“Enrollment in Humber’s apprenticeship programs increased 10.5% this year and because of this we have expanded and improved our training facilities to meet the needs of our students,” John Davies, president of Humber College, said at the official opening of the facility.

Adds Davies, “The Centre for Trades & Technology addresses the demand for skilled trade workers in Ontario, and is one example of how Humber continues to provide students with quality educational experiences across our program spectrum from degrees to apprenticeships.”

The 95,000 sq. ft. facility offers the more than 2,000 students in skilled trade diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs with the opportunity to train in state-of-the-art, industry-simulated settings. The centre includes two full-sized townhomes and dedicated labs for programs including welding, construction, home renovation, plumbing, electrical, woodworking and cabinetmaking, building systems and more.

Humber has invested more than $16 million in the centre, including a $7 million contribution from the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.

“Strengthening our apprenticeship system is essential to building the skilled workforce Ontario needs to compete in today’s economy," said John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. “Ontario's investment in the Humber Centre for Trades & Technology is part of our $190 million Strategic Skills Training Capital Investment program and will ensure students can train with the best equipment available and be ready to compete in the new green economy.”

The opening of the new facility also marked the launch of Skilled Trades and Technology Week 2009, an event hosted annually by Skills Canada that promotes and raises awareness of skilled trade and technology careers in Canada.