More than 100 industry and association representatives, Conestoga College officials and faculty, and currently enrolled apprentices gathered at the Guelph campus of Conestoga on Tuesday, November 14 to mark the official opening of the new Truck and Coach Technician Centre.
Conestoga President John Tibbits
The centre is a major part of an expanded motive power trades area at the campus and involved construction of 3,200 sq. ft. of new shop space. Motive power education, which now includes two apprenticeship programs - Automotive Service Technician, and Truck and Coach Technician, is a specialty of the campus. The impetus provided by the new facility promises future opportunities for more diversified and specialized programming, geared to the needs of a growing region that features a large number of automotive and trucking enterprises.
A number of trucking industry donors and supporters have been advocates for establishment of the Truck and Coach Technician Centre, and have provided equipment, supplies and materials to help the program to a successful start, as the first group of apprentices began their training this September.
Dan Einwechter, Challenger Motor Freight Inc.
Featured speakers at the November 14 event were: Dan Einwechter, Chairman and CEO of Challenger Motor Freight Inc., who spoke on behalf of the industry donors; Conestoga President John Tibbits, who outlined the importance of the new facility and how this development fits in with the College’s long-term plans; Conestoga Chair of Trades and Apprenticeship Stephen Speers, who recognized and thanked each donor organization; and student Darrin Lockwood, who expressed appreciation on behalf of the Truck and Coach Technician program apprentices.
The campus in Guelph also houses programs in standard, advanced and robotic
welding, conventional and computerized metal machining, industrial mechanics,
millwright education, and preparatory studies, such as employment readiness,
academic skills upgrading, and career research and planning. In addition,
the campus annually registers more than 4,000 participants in part-time
adult, continuing education courses and programs.
Conestoga plans to move forward with establishing centres of excellence at its campuses. Goals for the Guelph location include continued expansion of motive power trades activity and enrolment, institution of a number of innovative programs that combine technical diploma studies with apprenticeship training and co-op experience in industry, and growth in part-time continuing education activities.
CONTACT: Stephen Speers, 519-824-9390, ext. 151, sspeers@conestogac.on.ca