Conestoga news

January 10, 2008 2:38 PM

New Gas Tech Training Center in Waterloo

...IGNITING NEW CAREERS!

We are pleased to announce the opening of Conestoga College’s new Gas Technician Training Center at our Waterloo Campus.  The new gas facility replaces the former facility at the Doon Campus, and continues Conestoga’s commitment to the local Gas Industry.


The new facility offers a well equipped shop with gas fired furnaces, hot water heaters, ranges, barbeques and other gas appliances with associated electrical, metering, valving and tooling, with some installations in mock rooms which replicate real world working environments for the students.  The Technical Standards and Safety Authority regulates the certification of persons working on gas appliances, and Conestoga offers TSSA approved G3 and G2 certification programs in a daytime format to allow fast-tracking to a new career or evening class format, allowing those otherwise employed to pursue a new career path.


The effort to establish, license, furnish and install the new facility was greatly supported by the community, and we would very much like to thank many of those who donated time, money and/or equipment towards this effort.  Some notable contributors include:

  • City of Kitchener
  • Reliance Home Comfort, Cambridge
  • Lennox Industries, Waterloo
  • GSW Water Heater Company
  • Canadian Copper Institute
  • Carrier Corporation, Kitchener
  • Union Gas, Chatham
  • Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute (HRAI), Waterloo
  • AO Smith, Stratford
  • Haywood Mechanical, Waterloo
  • Electrolux Appliances, Mississauga
  • Mr. Bill Cronin
  • Mr. Ed Fitzgerald

All instructors are TSSA approved and have extensive practical experience in the gas industry.  Barry Nash and Dave Oswald teach evening courses and have over 30 years in the business.  Buddy Pembleton has over 15 years experience in the industry and teaches the full-time courses during the day.  All are exceptional teachers whose practical expertise is greatly appreciated by their students.

We would also like to introduce the new Corporate Training Manager for the School of Engineering and Information Technology, Mike Diamond.  Mike comes directly from ABB, with many years in automation processes and power generation, including design, commissioning and servicing of combustion control systems for industrial boilers.  Mike is responsible for the new Gas Technician Training Center and can arrange this training or custom courses for your business.  For more information on this training or to arrange a meeting, please contact Mike Diamond at 519-748-5220 extension 3370 or Tannis Gayler at extension 3371.