A select number of secondary school and adult education students will soon have the opportunity at Kemptville Campus to receive focused training for careers in high-demand skilled trades, Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MPP Steve Clark announced today.
On behalf of Labour, Training and Skills Development Minister Monte McNaughton, Minister Clark announced the Kemptville Campus Education and Community Centre has been given approval to provide Level 1 foundational training in the following trades:
- Truck and Coach Technician
- Heavy Duty Technician
- Agricultural Technician
The province is providing funding to allow the Campus to offer approximately 20 seats in the programs, said Clark, who was joined at the announcement by North Grenville Mayor Nancy Peckford and representatives from the region’s four school boards.
“This announcement represents a significant evolution in the role that Kemptville Campus will play in the education and economic development sectors in our region,” said Board Chair and Mayor Nancy Peckford.
"We’ve been working closely with Minister Clark’s office and would like to recognize the province’s commitment to advancing this goal. Deputy Mayor Jim McManaman and I want to also sincerely thank all four school boards for their collaboration and enthusiasm to work together on this initiative. With strong relationships – and the support of industry partners – we will once again be able to deliver much needed skills training to our youth from Eastern Ontario right here in at Kemptville Campus," added Peckford.
Kemptville Campus has been delivering educational programs for over 100 years. The last trades training courses were delivered in 2016. The Municipality of North Grenville purchased the Campus from the province in 2018 with a mandate that includes promoting innovation and business incubation, and sustaining and growing opportunities for agricultural education.
“Today is another big step forward in the revitalization of the Kemptville Campus. I’m so pleased that our government has recognized the need to give students from Eastern Ontario the opportunity to train for a career in the trades close to home – as they have done here for generations,” said Clark.
“I want to thank Mayor Peckford and the Municipality of North Grenville for their advocacy to deliver these important programs and to Minister McNaughton for his support. This is not only great news for students looking to chart a path in a rewarding career, but for local employers desperate for skilled workers.”
The programs are scheduled to begin in September 2021 under the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) and will be offered in both official languages.