FUNDS ANNOUNCED FOR OETIO TRAINING CAMPUSES

July 2007 - The OETIO campuses in Oakville and Morrisburg ended the month of June on a high note, thanks in large part to the provincial government. On June 25, the campus in Oakville received $1,987,500 in provincial funding to replace, upgrade and purchase new crane training equipment. At a separate event three days later, the province announced another $1,395,000 to modernize equipment and expand training for heavy equipment operators at the Morrisburg facility. The money is being made available under the provincial Skills Training Infrastructure Program. The two amounts are the largest of 53 packages that have been awarded under the program and together represent 20 per cent of the $16.9 million that has been awarded to training centres. The province intends to invest a total of $25 million under the program in 2007-08. The money is to help the training centres replace or upgrade equipment and keep pace with changing technology so they can increase their ability to train more apprentices and workers. 

Oakville campus

The funding for the Oakville campus was announced by Training, Colleges and Universities Minister Chris Bentley and Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn at the Ontario Sheet Metal Workers Training Centre. Business manager Mike Gallagher spoke at the event and thanked Bentley and Flynn for the funding. Afterwards, he said the funds would enable Local 793 to train more young people for careers in the trade. “Training centres are key partners in the apprenticeship system and important to the economic health of Ontario. These funds will enable us to develop a safe, productive construction workforce to meet the increased demand for skilled labour. “Training is the cornerstone of our industry and the government has recognized the important contributions that unionized labour and employers make in developing a highly-skilled construction workforce. “Ontario has become the leader in apprenticeship training and this investment will ensure we keep our competitive edge.” In a brief speech at the event, Bentley said training centres represent a great potential for the province and the funding will help meet the skills needs of today, tomorrow and the future. “We’re moving Ontario forward together by expanding and upgrading training centres. Unions and employers know which skills their workers need to get the job done - and with up-to-date training equipment more workers can hit the ground running.” Flynn said the future of the province depends on the men and women in the skilled trades and he is pleased that both the operating engineers and sheet metal workers have put roots down in Oakville. “Oakville is solidifying its position as a leading centre for skills training thanks to new support for the sheet metal workers and operating engineers. By working together with industry and unions, we are increasing the number of training spaces with modern new training equipment to meet the needs of our growing economy.”

(L to R) Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher, Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn and Training, Colleges and Universities Minister Chris Bentley at a funding announcement held at the Ontario Sheet Metal Workers Training Centre in Oakville.

Morrisburg Campus

The funding for the Morrisburg campus was announced at the OETIO facility by Stormont-Dundas-Charlottenburgh MPP Jim Brownell. “Proper training is the foundation of a successful career,” Brownell said in a press release. “By investing in this training centre, we are creating greater opportunities for apprentices, workers and journeypersons across the province to train close to home, and have the opportunity to give back to our community. “Unions and employers know which skills their workers need to get the job done – and with up-to-date training equipment, more workers can hit the ground running.” Gerry Hughes, executive director of the OETIO, said he’s delighted with the government’s initiative to contribute to the high cost of skill training in the trades through the program.  “The Ontario government continues to support training programs for operating engineers through various funding initiatives. This grant is another example of the government’s insight in the development of skilled tradespersons to ensure safe, productive operators that will contribute to economic growth.”

(L to R) Exectutive Director of OETIO Gerry Hughes

and Stormont-Dundas-Charlottenburgh MPP Jim Brownell)

To view the official press release concerning funding for the Oakville site click Here!

To view the official press release concerning funding for the Morrisburg site click Here!