Ontario Construction News staff writer
Humber College says expanding its Carrier Drive Centre for Skilled Trades and Technology will help address the increasing demand for apprenticeship and trades training in Ontario.
Scheduled to start construction this fall, the $9.5 million expansion will include simulated worksites for hands-on learning and alternative methods of course delivery, such as online learning and the use of virtual reality and augmented reality in trades including plumbing, carpentry, electrical, welding, industrial wood working and renovation labs.
Construction is scheduled to be completed over the next three years.
“Humber is a leader in creating state-of-the-art learning labs that provide the opportunity for students to collaborate and obtain hands-on experience using cutting-edge equipment and facilities,” Farzad Rayegani, senior dean, Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology said in a news release.
“The expansion of the Centre for Skilled Trades and Technology will provide enhanced training spaces for additional pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship and post-secondary learners. Humber is playing a significant role in addressing the skilled trade shortage in Ontario and demonstrating its commitment to building a strong future skilled workforce.”
Ontario’s Apprenticeship Capital Grant (ACG) will provide more than $1 million in funding annually for three years to support the project and the college will be contributing approximately $2.16 million per year.
“We all benefit from more training opportunities that enable hardworking people to learn the skills they need to support their families and contribute to their communities,” said Minister Monte McNaughton, minister of labour, training and skills development,. “Our government is on a mission spread opportunity more fairly and widely by giving people a hand up and helping them start well-paying and meaningful careers in the trades.”
The planned 16,620-sq. ft. addition to the centre will allow the college to:
Increase the number of skilled trades training opportunities for pre-apprentices, apprentices and post-secondary learners by approximately 500 students.
- Add additional trades training in the construction, industrial and service sectors.
- Improve existing facilities at 110 Carrier Dr., improving efficiency in space utilization and training effectiveness.
- Offer students more learning choices.
- Explore and implement alternative methods of course delivery including online and in-person learning and the use of virtual and augmented reality will provide students with multiple choices to support their learning style.
- Create multi-purpose labs/classrooms facilitating better delivery of hands-on and theoretical learning.
- Improve access to in-class training, including removing accessibility barriers and addressing gender equity.