Ontario government investing in skilled trades

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty announced $21 million in new funding for Waterloo region’s Conestoga College and $9.2-million at Hamilton’s Mohawk College. The new monies are part of the government’s efforts to increase college enrolments as part of the province’s $1.5 billion Skills to Jobs Action Plan.

The funds given to Conestoga will support the building of a new state-of-the-art campus in Cambridge across Highway 401 from the present Conestoga campus in Kitchener. The new campus will house about 3,000 new students in a 200,000 square feet facility offering programs in welding, robotics, civil engineering and renewal energy. Construction for the campus will begin in 2010.

“We’re investing in the skills and knowledge of our people so they can work in high-paying, skilled jobs that will strengthen our economy and improve everyone’s quality of life,” said Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities John Milloy. Milloy’s riding is located in Waterloo region.

Mohawk College is receiving support for its new Gerald Marshall Transportation Centre which will be located at the College’s Stoney Creek campus. The centre will house equipment, labs and a maintenance facility capable of holding up to three full-sized tractor trailers. The facility will train students for positions as auto mechanics, truck and coach technicians and servicers.“The skilled trades are the place to be. We have the jobs, but we need the people to fill them. Now, Mohawk College will be able to train more students to go onto fulfilling careers,” said Premier Dalton McGuinty.

These announcements follow earlier ones made at Georgian, Hearst and Northern College.