McGuinty Government Supports Training And Apprenticeship In
Kitchener-Waterloo
Conestoga College will be training more apprentices and upgrading the skills of youth looking
for work to meet the local demand for workers in the Kitchener-Waterloo area.
Through the Apprenticeship Enhancement Fund, the college will modernize facilities and purchase state-of-the-art equipment to train more apprentices in the industrial, construction and motive power trades.
Ontario is also helping provide greater access to skills training and job opportunities for 40 students to study cook-culinary management at the Waterloo campus through the Co-op Diploma Apprenticeship Program. This program lets participants complete a college program and begin training as an apprentice at the same time.
In addition, the government is helping 48 unemployed youth strengthen their trade-related skills to prepare them for successful apprenticeships in the truck-trailer and brick and stone mason trades. Pre-apprenticeship training helps prospective apprentices develop trade-specific knowledge, job readiness skills and employment experience.
The funding is part of the $2-billion Skills to Jobs Action Plan that gives Ontarians a competitive edge by training for tomorrow's high-skilled jobs.
Quotes
"We’re pleased to invest in a wide range of skills training at Conestoga College. Training and equipment must stay current to build the skilled workforce we need to strengthen Ontario’s economy," said Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities John Milloy."This is wonderful news for Conestoga College and the local industries that need more skilled workers. Expanding apprenticeships will help more people train for tomorrow’s high-skilled jobs," said Leeanna Pendergast, MPP for Kitchener-Conestoga.
""Conestoga is one of Ontario's largest, most dynamic centres for apprenticeship education. The funds being provided under the apprenticeship enhancement program raise the training quality standards for students and their employers, and provide further proof that apprenticeship is an indispensable third pillar of higher education in the province," said John Tibbits, president of Conestoga College.
Quick Facts
- Ontario is providing more than $3.6 million for these latest program developments at Conestoga College, including: $1.7 million to modernize facilities and equipment, $1.1 million for the co-op diploma program in cook-culinary management and $470,000 to help 48 youth looking for work prepare for apprenticeships
- Conestoga College is training over 4,700 apprentices in 21 trades this year.
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