Durham College’s expanded training centre targets skills trades
Durham College’s (DC) newly minted skilled trades facility is shining a new light on training for several construction trades.
The college threw open the doors to its Ontario Power Generation Centre for Skilled Trades and Technology (CSTT) last month.
Located at the college’s Whitby campus, the 60,000-square-foot facility is home to numerous specialized labs and shops. The expanded facility will allow DC to increase its industrial skilled trades training capacity in Whitby by 750 students.
The new building includes several key features, such as a double-height shop lab to address the specialized needs of both the mechanical and construction programs. Home to a two-storey building model, the lab allows plumbing students to work underneath, while elevating devices allow students to work in an easily accessible dual-level elevator shaft.
Classrooms also feature moveable walls and furniture to accommodate various configurations, and several training labs also offer dedicated space and equipment for a range of programs.
Given the skilled-labour shortage at the regional, provincial and national level, the college says the project could not come at a better time. Skills Canada estimates that 40 percent of jobs in the next decade will be in skilled trades, while Colleges Ontario forecasts that by 2030 the province will face a skilled labour shortage of more than 500,000 workers.
The college says it continuously hears from its partners that they need more skilled workers and would like new programs developed to focus on emerging industries. Prior to the construction of the CSTT, DC struggled to keep up with the demand due to the previous physical space constraints.
“This incredible new facility will help bring student success to life, creating opportunities to advance innovation and knowledge and providing a career launchpad for the next generation of skilled tradespeople,” said DC President Don Lovisa. “The generosity and support from our community is an investment in our collective success and our students’ futures, and core not only to the successful completion of this building but to the entire revitalization of the Whitby campus as we continue to lead the way in transformative education.”
Ontario Power Generation helped fund the facility expansion.
“This state-of-the-art facility is just the latest in Ontario Power Generation’s decades-long partnership with Durham College,” said Subo Sinnathamby, senior vice president, Nuclear Refurbishment, OPG. “Now more than ever, we need skilled, talented and qualified graduates to support our current and future operational and project needs.”
Also supporting the campaign to construct the facility are the Region of Durham, the Town of Whitby and the Durham College Student Association. The college hopes to meet its goal of reaching $10 million in community support for the project this spring.