2014 Orazietti crop

Supplied by Sault MPP David Orazietti… Sault Ste. Marie – Ontario is supporting growth in high-demand skilled trade jobs in Sault Ste. Marie by investing $2.3 million in state-of-the-art equipment and facility improvements at Sault College, announced David Orazietti MPP today.

“Today’s announcement of the investment through the Ontario Apprenticeship Enhancement Fund builds on the significant progress made at Sault College in recent years,” said Orazietti. “The new equipment and improved infrastructure will continue to strengthen key programs, and will give apprentices the hands-on experience they need to excel in the trades, and to contribute to our economy.”

The $2,387,823 investment is part of Ontario’s Apprenticeship Enhancement Fund.

Project funding is being provided as follows:

” $1,495,584      Redesign, renovation and expansion of Motive Power labs ” $352,590         Purchase of equipment and tools for the Motor Power Division ” $241,000         New equipment and workstations to accommodate more apprentices in                        construction maintenance and industrial electrician apprentices ” $229,476        Pre-apprenticeship training program for 20 aboriginal youth in Sault Ste. Marie As announced in the 2015 Budget, the province is investing $23 million over two years for 47 new capital projects at colleges and other training organizations for new equipment, new facilities and new technologies such as, welding simulators, to provide opportunities for hands-on training.

New annual apprenticeship registrations in programs across Ontario have grown from 17,100 in 2002-03 to more than 26,500 in 2014-15. This investment will help support the almost one in five new jobs in the province that is expected to be created in the trades in the coming decade.

“The investment made today by the Ontario government into our automotive, truck/coach and heavy equipment labs is greatly appreciated.   We have been training apprentices in these fields for decades and this investment will enable us to continue with that tradition.  The project will increase apprentice seat utilization rates by attracting more apprentices from the region wanting to train with state of the art equipment in modern labs designed and organized to emulate cutting-edge workplaces in the Motive Power trades. Larger classroom space and efficiencies in the design of the labs, new equipment and a new roof will allow us to increase our capacity to train Motive Power apprentices and will provide an excellent space for future students to learn. This investment will provide access to high quality apprenticeship training for apprentices in the north, including rural and aboriginal apprentices. I am very pleased for our students and staff and we all look forward to the successful completion of this project,” said Colin Kirkwood, Vice-President Academics and Research.

Improving training opportunities, equipment and facilities for apprentices in Sault Ste. Marie is part of the government’s plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan also includes investing in people’s talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in the province’s history and creating a dynamic, supportive environment where business thrives.