The Trade UP!

Canadian school wins $1.7 million in government funding

Filed under Canada, Grants, Trades and Culture

Morrisburg Ontario is home to the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario (OETIO), which has just been awarded $1.7 million from the Ontario government to expand its training opportunities for heavy equipment operators and purchase new equipment. The money is made available by the Skills Training Infrastructure Program (STIP).

In announcing the funding, the local Member of Parliament, Jim Brownell said, “The Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario here in Morrisburg has a reputation for excellence in training and continues to produce highly-skilled workers…By investing in apprentices and skilled workers, we’re building careers, businesses and our economy.”

New equipment will include a bulldozer, a ripper, excavators, mini-excavators, skid steers, concrete pump simulators and mechanical hoe simulators.

STIP is a government venture by the Province of Ontario initiated to help training centers like OETIO meet the challenges of changing technology and provide them with an increased ability to train more apprentices, trainees and workers.

The Executive Director of OETIO, Gerry Hughes, expressed gratitude for the funding and Ontario’s support for OETIO programs.

“We are most encouraged that this government recognizes the importance of credible training for the trades in Ontario and for initiatives such as this to ensure a steady supply of skilled operators that can continue to contribute to the economic growth of Ontario,” he said.