You won’t have to travel as far for an appreticeship exam.

Skills Ontario is opening a testing center in Kenora.

Minister of Skilled Trades and Labour David Piccini says through Seven Generations Education Institute, appretices will be able to write their certification exam in Kenora instead of travelling to Thunder Bay.

“We hear people leaving for the in-class portion of training or for writing exams and it’s a lot when they are driving 10, 15 hours plus to do that,” Piccini said during a stop in Kenora on Tuesday.

Piccini adds they plan offer more training closer to home.

“We’re just getting started. I mean, we want to have tentacles in every community. We met with the Skilled Trades Ontario team. We now have a staff member here to support apprentices right here in Kenora. It’s going to be great for Dryden and it’s going to be great for the surrounding region.”

Skills Ontario says apprentices will not only be able to save hundreds of dollars but also hours of travel time.

The agency also says it will mean the path to certification is shorter and faster.