INGERSOLL, ON - Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning held an official ceremony today to celebrate the grand opening of the new Skills Centre at the Ingersoll facility. Dave MacKenzie, Member of Parliament for Oxford; Paul Holbrough, Mayor of Ingersoll; and John Tibbits, President of Conestoga College, are pleased to see this important community project reach completion.
The new 12,000 sq. ft. Ingersoll Skills Centre will be home to three highly specialized and skilled trade programs at Conestoga College, including: Power Line Technician, Construction Techniques programs, and Fork Lift and Reach Lift Operator. These programs will serve to train 126 highly-skilled graduates per year, enhancing the labour pool in the region, and improving sustainability and growth to related industries. The college is currently working with the Town of Ingersoll to develop a business plan that identifies the future training and employment needs of the community.
The Government of Canada committed up to $3,305,400 to this project through the Community Adjustment Fund in southern Ontario. The Town of Ingersoll provided 4.2 acres of land at 420 Thomas Street for the development of the Ingersoll Campus.
“This new Skills Training Centre will offer new opportunities for students and residents, while helping local employers who need skilled workers,” said MP MacKenzie. “Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, this government is investing in local projects that provide immediate economic stimulus today and create sustainable jobs for tomorrow.”
“Ingersoll is very proud and excited about the partnerships and opportunities that will be realized with the opening of the Ingersoll Skills Centre at Conestoga,” said Mayor Holbrough. “The importance of bringing education, business, and government as partners is paramount to the success and growth of the Ingersoll community.”
“Conestoga is very pleased to work with the federal government and the Town of Ingersoll to create this new and much-needed Skills Centre. The centre will provide programming in a number of trades essential to our economic recovery and prosperity,” said John Tibbits. “These training opportunities will ensure a sound future for Ingersoll, Oxford County, southern Ontario and our many industry and business partners."
The Community Adjustment Fund, delivered by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), is providing funding for projects across southern Ontario to create immediate employment opportunities and stimulate local economies that have been struggling with the effects of the global economic downturn.
For more information, contact:
John Sawicki
Manager, Public Affairs
Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
T: (519) 748-5220 ext. 3336
E: jgillis@conestogac.on.ca or jsawicki@conestogac.on.ca
