OSHAWA, Ont. - With the latest statistics emphasizing a major shortage of skilled trades workers in Ontario over the next decade, this year's crop of post-secondary students are eagerly looking to skilled trade and apprenticeship programs as an opportunity to secure a bright future and a well-paying job.
Classes begin today for more than 1,400 students at the Durham College Whitby Skills Training Centre. As one of Canada's leading Skills Training Centres, the Whitby campus offers programs in areas including construction, industrial, manufacturing, communications, automotive service and repair, and emergency response sectors. This year, health, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) programs are posting record enrolment growth. Enrolment in the Advanced Care Paramedic program jumped 85 per cent over last year, while enrolment increased by 40 per cent in the HVAC program.
With this year's new, market-driven programs, additional highly qualified faculty and enhanced campus facilities, students are off to a great start. Students at the Whitby campus will benefit from technology enhancements including advanced audio visual equipment in classrooms and labs.
Recognizing the critical role that skilled trades workers play in a strong Ontario economy, more students are choosing to pursue skilled trades programs at the post-secondary level, said Judith Moretton, vice-president of Academic Excellence and Innovation at Durham College. With this year's enrolment, we're bursting at the seams. We're focusing on ways to greatly expand our campus to meet the needs of students and help fill a major gap in our labour market.
As a pipe fitter, my dad encouraged me to study a trade, says Peter McCann, a first-year Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Techniques student from Oshawa. With the skills I will gain, I'll have plenty of opportunity for job security and a good salary after graduation.
The Whitby Skills Training Centre serves more than 1,800 full-time students and more than 6,000 part-time students.
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About Durham College
For 38 years, Durham College has been committed to providing job-focused programs, accomplished professors, quality-driven innovation, student success and superior accountability. Our college has ranked first in provincial indicators for student satisfaction in the GTA for six years running, and at an 89.7 per cent grad employment rate, we have the highest ranking of the six GTA colleges. We've got over 5,500 full-time and 22,000 part-time students enrolled in just under 100 programs, as well as about 2,000 apprentices. For more information, visit our website at www.durhamcollege.ca, or call 905.721.2000.
Media contact:
Heather Middleton
Communications and Marketing
905.721.3111 ext. 2197
heather.middleton@dc-uoit.ca
Tania Henvey
Communications and Marketing
905.721.3111 ext. 2513
tania.henvey@dc-uoit.ca
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