The School of Technology is innovating its programming to train skilled tech professionals thanks to provincial investments in leading edge instructional equipment.

Propelled by Niagara College’s innovation-focused Strategic Plan, the School of Technology is undergoing a substantial upgrade and is creating new interactive learning opportunities for students thanks to match funding from the province.

On March 31, MPP Niagara West Sam Oosterhoff visited NC’s Welland Campus to announce a provincial investment from the College Equipment and Renewal Fund (CERF) of $825,000, matched by the college’s contribution of $829,560, for a total project cost of $1,654,560 in 2022-23. The funds will support the purchase of leading-edge instructional equipment and learning resources to prepare graduates for lucrative, in-demand careers in technology.

“Niagara College wants to thank the provincial government for their incredible support. Their investment will help to make a significant impact on student learning at Niagara College as we continue to train skilled tech professionals,” said President Sean Kennedy.

“This support will ensure students at Niagara College have access to the latest instructional tools and equipment to meet business and industry standards,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.

As part of the investment to future-proof NC’s technology programs, the school will acquire a wide range of equipment at its Welland Campus, including industry-standard PLC workstations, process automation stations, mechatronics workstations and mixed-reality headsets. 

The new process automation station by Festo is among the first of its kind at Canadian colleges and a testament to NC’s cutting-edge programming. The training station allows students to experiment with concepts like pressure, flow, level, temperature, and pH to learn how goods are manufactured with consistent composition and quality.

The upgrades will benefit students in a broad range of fields including electrical, electronics and mechanical engineering, and renewable energies.

“Manufacturing is progressing rapidly to Industry 4.0 – automation with intelligence. This investment in programming, robotics, automation, and machine design will provide our students with more hands-on industrial equipment to support the experiential learning activities within the College,” said NC technology professor and program coordinator Rick Baldin. “Our Niagara College Mechanical and Electrical engineering technologists and technicians are already highly in demand in industry and this equipment will provide them with more practical skills to further support and elevate the manufacturing sector in Niagara and Ontario.”

Minister of Colleges and Universities, Jill Dunlop, visited NC in September 2022 where she demoed some of the new equipment. The visit was an opportunity to see how the technology is being incorporated into labs and a chance to see the benefits of the government’s investments first-hand.

School of Technology alumna and outgoing President of NC’s Student Administrative Council Samantha Jemison shared her excitement for current and future students. “Thanks to this new equipment, they will be even more competitive in the industry and it’s so incredible to see,” she said.

Ministry of College and Universities College Equipment and Renewal Fund

The funds support colleges to acquire and renew instructional equipment and learning resources to deliver relevant, high-quality education and training that meet evolving employer needs and support Ontario’s economy.

Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 9,500 students from over 80 countries, who study in 130 diploma, certificate and bachelor degree programs at specialized campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara College is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world and is consistently ranked among Canada’s top 10 colleges for research funding. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.

Group: Niagara College President Sean Kennedy, MPP Niagara West Sam Oosterhoff, Welland Mayor Frank Campion and Niagara Regional Chair Jim Bradley with students in NC’s School of Technology. MPP Oosterhoff visited NC on March 31 to announce provincial match funding for the College for 2022-23 to support leading edge instructional equipment to train skilled graduates for the careers of tomorrow.

Tour: MPP Niagara West Sam Oosterhoff toured labs within the Rankin Technology Centre at Niagara College’s Welland Campus following the funding announcement. MPP Oosterhoff is pictured with technology professor and program coordinator Rick Baldin.