offers full service for the industry’s forestry and construction equipment needs. A.L.P.A.’s engineering and fabrication department produces the Landrich Track Harvester and other custom fabrication projects. With the success of Landrich, A.L.P.A has expanded its fabrication and assembly division to a 63,000 square foot production facility in Eel River Crossing, N.B.

Media Contact:

Tanya Greer, Lead, Strategic Communications
Tel: (506) 440-9105
tanya.greer@nbcc.ca