September 26, 2014
Manitoba Government Announces Expansion to the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology
– – –Expanded Campus to Provide Job-ready Skills Training to More High School Students, More Opportunities for Students to Train for Good Jobs: Minister Allum
The Manitoba government is providing new support for an expanded campus at the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology (MITT), a unique, hybrid institution for high school students to complete their high school education and receive college-level technical training credits at the same time, Education and Advanced Learning Minister James Allum announced today.
“MITT is an important part of this government’s Skills Strategy,” said Minister Allum. “Our government is focused on connecting our young people to good jobs right here in Manitoba and putting in place the training, equipment and programs needed to get them ready for those jobs.”
Last spring the government announced a new and expanded mandate for MITT. The school will begin issuing senior-years technology education diplomas, as well as post-secondary diplomas for trades and technology training. This move is expected to expand the school’s secondary enrolments by more than 500 students by 2019-20, the minister noted.
Today, the province announced an investment of $500,000 to create 4,050 sq. ft. of new classroom space at MITT.
“We are thrilled with the province’s announcement today,” said Paul Holden, president and CEO, MITT. “This is a different and exciting new way to think about education and training and how to access it. It will create extraordinary opportunities for students and industry.”
The minister noted MITT is also expanding its partnership with the Division scolaire franco-manitobaine (DSFM)to allow more students to access technical and vocational training.
“We are excited our students will now have the opportunity to participate in trades and technical programming, ultimately provided in French at MITT,” said Bernard Lesage, president, Commission scolaire franco-manitobaine.
The DSFM is currently providing 80 students courses in Introduction to Trades and Technology or Introduction to Carpentry. It is anticipated that these numbers will increase by an additional 200 over the next two years.
The minister also announced the appointment of the new MITT governing board, which is made up of representatives from government, industry and education.
“I’m delighted with the announcement of the new governing board of MITT,” said John Schubert, board chair. “Each member brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that together will significantly enhance our ability to see our new mandate through.”
Minister Allum noted MITT is a key partner in the Manitoba government’s plan to add 75,000 skilled workers to the labour force by 2020.
The Manitoba government has launched a comprehensive skills strategy to provide students with access to state-of-the-art equipment that will create a pathway to post-secondary education and good jobs, the ministersaid. This includes:
- a new, $30-million Skill Build Shops fund to build and expand trades and skills shops in high schools;
- a new, $1-million career development fund to ensure students leave high school with a good idea of where they want to go and how to get there, whether it is through a university, college, work placement or on-the-job training and apprenticeship; and
- a new, $1-million Skill Build Equipment fund to upgrade classrooms to an apprenticeship-accredited level and bring welding, electrical, carpentry and culinary arts equipment into schools.
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