In a move to bring more people into the construction industry, the provincial government is providing Ontario colleges and universities with $75 million to expand their programs.
Confederation College will be among those to share in the funding.
Colleges and Universities Minister Nolan Quinn says the money will open up spaces for more than 7,800 additional students.
“Students supported by this investment will build the homes, highways, hospitals, and critical infrastructure of tomorrow, strengthening what makes Ontario an incredible place to call home,” says Quinn.
Seven thousand, five hundred new spaces will be at colleges and Indigenous Institutes for construction programs, such as welding, carpentry and renovation techniques.
The funding will also support up to 300 new seats for graduate students at universities in programs that train urban and land use planners.
Labour Minister David Piccini says it will address the need for skilled workers across Ontario.
“We can’t do it without our college partners. You just can’t,” says Piccini.
“And in every corner, whether it’s a new water sewer main in my community of Coburg to support more homes or whether it’s a new Ontario Line subway, we need workers in the skilled trades and it’s our college partners, it’s our union partners, our TDA (training and development agency) partners who are going to get the job done.”
The province says colleges receiving funding will be able to expand enrollment in their programs starting as early as September.
