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Province urged to expand engineering degree programs

Earlier this year, Georgian College and Lakehead University postponed the launch of their planned integrated four-year degree/diploma in electrical engineering pending the outcome of a review.
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NEWS RELEASE

GEORGIAN COLLEGE

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The Wynne government is being urged to expand the number of specialized engineering degree programs offered at Ontario’s colleges.

“There is a growing demand for engineering graduates in highly specialized areas such as automation and robotics, and energy systems engineering management,” said MaryLynn West-Moynes, Georgian College President and CEO. “A government decision to expand engineering degree programs at colleges will help us produce graduates who can fill important positions in our local economy.”

The colleges’ proposal comes as the ministry prepares to make decisions about the number of postsecondary engineering programs to be offered in the province.

The ministry has been reviewing the labour market demand for engineering graduates.

Earlier this year, Georgian College and Lakehead University postponed the launch of their planned integrated four-year degree/diploma in electrical engineering pending the outcome of the review.

“We want to offer the best of college and university to students in a program where residents of Simcoe County and Central Ontario can earn an engineering degree without having to leave the region. Employers throughout our area would also benefit by having access to a larger pool of qualified engineering professionals who could help move their businesses forward,” said West-Moynes.

Currently, only one Ontario college offers engineering degrees – in electronic systems and mechanical systems.

However, the colleges have determined through discussions with industry partners that there is a need for an increase in specialized programs at several colleges to support a range of small and medium-sized businesses.

Engineering programs at colleges would continue to be highly specialized.

These programs would respond to identified demands in the workforce and would include experiential learning opportunities with businesses – a key driver in business growth and job creation.

Expanding the number of engineering programs at colleges would provide more opportunities for students in underrepresented and lower-income groups, which tend to be better represented in colleges.

It would also create more opportunities for students to expand their future learning opportunities with the ability to transfer from technology programs into specialized engineering programs.

“We can help more people in our community get into programs that will lead to rewarding careers,” said West-Moynes. “The expansion of engineering degree programs at colleges will help strengthen our economy and our community.”

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