TORONTO, ONTARIO – Humber Polytechnic's newly expanded Centre for Skilled Trades and Technology is designed to meet Ontario’s growing demand for skilled workers and propel the economy forward as the institution tackles Canada’s productivity crisis. With industry-relevant labs and modern training spaces, the expanded Centre will provide students with hands-on experiences in fields such as industrial woodworking, electrical techniques, heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning (HRAC), among others.
As Ontario invests heavily in infrastructure, including transit, highways, and housing, Humber Polytechnic's 16,000 square-foot expansion of the Centre will provide support by adding 500 new skilled trades training opportunities across apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and post-secondary levels. Humber has contributed $2.16 million from its capital priorities fund, with additional funding of over $1 million from Ontario’s Apprenticeship Capital Grant, which brings Ontario’s overall contribution through the Apprenticeship Capital Grant to almost $6 million.
Located near Humber’s North campus at 110 Carrier Drive, the $9.5 million expansion includes specialized labs such as an HRAC lab, a gas and oil lab, and an AR/VR/XR simulation studio. Additionally, a 10,000-square-foot woodworking lab, converted from a former furniture manufacturing plant, will train students in trades such as carpentry and industrial woodworking.
The expansion also includes flexible lab spaces that can adapt to new industry technologies.
QUOTES:
“At Humber Polytechnic we’re committed to doing our part in addressing our country’s productivity crisis while helping students bridge their brilliant dreams with careers that are in high demand. Our mission is to equip graduates with the right skills and experience to build lifelong employability in a workforce that’s constantly evolving. With the expansion of the Centre for Skilled Trades and Technology, we are preparing the next generation of skilled workers to drive Ontario’s economy forward. Skilled trades professionals are the backbone of our economy, and we’re proud to offer facilities to ensure they receive the highest level of training.”
- Ann Marie Vaughan, President and CEO, Humber Polytechnic.
“The expansion of Humber Polytechnic’s skilled trades programs is a major step forward for students pursuing opportunities in the skilled trades. This expanded campus will help young people in Ontario find better jobs with bigger pay cheques and help our province develop the highly skilled workforce that will attract investments and build the roads, highways, schools, hospitals and other critical infrastructure that are essential to our growing communities.”
- The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario
“Congratulations to Humber Polytechnic on expanding this state-of-the art facility that will help learners gain the hands-on skills they need to join one of Ontario’s most in-demand workforces. By providing the latest learning tools and equipment and creating 500 new skilled trades training opportunities, Humber Polytechnic is developing the talent we need to build Ontario and connecting students to meaningful careers.”
- The Honourable Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges and Universities
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About Humber Polytechnic
Humber is Canada’s competitive advantage. Like the world around us, we’re constantly in motion, creating a new expectation for education, while helping solve Canada’s wicked productivity problem. More than just a place to learn, it’s a place to belong. Offering the largest depth and breadth of programming to more than 86,000 learners, Humber is pioneering innovative and collaborative approaches to teaching and learning. With the support of our deep-rooted industry connections, dedicated faculty, and amazing staff, at Humber, we build brilliance every single day. Visit humber.ca to learn more.
For more information, please contact:
Sylvie Lendvay
Media Relations and External Communications Specialist
Humber Polytechnic
Sylvie.lendvay@humber.ca | 416.729.8940