On Tuesday, April 4, The Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Federal Minister of Labour, visited Niagara College’s Welland Campus to tour labs within the School of Trades, hear the stories of students and apprentices from all walks of life, and witness NC’s spirit of innovation first-hand.
The visit highlighted federal budget investments for 2023 which centre on support for Canadian tradespeople and creating fulfilling and lucrative jobs in trades that will drive the future of Canada’s clean economy.
At the Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre, Minister O’Regan was welcomed by NC President Sean Kennedy and members of the Executive and leadership teams including Vice-President, Academic, Fiona Allan, Vice President, Research, Innovation and Strategic Initiatives, Marc Nantel, Director, Government Relations, Mabel Watt, Dean, Media Trades and Technology, Leo Tiberi, and Associate Dean of Trades, Jeff Murrell.
The Minister was accompanied by Chris Bittle, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Member of Parliament for St. Catharines and Vance Badawey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services and Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre. Welland Mayor Frank Campion, a strong supporter of the College, was also present on tour.
As part of the visit, the Minister visited electrical, construction, green technology, and automotive power labs.
In the construction lab, the Minister engaged with students as they learned the complexities of modifying existing structures. He spoke with Carpentry and Renovation Technician program student Rachel Vonk about what drew her to make a career change to the skilled trades.
Rachel is in the carpentry and renovation program here at Niagara College. She was in the sciences but wanted a change. She wanted to work with her hands.
This budget supports the skilled trades. This budget supports Rachel.
This is a workers’ budget. pic.twitter.com/xQALFuYupi
— Seamus O'Regan Jr (@SeamusORegan) April 5, 2023
In the green technology lab, Minister O’Regan spoke with professor and program coordinator Wayne Toth as he observed electric vehicle charging stations, hybrid and electric motor diagnostic and simulation tools, and several donated hybrid and fully electric vehicles used by NC students.
Fourth semester Motive Power student Gustavo Rocha from Brazil showed the Minister a hybrid vehicle battery that students learn on during their studies.
Finally, the Minister toured the motive power lab where students were learning the basics of internal combustion engines to be able to diagnose and rebuild. He had a chance to observe a new and highly innovative student project: the conversion of a 1979 Chevy Stepside truck with gasoline engine into a working electric vehicle.
This 1979 Chevy Stepside has seen better days.
And it will again, when the students at Niagara College transform it into an electric vehicle.
They’re way ahead of EV batteries and production. They’re teaching their students maintenance and repairs.
Because the future is here. pic.twitter.com/A5u2SwAvzb
— Seamus O'Regan Jr (@SeamusORegan) April 4, 2023
During his visit, Minister O’Regan discussed the importance of moving quickly to show the world that Canada and Ontario are well-positioned to meet the demand for trades expertise to support a green economy, and praised the College for their leadership and innovation.
“Thanks for the inspiration and great stories. You’ve given us a lot to work with,” said Minister O’Regan following the tour. “One of the biggest challenges we’re facing right now is attracting people to the trades… We have everything we need here, like leaders on the ground like we have here in Niagara. Students are skating to where the puck is going, so you just need to equip them with the skills that they need.”
“Niagara College, our students, and the industry all benefit from investments in the skilled trades and apprenticeships,” said President Kennedy. “Investments like this from the federal government enhance our efforts to train Monday-morning-ready graduates with the practical skills they need to play a key role in the rapidly growing construction industry and Canada’s economy.”
At the end of the visit, President Kennedy presented Minister O’Regan with a special token made by students in the Student Trades Club. The custom floral arrangement represents three of NC’s primary trades areas – welding, machining, and carpentry – and features a trillium flower, Ontario’s official floral emblem.
