Date: November 2, 2009
Humber opens new Centre for Trades & Technology
Hosts Launch of Skilled Trades and Technology Week
Toronto, Ontario – November 2, 2009 – Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning cut the ribbon on its new Centre for Trades & Technology as part of the launch of Skilled Trades and Technology Week 2009, an event hosted annually by Skills Canada that promotes and raises awareness of skilled trade and technology careers in Canada. Humber has invested more than $16 million in the centre, including a $7 million contribution from the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.
The 95,000 square foot facility offers the more than 2,000 students in skilled trade diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs with the opportunity to train in state-of-the-art, industry-simulated settings. The centre includes two full-sized townhomes and dedicated labs for programs including construction, home renovation, plumbing, welding, electrical, woodworking and cabinetmaking, building systems and more.
"The Centre for Trades & Technology addresses the demand for skilled trade workers in Ontario, and is one example of how Humber continues to provide students with quality educational experiences across our program spectrum from degrees to apprenticeships," says John Davies, president, Humber College. "Enrollment in Humber's apprenticeship programs increased 10.5 per cent this year and because of this we have expanded and improved our training facilities to meet the needs of our students."
Development of the centre began in January 2009 and took eight months to complete. The first student intake was in May 2009. Programs offered at the new facility include Home Renovation Technician, Industrial Woodworking and Cabinet Making, Electrician Apprenticeship, Plumber Apprenticeship, and Construction Boilermaker Apprenticeship.
"Strengthening our apprenticeship system is essential to building the skilled workforce Ontario needs to compete in today's economy," said John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. "Ontario's investment in the Humber Centre for Trades & Technology is part of our $190 million Strategic Skills Training Capital Investment program and will ensure students can train with the best equipment available and be ready to compete in the new green economy."
Projections by the Conference Board of Canada indicate there may be a shortfall of more than 360,000 skilled workers in Ontario by 2025.
"Humber will help address the critical shortage of skilled trade workers," says Denise Devlin-Li, dean, Humber College's School of Applied Technology. "Our apprenticeship and skilled trade programs meet industry mandated standards, which means students are learning relevant theory while getting the opportunity to enhance their workplace skills."
About Humber
Humber, a member of Polytechnics Canada, is committed to student success through excellence in teaching and learning. Humber's broad range of career-focused, educational programs include: apprenticeship, certificates, diplomas, bachelor's degrees and postgraduate certificates. With more than 350 full- and part-time programs from which to choose, the 21,000 full-time and 55,000 part-time students of Humber have access to many opportunities for continuous learning. Building from one credential to another, either at Humber or through transfer credit opportunities with more than 50 Canadian and international universities, students have multiple pathways to success. Humber maintains strong partnerships with industry, and trains more than 15,000 people annually through customized corporate training. Visit www.humber.ca.
About Skills/Compétences Canada
Skills/Compétences Canada was founded in 1989 as a national, not-for-profit organization that works with employers, educators, labour groups and governments to promote skilled trades and technology careers among Canadian youth. Its unique position among private and public sector partners enables it to work toward securing Canada’s future skilled labour needs while helping young people discover rewarding careers. Skills/Compétences Canada offers experiential learning opportunities including skilled trades and technology competitions for hundreds of thousands of young Canadians through regional, provincial/territorial, national and international events, as well as skilled trades awareness programs. Headquartered in Gatineau, Quebec, Skills/Compétences Canada is the Canadian Member organization of WorldSkills International. For more information visit www.skillscanada.com or call 877.754.5226.
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Contact:
Andrew Leopold
Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
o: 416.675.6622 ext. 4296
c: 416.518.8989
andrew.leopold@humber.ca
Ilena Aldini-Messina
Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
o: 416.675.6622 ext. 5479
ilena.aldinimessina@humber,ca