September 11, 2015
Students at Murdoch Mackay Collegiate will Benefit from $250,000 in New Shops Equipment: Premier Selinger
Students taking technical vocational courses at Murdoch Mackay Collegiate can look forward to new state-of-the-art equipment that will give them the opportunity to train on industry standard equipment and prepare to build their careers right here at home in Manitoba, Premier Greg Selinger announced today.
“We are focused on preparing young Manitobans for the good jobs being created by our fast-growing economy,” said Premier Selinger. “Students who graduate from training programs with the same equipment used by industry get a head start as they prepare to enter the workforce or continue to post-secondary education.”
The province is investing more than $175,000 in new equipment for the school’s metal fabrication program, which will be used to purchase three mills, two lathes, two power MIG machines and one welding fabrication table. The metal fabrication program is accredited by Apprenticeship Manitoba, and is designed to provide students with work experience placements, and the skills and knowledge needed to establish careers in the manufacturing industry.
“We’re grateful the province is investing such a substantial amount of money for new equipment at Murdoch MacKay Collegiate,” said Colleen Carswell, chair, board of trustees, River East School Division. “We’re really proud of our vocational programs and today’s announcement means our students in metals, fashion, graphic arts and electronics at Murdoch MacKay will be able to develop their skills on state-of-the-art equipment and be well prepared for post-secondary training and jobs in the industry.”
Other equipment upgrades at the school include:
- a new dye submission printer for the fashion design and technology program, which prepares students for careers in retailing and manufacturing, and will allow students to use state-of-the-art ink-jet technology to create custom textiles through dye sublimation as well as achieve a greater understanding of textile creation and manipulation;
- a new laser and 3D printer for the graphic arts program, which prepares students for careers in graphic design, commercial art, advertising and photography as well as training in multimedia applications, such as video production and animation, with an emphasis on both computer-aided design and printed communication; and
- a new solar-energy system and solar-learning kits for the electronics program, which introduces new alternative energy technologies that relate directly to sustainable development and its outcomes, as well as creating opportunities for students to understand the concept of green technology and use off-grid solar power.
Investments in equipment for all four programs total more than $250,000.
The Manitoba government has launched a comprehensive skills strategy with targeted investments in schools to provide students with access to state-of-the-art equipment that will put them on a path to post-secondary education and good jobs, the premier said.
This includes:
- a $30-million Skill Build Shops fund to build and expand trades and skills shops in high schools;
- a $2-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 $1.5-million Skills Strategy Equipment Enhancement fund to upgrade classrooms to an apprenticeship-accredited level and bring welding, electrical, carpentry and culinary arts equipment into schools.
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