OSHAWA, April 11 -- The Hon. Jim Flaherty, Ontario's Minister of Enterprise, Opportunity and Innovation (EOI) today announced a grant of $2.5 million to Conestoga College for establishment of a Manufacturing and Automation Training Centre to be based at the Doon campus in Kitchener.
The purpose of the project is to meet the immediate and future needs of area manufacturers in Canada's Technology Triangle for highly skilled personnel in the advanced manufacturing sector. Canada's Technology Triangle encompasses the cities of Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and Guelph. The area is the centre of a dynamic, growing economy and home to a large number of innovative companies.
The grant is being made through the Strategic Skills Investment Fund, an Ontario government initiative that supports innovative partnerships to help develop critical skills necessary for business competitiveness in a rapidly changing world. Total cost of the project will be $11.2 million, with the balance provided by financial and in-kind contributions by project partners and the College.
Minister Flaherty, in making the first SSI announcements for 2003 at an event in Oshawa, said, "A skilled labour force plays a significant role in improving Ontario's economic climate. The benefits of investing in training are endless. Our businesses remain at the forefront of their respective industries, while Ontario continues to be one of the most prosperous jurisdictions in North America."
Conestoga President John Tibbits comments, "Conestoga College has established its reputation through the quality of our programs and graduates, their value to local business and industry, and the College's demonstrated role as a strong and innovative contributor to the economic growth and diversity of this region."
He adds, "The award of this project grant through the Strategic Skills Investment Fund is an endorsement of the efforts of the College and our regional business partners to find effective ways of meeting the needs of local industries, many of which have a global presence and reputation. We are very appreciative of the opportunity provided through this provincial initiative, and the College is proud of the strong partnerships we have developed in our region."
Among the partners in the Manufacturing and Automation Training Centre project are ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc., Budd Canada, CAMI Automotive, Electralogics, Kuntz Electroplating, Rockwell Automation, SMC Pneumatics Inc., Xerox and the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.
The project was developed in response to the 1999 Skills Dialogue, a detailed study of the economy of Canada's Technology Triangle. The study revealed a significant need for a wide range of advanced manufacturing strategic skills to sustain the quality and competitiveness of local industry.
The funding will be used to develop curriculum, expand facilities, and obtain manufacturing and computer equipment necessary to implement and/or enhance academic programs. These programs include a four-year degree in integrated advanced manufacturing technologies, a new apprenticeship in machine tool builder integrator, and three-year mechanical engineering technology programs in several areas -- robotics and automation, advanced manufacturing, and robotics and welding. These programs will be centred at the ATS Engineering Complex at the Doon campus in Kitchener, except for robotics and welding, which will be at the Guelph campus.
The expectation is that this project will increase the supply of highly skilled workers for local industries by 330 persons over the next five years, with an anticipated additional 150 new graduates each year thereafter.
The Manufacturing and Automation Training Centre for
Canada's Technology Triangle will begin full operation in the fall of
2005.
CONTACT: Eric Dahlin, 519-748-5220, ext. 3648, edahlin@conestogac.on.ca
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Manufacturing and Automation Training Centre
for Canada's Technology Triangle
BACKGROUNDER
The existing ATS Engineering Complex at the Doon campus in Kitchener will
be expanded by 20,000 sq.ft. and renovated to create the Manufacturing
and Automation Training Centre. Additional resources will be directed
towards the Guelph campus.
The project will increase the supply of highly skilled, versatile workers for local industries by 330 persons over the next five years, with 150 new graduates each year thereafter. The $2.5 million from the Strategic Skills Investment Fund will be used to support project expansion and systems infrastructure costs. The total value of the project is estimated at $11.2 million.
Expansion and renovation work will begin in the late summer of 2003, with full operation of the facility scheduled to start in the fall of 2005.
The Centre will accommodate the training activities of two new and three existing academic programs. A Guelph-based program will also benefit through additional resources.
Machine Tool Builder Integrator
This new, three-year trades and apprenticeship program was developed with
the active participation of local manufacturers. Graduates of this program
build, assemble and integrate parts, component and automated systems used
in all sectors of manufacturing, including product assembly, processing,
fabrication and packaging.
Integrated Advanced Manufacturing Technologies
This four-year, degree program provides students with a strong foundation
in basic engineering, business skills and exposure to liberal arts disciplines
with practical application for business leaders. Graduates will go on
to careers in areas such as product development engineering/management,
manufacturing systems integration, engineering systems design, control
systems and simulation, 3D graphic software development and applications,
and quality assurance systems.
Mechanical Engineering Technology - Automated Manufacturing
Mechanical Engineering Technology - Robotics and Automation
These three-year, diploma programs have operated successfully for a number
of years. Both programs focus on the manufacturing sector. Graduates of
Automated Manufacturing pursue careers in areas such as numerical control
manufacturing systems, production planning and control, quality control,
tool design, plant layout and manufacturing integration. The Robotics
and Automation program features three intensive co-op work terms. Graduates
go into mechanical design, research and development, technical sales,
computer-aided design operations and other related career areas.
Manufacturing Engineering Technology - Welding and Robotics
(Guelph campus)
This three-year, diploma program emphasizes advanced elements in the welding
aspects of manufacturing: welding manufacturing systems design and operation,
computerized design and manufacturing processes, robotic programming and
robotic simulation programming. Graduates progress to employment in all
types of manufacturing production environments (custom, batch, high-volume)
in the metal fabrication/welding industrial sector. Career areas include
manufacturing management, robotic programming, production planning, quality
assurance, and automated systems integration.