The Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security paid a trip to St. Clair College on June 12, 2025, for a facility tour where he tried his hands at a number of skilled trades offered at the College.
Minister Nolan Quinn met with St. Clair College President Michael Silvaggi and members of the senior leadership team for a discussion before touring a few select locations around the College.
The tour included stops at the Carpentry Lab in the Centre for Construction Innovation and Production, as well as the Greenhouse, where Minister Quinn interacted with faculty and students, getting a taste of the curriculum with first-hand experiences at each location.
"Skilled trades programs across Ontario are preparing students for in-demand jobs that drive Ontario's economy," said Minister Quinn. "It was wonderful to visit St. Clair College and explore the Carpentry Lab and Greenhouse where students are learning hands-on, in-demand skills that will prepare them for successful careers in Ontario's critical sectors."
The Minister, joined by Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Andrew Dowie helped apply screws to secure studs for a wall, which was then erected, with the help of students.
At the Greenhouse, a student demonstrated for Minister Quinn the proper technique to pot a plant, a skill he then applied with a parsley plant.
"Having Minister Quinn visit our campus is a great opportunity to share recent institutional developments, have important conversations and also introduce him to the state-of-the-art facilities here at St. Clair College," said President Michael Silvaggi. "Giving our students in Greenhouse/Landscape Horticulture Technician and Carpentry programs a chance to not only meet the minister, but also show him what they're learning in school provides a snapshot into the skills development of the future workforce happening here at the College."
This is the Minister's second trip to St. Clair College since taking over ministerial duties in August 2024.
Dowie, who is also the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks, was also eager to get involved in the hands-on experience.
"It was a pleasure to visit St. Clair College with Minister Quinn to see first-hand how this institution, that has done so much for the community, continues to prepare students for careers that will help keep moving Ontario forward," Dowie said.
