June 27, 2008

Skills Training

Funding boost for Algonquin College’s skilled trades training centre earns praise

VINCE VERSACE

staff writer

Ontario’s $35 million funding boost for Algonquin College’s new skilled trades training centre is the type of commitment needed to tackle future industry labour shortages, says the Canadian Construction Association (CCA).

“We think the province has stepped up and delivered for Algonquin,” said Jeff Morrison, director of government relations and public affairs at CCA.

Premier Dalton McGuinty recently announced that the province will provide $35 million to help the college proceed with the first phase of its expansion, a $69 million construction trades complex. The funding is part of Ontario’s three-year $1.5 billion Skills to Jobs Action Plan.

“Investing in skills training for our workers is the right thing to do for our families and for a stronger Ontario economy,” said McGuinty.

The state-of-the-art Centre for Construction Trades and Building Sciences will allow students to learn the latest techniques in architecture, engineering and skilled trades.

The 142,000-square-foot centre will expand the college’s training capacity by 600 spots. Construction of the centre is expected to create nearly 700 jobs and would be completed before classes start in 2011. The centre will be targeted to be a platinum or gold LEED certified building.

The second phase of the centre is dedicated to health care training. The entire new expansion carries an estimated $136 million price tag.

Despite provincial and Algonquin funding for the first phase of the expansion, there is a financial shortfall which needs to be met, added Morrison.

“We believe the province has done their part but now is the time for the federal government to step up,” said Morrison.

This past May, the CCA organized an event at Algonquin College’s which issued a collective call for support for the expansion project.

At the event were representatives from the college, the Ottawa Construction Association and the CCA. Ottawa West-Nepean MP John Baird also attended and said he looked forward to working with the province to ensure the expansion project became a reality.

Morrison recalled these comments and hopes the federal government does “step up to the plate” and provide funding.

Ontario plans to invest $970 million over the next three years to build and improve places where students learn, including new construction and renovation projects and the purchase of new equipment.

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