March 31, 2009 - NORTHERN COLLEGE WELCOMES 2009 PROVINCIAL BUDGET

“We are encouraged by the provincial government’s commitment to invest in postsecondary education and related infrastructure as a means to stimulate economic recovery and ensure sustainability for Northeastern Ontario,” said Fred Gibbons, interim president, Northern College.

A number of leading-edge initiatives and shovel-ready projects at Northern College dovetail with areas of investment outlined in the government’s recent budget.

Operating Funding
In recognition of the enrolment growth and operating pressures facing postsecondary institutions, the Budget provides $150 million in immediate, one-time support for colleges and universities. Northern College expects to receive some funding to help alleviate in-year operating pressures as the College strives to meet the needs of students and communities.

Infrastructure
The Budget provides $780 million in new capital funding over two years.

Last fall, the Ontario Government announced $8 million in funding towards Northern College’s Centre of Applied Trades and Technology expansion which would address a number of areas in which local enrolment is quite strong and where graduates are finding ready employment opportunities. The creation of a Centre for Trades and Technology, as well as a proposed Phase II expansion for a Centre of Excellence in Health Sciences and Emergency Services at the Porcupine Campus will allow the College to increase program capacity in addition to introducing new allied programs that are being requested by local employers. The College is also planning a satellite trades centre at its Moosonee Campus.

In addition to the expansion at the Porcupine Campus, the College also has a number of other funding applications in front of both the federal and provincial governments. These include infrastructure and equipment enhancements for the School of Welding Engineering Technology and Kirkland Lake, and the School of Veterinary Sciences in Haileybury.

Skills Training and Apprenticeship
The Province’s Second Career Initiative is allowing the College to assist numerous unemployed individuals retrain for a new career; however, many of these applicants require academic upgrading. The government has recognized this need and has provided for a $90 million investment to expand literacy and basic skills training.

Furthermore, the Budget includes $50 million per year in proposed enhancements to the Co-operative Education Tax Credit and to the Apprenticeship Training Tax Credit.

“Northern College has been emphasizing the need for increased training opportunities and we are pleased to see that the government’s agenda matches our intentions to expand on skills and apprenticeship training, training that is critical to our communities and local economies,” said Mr. Gibbons.

Although there has been an increase in enrolment of over 30% in apprenticeship programs at the Porcupine Campus in the past year, there are still more than 1,000 registered apprentices across 15 trades that have to leave the region to complete the in-school components of their apprenticeships.

Applied Research

The Budget provides $10 million over three years for the Colleges Ontario Network for Industry Innovation.

“This is also encouraging news for Northern College since it is one of our strategic goals to support growth in science-based programs and to increase opportunities in applied research as a means of contributing to the economic development and diversification of Northeastern Ontario,” stated Mr. Gibbons.

This direction is currently reflected in the foundational work the School of Welding Engineering Technology has been doing with the Materials Joining Innovation Centre (MaJIC) located at the Kirkland Lake Campus. MaJIC serves as a technology storehouse and an education and training centre, as well as provides expertise in matters of applied research and development as well as technology transfer.


“Northern College is focused on meeting the training needs of employers and providing access to postsecondary education for students in the North. Increased provincial and federal investment is vital to the sustainability of the North and the building of a skilled workforce for future growth as the economy recovers. Investing in shovel-ready projects and infrastructure, such as Northern College’s Centre for Trades and Technology will stimulate job growth in the region, as well as create capacity to meet the training needs of youth and laid-off workers in our communities,” said Mr. Gibbons.

-30-


Media Contact: Kathy Gagain, President’s Office - 705-235-7136

Back to the Headlines