Georgian College Set To Expand

    McGuinty Government Helps More Students Train For Green Energy Jobs

    TORONTO, July 28 /CNW/ -

    NEWS

    Ontario is helping Georgian College train more students for jobs in the
high-demand field of renewable energy technologies.
    Georgian College (http://www.georgianc.on.ca/) will build a new
Sustainable Technologies Skills Centre with the help of a $4.65 million
investment from Ontario. Georgian is also building partnerships with the
energy and construction sectors. The Centre will offer training in
construction, architectural and electrical skills related to high-priority
renewable energy technologies.
    Construction is expected to be completed in Fall 2009, adding 16,197
square feet of learning space. This will help Georgian College triple its
enrolment in these high-demand programs by adding nearly 700 new students. The
building itself will use several forms of alternative energy for power and
heating.

    QUOTES

    "We're investing in the skills and knowledge of our people so they can
work in high-paying, skilled jobs that will strengthen our economy and improve
everyone's quality of life," said Minister of Training, Colleges and
Universities John Milloy
(http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/biography/tcu_minister.html).
    "This investment is great news for our community. It will create jobs in
the short term and in the long term, ensure that students develop the skills
they need to succeed in their future careers," said Aileen Carroll, MPP for
Barrie.
    "This funding announcement through the province's Skills to Jobs Action
Plan comes at a critical time for Georgian College as it addresses two
significant challenges," said Georgian College President Brian Tamblyn.
"First, investment in the Georgian College Centre for Sustainable Technologies
will allow the College to address serious capacity issues at a time when our
classrooms and labs are stretched to the limit. Secondly, this significant
provincial contribution will greatly strengthen our ability to provide timely
education and skills training urgently needed by our many industry partners."

    
    QUICK FACTS

    -   This funding is part of the government's three-year, $1.5-billion
        Skills to Jobs Action Plan (http://ontariobudget.ca/english/bk8.html)

    -   Since 2002-03, Georgian has received more than $18 million from
        Ontario to update equipment and maintain, improve and build new
        facilities.

    -   In 2004, Ontario targeted
(http://www.energy.gov.on.ca/index.cfm?fuseaction=renewable.targets) obtaining
an additional 10 per cent
        (2,700 megawatts) of our overall electricity generating capacity from
        renewable resources by 2010.

    -   Georgian College (http://www.georgianc.on.ca/secondcareer/) offers
        programs as part of Ontario's Second Career Strategy.

    LEARN MORE

    Learn how you can become an apprentice
(http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/tcu/apprentices/) in Ontario.
    Read about Ontario's new Second Career
(http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/tcu/secondCareer/index.html) program.
    Find out more about Ontario's colleges
(http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/postsec/college.html) and universities
(http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/postsec/univers.html).

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               INVESTING IN PEOPLE, STRENGTHENING THE ECONOMY
    

    The Ontario government is investing in the skills and knowledge of
Ontarians and helping to train today's workers for tomorrow's jobs through its
$1.5-billion Skills to Jobs Action Plan.
    As part of this plan, over three years, the government will invest $970
million to build and improve places where students learn. The funding will
support new construction and renovation projects, as well as the purchase of
new equipment. These projects will create construction jobs in the short-term
and help students develop the skills they need to work in high-demand skilled
trades in the future.
    Georgian College will receive $4.65 million to expand the Sustainable
Technologies Skills Program at its Barrie campus through the construction of a
new building. The new facilities will allow Georgian to offer new electrical,
construction and architectural programs. This project will allow the college
to welcome nearly 700 more students by 2013-14.
    The estimated total cost of this project is $6.7 million. This entire
investment is expected to create more than 60 jobs.

    INVESTING IN STUDENTS

    Investing in the skills and knowledge of Ontarians is a cornerstone of
the government's plan to strengthen the economy. Together with its partners in
education, the government is working to ensure students have the support and
the tools they need to succeed.
    New postsecondary and training investments in the 2008 Budget include:

    
    -   $560 million over three years to expand and improve training and
        apprenticeship programs across the province
    -   $465 million over three years to provide more support for students,
        including $385 million for Textbook and Technology grants and
        $27 million for Distance Grants to help students in remote areas with
        travel costs
    -   $200 million in 2007-08 to maintain and upgrade university facilities

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For further information:

For further information: Annette Phillips, Minister's Office, (416)
326-5748; Greg Flood, Communications Branch, (416) 325-2746