Ontario Construction News staff writer
St. Lawrence College has received $774,000 from the provincial government to help train people in Eastern Ontario for careers in the skilled trades, advanced manufacturing, and logistics sectors.
“We are thrilled by this announcement from the provincial government to enhance skilled trades training, advanced manufacturing, and logistics in our region,” said St. Lawrence College president and CEO, Glenn Vollebregt.
“The college plays a key role in educating, training and supporting career transition. This funding will allow us to pursue important initiatives that will reach an even wider pool of students which will in turn benefit our communities, and the local economy.”
$500,000 will provide technology-enabled experiential learning in the skilled trades including electrical, welding and carpentry, while participants will also learn skills to support healthy, independent living through a Personal Wellness Lab. The learning labs will increase access to in-demand training in remote locations.
In total, Ontario committed $774,000 through St. Lawrence College to train people in Eastern Ontario for jobs in the skilled trades, advanced manufacturing and logistics sectors, Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MPP Steve Clark announced.
Clark made the announcement at Northern Cables, one of the college’s partners helping shape program deliverables.
“This funding will help train people for new careers and we know that finding good-paying, stable jobs is life-changing for them and their families,” said Clark.
“As Ontario’s economy continues to recover from COVID-19, I’m proud we’re making these investments in the Brockville and Cornwall area to help people improve their skills and match them to the jobs that exist today. This funding is another critical part of our government’s efforts to support economic growth in Eastern Ontario.”
Clark said the local investments are part of a $37 million commitment from the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development to help more than 15,000 Ontarians upgrade their skills and train for new work. The projects target students, apprentices, job-seekers, mid-career workers, newcomers and Indigenous peoples.
Along with skilled trades training, the funding will also support advanced manufacturing and logistics programs with $274,000 will go toward funding 12 micro-credentials in high-demand fields including:
- inventory and fleet optimization
- supply chain software
- quality assurance and compliance
- 3-D printing
- cloud computing and cyber security
By providing short-duration skills training, this project will support the development of a talent pipeline to ensure continued prosperity and sustainability of businesses.
Clark also thanked the area workplaces such as Northern Cables that are partnering with St. Lawrence College to give program participants real world experience that will be invaluable to their future success.