Joining the announcement was Graham Browne, Vice President of Human Resources and General Administration for AcelorMittal Dofasco. ArcelorMittal Dofasco, which has invested $1 million in the transformation of Mohawk's skilled trades campus, is one of the largest apprenticeship trainers in Canada while Mohawk is the largest apprenticeship trainer among Ontario's 24 community colleges.

Mohawk President Rob MacIsaac thanked the Ontario government and said investing in the college's facilities pays immediate dividends. "Apprentices get to develop their skills using the newest equipment and the latest technology. They learn in state-of-the-art labs and classrooms. The quality of our facilities is fast approaching the outstanding calibre of our faculty, instructors and staff. That combination gives our apprentices a great education. And it gives employers a highly skilled and future ready workforce."

Piero Cherubini, Dean of Skilled Trades and Apprenticeships, hosted the announcement and said the biggest and best apprenticeship trainer among Ontario's colleges just got better thanks to the Ontario government's funding for new equipment, technology and facilities. Mohawk's newest apprentices are set to arrive at the college Aug. 29. "The timing of today's announcement couldn't have been any better," said Piero.

Mohawk College graduate Rick Phillips lost his job in March 2009, ending a 13-year career in the steel industry. A casualty of the recession, Rick joined thousands of other people that suddenly found without a job during the worst economic downturn in decades. Two years later, the economy is slowly recovering and Rick has a new career working as installer for The Green Method, a local company that specializes in green energy products such as geothermal heating and cooling units, solar panels and solar hot air units. Want to know more? Read the article in Mohawk Magazine.