Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning welcomes today’s federal government announcement of an extension for the completion of projects funded under the Knowledge Infrastructure Program (KIP). A component of Canada’s Economic Action Plan launched in 2009, KIP was developed in partnership with the provinces to renew the capital of the country’s post-secondary education system, providing upgraded facilities to meet the needs of students in education and training programs.
Projects funded through the program must now be completed by October 31, 2011, revised from the original deadline date of March 31, 2011.
“We are tremendously pleased that the federal government has made such a significant investment in building our facilities and programs,” said John Tibbits, president of Conestoga. “The extended deadline creates an additional window that will help ensure projects currently underway can be completed in a cost-effective manner as we finalize facility upgrades that will result in many more opportunities for students, stimulate our economy and provide highly qualified personnel for business and industry.”
KIP funding has been instrumental in the development of several building projects currently underway at Conestoga:
- A new Cambridge campus scheduled to open for the Fall 2011 semester will be home to the School of Engineering and Information Technology, as well as the Institute for Food Processing Technology. The facility will incorporate some of the most advanced technologies, processes, and health and safety standards from top processing plants around the world.
- A new 70,000 square foot facility at the Doon campus will open in August 2011 to provide Conestoga students with the most realistic and advanced applied learning environment for health skills training in Ontario, using the latest technology and interdisciplinary teaching methodologies.
- Two new centres at Conestoga’s Waterloo campus - the Roofing Training Centre and the Heating, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning (HRAC) Training Centre - will provide advanced skills training featuring Ontario’s most innovative internal and external training environment.
- A Motive Power Skills Training Centre in Guelph will provide advanced training for technicians in the areas of truck and coach, automobiles, engines, recreational vehicles and heavy equipment.
Federal government support through the Community Adjustment Fund, another component of the Economic Action Plan, has also provided funding for a new Power Centre in Ingersoll that provides training for workers in the electrical utilities powerline field, as well as energy and skilled trades programs that complement the industry.
“These new facilities will be instrumental in better preparing our students for the workplace, providing more career-based learning, and meeting the needs of a high-skills economy,” Tibbits continued.
Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning is one of Canada’s premier polytechnic institutes. Recognized as leaders in applied education and research, we provide a comprehensive range of programs that prepare our graduates for success in business, industry and the community. For more information, visit us at www.conestogac.on.ca
For media questions, contact Brenda Cassidy, Corporate Communications Manager, 519-748-5220 ext 3336 or bcassidy@conestogac.on.ca