VANCOUVER, B.C. — A Web site designed for Canadian youth to highlight the variety of high paying careers in demand in today’s transportation industry has recently been turned bilingual.

The Western Transportation Advisory Council (WESTAC) with funding assistance from Transport Canada has developed and launched TranspoVille.ca.

The original TranspoCity.ca Web site was launched in May 2005. According to February 2006 statistics from Transport Canada, the site receives approximately 75,000 hits per month. Building on the English-only site released last year, TranspoVille.ca features more than 40 transportation careers and 20 videos of employees in action.

“All the same bells and whistles that made the English version so successful are also available on the French site,” says Ruth Sol, WESTAC president. “Transpoville.ca allows this to be a truly national initiative. It also highlights a broad array of opportunities in transportation that require different levels of education and training.”

Students and teachers can appreciate the look of the Web site, its user-friendly navigation, and most importantly, its extensive information on the diverse types of jobs in transportation, including: pay scales, education and training requirements, links to educational and training programs, career paths, and a look at real people working at real jobs.

The Web sites are a collaboration of all sectors in transportation and are offered to help young people find rewarding careers in the dynamic, modern, and growing transportation industry.

Transport Canada has provided a total of $120,000 to WESTAC for the development, translation, implementation and enhancement of the TranspoCity/TranspoVille Web site.

“Canada’s transportation system will not continue to thrive if it does not attract our youth,” said Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. “This funding demonstrates the new Government of Canada’s commitment to advancing and promoting transportation-related skills – with particular emphasis on youth who are in the process of making education and career decisions.”