The Ontario Government announced that it will make the remaining $4.25 million investment to complete the St. Clair College Centre for Construction Innovation and Production.

Starting in September 2009, the centre will include 10 full-time technicians and 30 part-time instructors in the 30,000 square feet of new learning space. This will expand the ability of the college to offer courses in industrial training, applied technology and skilled trades to meet the opportunities of an increasingly diversified economy. 

The announcement was made by Provincial Cabinet Ministers and local M.P.P.s Dwight Duncan and Sandra Pupatello, along with St. Clair College President John Strasser at the building site.

“Five years ago we delivered a cheque for $5 million to get this project off the ground,” said Duncan. “We all know the challenges this community is facing ... Diversifying the economy takes time so we've got to move aggressively on the infrastructure side now ... We need workers, men and women, to help us do that.”

Minister Pupatello commented, “The auto sector will come back, but today's economy means we can't afford to wait. We need people trained and ready for when the economy takes off again.”

College President John Strasser said “The new investment means the school no longer has to raise funds for the building and can focus on fundraising for other projects.” The impact that this will have on student enrollment next fall will be very positive.  The combination of laid-off workers seeking a new career along with high school graduates seeking admission should make this fall a record breaking year for St. Clair. The training provided through this project will enable more workers to be ready to build our region, province and country as the economy continues to be stimulated.  St. Clair is proud to receive this investment in the future of the College and our region.