OETIO gets another 1.7M from province

The OETIO campus in Morrisburg has been awarded an additional $1,696,425 in provincial funding to purchase new equipment and expand training opportunities for heavy equipment operators.
The money is being made available under the Skills Training Infrastructure Program (STIP).
Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry MPP Jim Brownell made the announcement during a ceremony at the campus Jan. 11.
“The Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario here in Morrisburg has a reputation for excellence in training and continues to produce highly-skilled workers,” he said in a statement.
“Investing in people and skills is the cornerstone of the McGuinty government’s economic strategy. By investing in apprentices and skilled workers, we’re building careers, businesses and our economy.”
Brownell told OETIO staff and apprentices gathered at the Morrisburg campus to hear the announcement that the facility has a good reputation and the Liberal government is well aware of the work being done.
“You have a great reputation for training excellence. We all know the good work that you do.”
STIP is a venture that was set up to help training centres keep pace with changing technological requirements and increase their ability to train more apprentices, trainees and workers.
The money will be used to purchase a bulldozer and ripper, excavators, mini-excavators, skid steers, concrete pump simulators and mechanical hoe simulators for the campus in Morrisburg.
The announcement marked the third time in seven months that the OETIO has received funding from the provincial Liberals.
Last June 25, the Oakville campus received $1,987,500 under the same program. At a separate announcement a few days later, the Morrisburg campus received $1,395,000 under STIP.
The two OETIO campuses have now received a total of $5,078,925 under STIP. That’s roughly 20 per cent of the $25 million that was made available under the program for 2007-08.
In an interview, Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher said he’s pleased the Liberals are investing in the OETIO campuses.
“This money will enable the OETIO to keep pace with changing technology and train more apprentices and workers,” he said. “Our training campuses are key partners in Ontario’s apprenticeship and skills training system and this money will help us prepare the workforce of the future.
“The government has recognized the important contributions that unionized labour and employers make in ensuring that Ontario has a safe and highly-skilled construction workforce. Investments like this will help ensure that the province keeps its competitive edge.”
OETIO executive director Gerry Hughes was delighted with the funding and the McGuinty government’s continuing support for OETIO programs.
“We are most encouraged that this government recognizes the importance of credible training for the trades in Ontario and for initiatives such as this to ensure a steady supply of skilled operators that can continue to contribute to the economic growth of Ontario,” he said in a statement.
Eastern Ontario area supervisor Rick Kerr thanked Brownell and the Liberals for the funding and said the money will create more opportunities for apprentices.
He said apprentices who trained at OETIO campuses are working across Ontario and the union is always receiving compliments about the high degree of professionalism they bring to the job.
Local 793 member Arthur Smitherman of Toronto, who was taking a bulldozer course at the Morrisburg campus, said the provincial funding is good for the union and for those in training.
“An investment like this gives us a lot of velocity. It gives us more prestige and good equipment to work on. This is the kind of thing that puts us at the forefront and gives us the competitive edge.”
Training, Colleges and Universities Minister John Milloy said in a statement that the funds will help ensure Ontario has skilled workers for the future.
“Ontario needs more skilled workers to keep our employers strong and our economy moving forward. We’re providing unions and employers with resources to give workers the skills they need to keep our economy competitive.”