The Ontario government has pledged $2.56 million to the Lakehead University – Georgian College partnership, which provides dual degree and diploma programs for students in STEM fields.
The partnership between the two post-secondary institutions began in 2017 and provides students an opportunity to achieve a degree and a diploma in a four-year timeframe, with four current program offerings in engineering, environmental sustainability, life/health sciences, and computer science, geared towards meeting the needs of the local economy.
Simcoe North MPP Jill Dunlop, who is Ontario's Minister of Colleges and Universities, announced the funding Tuesday at the Lakehead Orillia campus.
“Ontario businesses face an acute shortage of highly skilled workers. With these shortages, it's important that the post-secondary education sector continues to provide workers and students with the most current knowledge and skills necessary for today's jobs,” Dunlop said.
“That is why I'm thrilled to be here today to highlight our continued support for the collaboration between Lakehead University and Georgian College.”
The funding will be split equally between Lakehead University and Georgian College in support of their partnership for 2022-23.
Dunlop said the hands-on training of college and the in-depth knowledge gained through university creates graduates that are job-ready, and says the partnership affords Simcoe County residents great opportunities to study near home.
“This initiative helps students gain the knowledge and hands-on training they need to get good jobs and hit the ground running when they graduate and enter the workforce,” she said.
“When students have the opportunities to learn and stay right here in their own area, they're more likely to stay after graduation as well,” she said. “We're facing a local labour market shortage. The opportunity for students to have the mix of diplomas, degrees, right here close to home, they're more likely to stay in and fill those needs.”
Roughly 3,000 students are currently benefiting from the partnership, and more than half of the partnership’s students come from Simcoe County, officials say.
“I am pleased to report that currently 56 per cent of students enrolled in the partnership programs come from Simcoe County, and furthermore, this June we will welcome the second class of graduates from our partnership program,” said Dr. Dean Jobin Bevans, Lakehead Orillia Campus Principal.
“The academic programming within the partnership is in response to business and industries in the county who are seeking skilled critical thinkers and all in support of growing economies throughout our region," he said.
The funding announced by the province will go into bolstering the partnership’s current program offerings and evaluating the needs of the local economy moving forward, officials said.
“We plan to continue to build the partnership … around what the programs would be that would meet the needs of our communities,” said Angela Lockridge, Georgian College's vice president of student success and corporate services.
“We'll continue to build the four programs we have … and then, of course, look at what will meet the industry needs in the future,” she said. “The funding that we're receiving currently will also assist us in expanding the experiential learning opportunities for students with the programs that we currently have in place.”
