An official from the Midland campus of Georgian College told council Wednesday night that the college is doing its part to meet the need for skilled tradespeople in the area.
"The Midland campus meets local demands for skilled trades and provides industry with vital, highly-skilled trades people," said Mac Greaves, associate dean and campus principal for the Robbert Hartog Midland Campus.
"We offer small class sizes partially because everything is hands-on learning. We employ local experts in skilled trades. A lot of our faculty are local experts in their trades," said Greaves.
In his presentation to council, Greaves said almost 1,200 students go through the Midland campus each year.
"A lot of people don’t realize just how active that campus is, especially given the shortfall on skilled trades," he said.
Currently, there are 45 staff "dedicated to improving the student experience and touchpoints in the community," said Greaves, referencing the students' involvement in local events, such as the upcoming Butter Tart Festival.
In 2016/17, consultants hired by the college concluded that the Midland campus had contributed $6.8 million to the town's economy and injected $27.9 million into Simcoe County.
"Many of the students do their room and board in town and that’s also a good reach out into the community," said Greaves. "Our 1,000 or so students all find short-term housing in Midland and it’s been a great success and it’s a way we can share the positive experience with the Town of Midland."
Some of the popular programs at the campus include welding, plumbing, and marine engine technician course, he said.
"Last year, for every grad in our marine program, we had between four and six jobs for each of our students," Greaves said, adding that the college produces 400 to 500 electricians a year in the Midland area.
"Anybody who wants to come take a tour, please come see the shops," he said. "It is phenomenal. It is truly the jewel in Georgian's crown."
At the end of the presentation, Coun. Bill Gordon inquired about academic upgrading offered at the campus.
"Let’s say they have a Grade 12, but they didn’t graduate with stellar marks," he said. "Is there a pre-approval program they can go through to brush up to get into an apprentice program?"
Greaves explained that the academic upgrading program at the local campus is targeted specifically at helping students gain apprenticeship to the trades by helping them achieve the appropriate academic standing.
Mayor Stewart Strathearn was curious about the future of the college.
"Any thoughts on expanding the campus here?" he asked.
Greaves told council the campus is at full capacity for the number of programs it can offer out of its current facilitiues.
"We can take more students, but we cannot take any more programs," he added. "If we are to add programs, we absolutely will have to expand. It is certainly something we’re looking at. It would be the possible addition of construction trades to the Midland campus. We’re always looking at that."
Coun. Cody Oschefski, who is a Georgian College alumni, said he had been told the campus is now a "whole new world now."
"Both my parents are also proud Georgian College alumni, so this is close to home for me," he said. "Thanks for pushing the message that blue-collar jobs are cool. It’s not not cool to be in the trades. There is a light at the end of the tunnel of trades."
Coun. Cher Cunningham echoed Oschefski's sentiments about the college's presence and impact in the community.
"I think it's so important for council and the community to recognize that it's a vibrant campus and that it’s supplying a vibrant industry," she said. "Sometimes people think that manufacturing is dead. They may not consider the skilled trades and there's such a huge need for it.
"I also want to comment about how proud I am that the vibrant campus isn’t sitting as a silo, but is one of the pillars of building those opportunities in our community," added Cunningham. "Your openness to listen and work with organizations, corporations, and staff, is a message that needs to be heard throughout the community."
