NORTH
BAY, ON, Sept. 27, 2024 /CNW/ - Canadore College's
Innovation Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Prototyping
(ICAMP) opened its doors to more than 100 secondary school students
from Nipissing, Parry Sound, and West Nipissing. to teach about the eVehicles,
sustainable energy, and critical mineral extraction/processing
sectors. Canadore received $108, 825
from the Ontario government
through the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network's (OVIN) Regional
Future Workforce – Critical Minerals Pilot Program to teach the
students about eVehicles, sustainable energy, and critical mineral
extraction and processing.
"It's crucial that young people across Ontario, especially those from Indigenous
communities and underrepresented groups, are made aware of the
rewarding career opportunities available in the critical minerals
sector," said David Piccini,
Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
"From mining to manufacturing, the Regional Future Workforce –
Critical Minerals Pilot Program has provided the next generation
with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in these high-demand
fields. I commend OVIN for their dedication to ensuring that our
province's supply chain is supported by a diverse and skilled
workforce, prepared to drive Ontario's transition to an electric and
sustainable future."
"This funding provided Canadore College the opportunity to
introduce students to the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in
the evolving automotive and mobility industries," said Brad Gavan, Director, ICAMP, Corporate,
Community & Alumni Partnership.
"Ontario is the only
jurisdiction in the western hemisphere with all of the critical
minerals required to build electric vehicle batteries," said
Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic
Development, Job Creation and Trade. "As we look towards the future
and continue to position Ontario
as a top tier destination for investment, the Regional Future
Workforce Critical Minerals Pilot Program will serve as a
foundation for advancing workforce opportunities across the
automotive, mobility, and clean technology sectors. We congratulate
OVIN on the launch of this initiative and look forward to seeing
their efforts boost our province's end-to-end vehicle supply
chain."
By combining technical skills, STEM (science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics) education, and skilled trades
training with hands-on industry experience, students gained the
knowledge and expertise necessary to thrive in the rapidly changing
automotive and mobility sectors.
The workshops included critical minerals, EV battery materials
and testing, and Canadore's Motive Power Zero Emission Training
Centre. They were conducted by automotive, electrical, and
innovation experts at Canadore College, within ICAMP, and staff
from Miller Technology, a North
Bay company that develops advanced technologies for
contemporary mining operations. As part of the Canadore/ICAMP
experience, students discussed what is required in a functional
eVehicle as they assembled a functional eVehicle model.
"Careers in STEM fields, as well as in skilled trades, are in
high demand and often underexplored," said Sylvain Vachon, Vice-Principal of the
Student Success Team and Lead in Experiential Learning at
Conseil scolaire catholique Franco-Nord. "As educators, it is
crucial to expose students to these growing career paths, helping
them to better understand opportunities available while fostering a
lasting interest in careers they might not have otherwise
considered."
"This experience empowers students to make informed decisions
about their future. Careers in electric vehicles (EV) are rapidly
expanding as the world shifts towards sustainable energy solutions.
By exploring cutting-edge EV technologies during the workshop,
Franco-Nord students gained valuable insights into this innovative
field, which combines both STEM knowledge and skilled trade
expertise, opening a range of exciting career possibilities in the
EV industry," said Vachon.
"ICAMP engaged the school students to learn more about critical
minerals and electric vehicles," said George Burton, Canadore President and CEO.
"Canadore will play a critical role in filling the growing
workforce demands and opportunities within Ontario's critical minerals, electrical
vehicles, and advanced manufacturing sectors. These students now
know what Canadore can offer them in terms of career
preparation."
"Ontario is leading the charge
towards an electric future, one that is built on two strong
foundations: the province's wealth of critical minerals in
Northern Ontario, and its highly
skilled, diverse and future-ready workforce that is primed to meet
the rapidly evolving demands of the automotive and mobility
sector," said Raed Kadri, Head of
OVIN. "Through key workforce development initiatives that engage
talent from across the province, Ontario is empowering the current and future
generations of the workforce to power the province's shift to
electrification and reinforce our position as the world's foremost
automotive and mobility jurisdiction."
Canadore College trains people through applied learning,
leadership, and innovation. It provides access to over 80 full-time
quality programs and has outstanding faculty and provides success
services to students from nearly 400 Canadian communities and 25
international countries. The College, its students, and alumni add
$402.5 million to the Nipissing Parry
Sound service area economy. Approximately 1,000 students graduate
from Canadore each year, and they join 70,000 alumni working across
the globe. Canadore receives less than 50 per cent of its
traditional funding from the provincial Ministry of Colleges and
Universities and relies on its own innovation and entrepreneurial
endeavours and generous donors for the balance.
SOURCE Canadore College