Ontario invests $4.5 million to help skilled trades in Hamilton and Brantford
Ontario is investing more than $4.5 million to help the next generation of skilled tradespeople in the Hamilton and Brantford Regions access the training, equipment and facilities they need to prepare for the workforce.
The Hon. Ted McMeekin, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and MPP for Ancaster Dundas Flamborough Westdale, made the announcement this morning in the Sustainable Resource Centre at Mohawk's Stoney Creek campus. Ted was joined by Mohawk College President Ron McKerlie and about 40 apprenticeship students.
Mohawk College will receive the funding through the Apprenticeship Enhancement Fund and Pre-Apprenticeship Training programs for new simulation technology for plumbing apprentices and to help introduce unemployed and underemployed youth, women and aboriginal peoples to the refrigeration and air conditioning, automotive, plumbing and steamfitting trades.
"Our industry partners are counting on Mohawk to train the next generation of skilled tradespeople. Thanks to the continued support of the Government of Ontario, our faculty and staff deliver hands-on training to more than 4,000 apprentices every year. Apprentices at Mohawk learn from the best, train on the newest equipment and use the latest technology in labs that are among the best of any college in the country."
"I’m thrilled that our government is making this major investment to ensure that our apprentices receive the highest standard of training. The improved equipment and training programs will give apprentices the hands-on experience they need to thrive in the skilled trades, and contribute to the local economy.”
As announced in the 2015 Budget, the province is investing $23 million over two years through the Apprenticeship Enhancement Fund for 47 new capital projects at colleges and other training organizations for new equipment, new facilities and new technologies such as welding simulators, to provide opportunities for hands-on training. Another $13 million is being invested through the Pre-Apprenticeship Training program to help support 84 pre-apprenticeship training programs, which will help more than 1,500 people primarily from traditionally underrepresented groups including women, Indigenous peoples and at-risk youth, consider careers in the trades by developing their skills through in-class training sessions and work placements.
Mohawk College educates and serves more than 29,500 full-time, part-time, apprenticeship and international students at three main campuses in Hamilton, Ontario and learning hubs across Hamilton through City School by Mohawk, and at the College’s Centre for Aviation Technology at the Hamilton International Airport. Mohawk is among the top five colleges for applied research in Canada. It has been named one of Canada’s greenest employers seven years in a row, holds a GOLD STARS rating from AASHE for sustainability achievements and is home to the country’s largest and first institutional building to receive dual certification for Zero Carbon Building Framework design and performance for The Joyce Centre for Partnership & Innovation. More than 135,000 people have graduated from Mohawk since it was founded.