Peggy Revell
Confederation College and the Rainy River District School Board celebrated funding for new shop equipment, as well as the re-signing of their corporate agreement, yesterday afternoon at Fort Frances High School.
“We’re delighted to be here,” Confederation College president Patricia Lang said at the signing ceremony.
“We’re delighted to partner with [the RRDSB], celebrating the investment in equipment and, more importantly, the investment in people and believing in the youth of tomorrow.
“Believing that we need to invest in them so that they can realize their hopes and dreams and aspirations,” she stressed.
The original agreement between the two institutions, signed back in 2006, saw the creation of dual credits that apply both at Fort High and Confederation College, and other ways to help transition high school students into
post-secondary education.
Yesterday’s re-signing also highlighted $130,000 in funding from the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities that has brought in new equipment for the automotive and machine shop at Fort High thanks to the Apprenticeship Enhancement Fund (AEF).
This funding purchased two new milling machines, two lathes, one drill press, a cold cut saw, surface grinder, small bandsaw, TIG machine, three welders, and work tables with storage for students to use.
“It’s because of this great partnership that over the past five years we’ve had dual credit partnership, [had students] test-drive courses, acquire college credits, and earn areas of industry-recognized certifications,” noted Heather Campbell, director of education for the local public school board.
Areas of study have included hospitality and tourism, geography and environmental, sociology, accounting, and humanities, she cited.
As well, opportunities for wilderness first aid, CPR, safe food handling, GPS certification, service excellence, and ‘Smart Serve’ training have meant that students “enter the workforce very well-prepared,” Campbell added.
