DURHAM COLLEGE
Durham College to expand skilled training with support from $75 million provincial investment

Durham College (DC) will play a central role in strengthening Ontario's construction workforce, thanks to a $75 million provincial investment in post-secondary institutions. Announced at DC's Whitby campus in August, the funding will expand construction and planning programs across Ontario - including those offered at DC - opening more doors for students to pursue rewarding careers in the skilled trades and urban planning.

This support means new opportunities to grow enrolment in programs that directly address the province's housing and infrastructure needs. By 2028, the initiative will add 7,500 new seats in construction programs and 300 spaces for urban planning graduate students across various colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes.

The Honourable Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence, and Security, and the Honourable David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development, made the announcement at DC's Ontario Power Generation Centre for Skilled Trades and Technology. They were joined by MPPs and Parliamentary Assistants Lorne Coe, Brian Saunderson, and Mohamed Firin, as well as DC Board members, students, employees, and industry partners, underscoring DC's vital contribution to preparing the next generation of workers.

"Durham College is thrilled to strengthen our programs through this provincial initiative," said Dr. Elaine Popp, President, DC. "By expanding our skilled trades and construction offerings, we're equipping graduates to meet Ontario's housing and infrastructure growing needs. With hands-on, future-focused training, our students are gaining the skills and experience to thrive and make a real difference in their communities."

Minister Piccini echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of investing in the province: "A productive workforce is a healthy workforce, and today's announcement is another step forward in breaking down barriers for more youth to access meaningful and rewarding careers."

For learners, the funding represents a direct investment in their future. "As a student," said Mariah Jarvis, currently enrolled in DC's Electrical Engineering Technician program, "it's exciting to see the government supporting the skilled trades. It shows that what we are learning today in the classroom will make a difference tomorrow."

Minister Quinn emphasized how students in these sectors are shaping the future:

"Students benefiting from this funding will build the homes, highways, hospitals, and critical infrastructure of tomorrow, strengthening what makes Ontario an incredible place to call home," said Minister Quinn. "Our colleges, universities, and Indigenous Institutes are more than just world-class places of learning they are the epicentres for workforce development and economic growth."