April 23, 2014
New Legislation would Enable Winnipeg Technical College to Play Expanded Role in Jobs, Skills Training: Minister Allum
Legislation introduced today would establish the Winnipeg Technical College (WTC) as a stand-alone hybrid institution that would provide both secondary and post-secondary skills training, Education and Advanced Learning Minister James Allum has announced.
WTC would become the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology (MITT) and take on an expanded role in providing jobs and skills training to Manitoba high school and post-secondary students,Minister Allum said.
“Winnipeg Technical College is an important part of this government’s essential skills development strategy,” said the minister. “This new legislation will help the institution to establish stronger ties with industry and other educational institutions to ensure a more seamless education pathway from high school to college or university, and on to a good job. As it becomes the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology it will take on an even bigger role, giving more Manitoba students the opportunity to take job-related training while in high school.”
Winnipeg Technical College provides secondary and post-secondary students with hands-on, skills training for a variety of jobs from health care and human services, to information and business technology, and the skilled trades. The minister said the new legislation would:
- expand and encourage access to MITT for all Manitoba high school students, leading to a high school diploma,
- improve the marketability of job training at MITT by providing greater recognition for MITT certificates and diplomas,
- grow Manitoba’s workforce by officially recognizing MITT’s role in delivering training programs for in‑demand jobs in partnership with industry, and
- better attract out-of-province and international students by offering officially recognized job-training credentials.
“The new legislation announced by the province is a revolutionary revisioning of secondary and post‑secondary education in Manitoba. We are proud and excited to be at the forefront of such positive change,” said John Schubert, president, McCaine Electric Ltd., and board chair, WTC. “The legislation revitalizes our mandate and identity, and makes our facility a unique institution in the province that combines high school and college in a supportive, student‑centred environment.”
“Winnipeg Technical College is going in an exciting new direction,” said Paul Holden, president and CEO, WTC. “We look forward to continuing to work with our partners in the Pembina Trails and Louis Riel school divisions, along with new school divisions and our post-secondary partners, and we are committed to building upon our existing relationships to the benefit of students, workers and Manitoba employers.”
The proposed new mandate would allow the institute to remain flexible with business and industry partners in developing and administering training programs that are responsive to changing labour market needs and in-demand jobs. It would also allow MITT to pursue further partnerships with industry and school divisions, and allow high school students the opportunity for skills training while they are still in high school and help pave the way for a clear path towards a good job, Minister Allum said.
“Winnipeg Technical College has demonstrated great success over the past 30 years in helping students develop career paths,” added the minister. “These proposed changes will better enable the institution to provide education and training activities that assist students in finding or upgrading employment and meet the needs of employers and the changing work environment. Most importantly, students will graduate from the new Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology well‑prepared for college, university and good jobs.”
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