College graduates drive Ontario's shift to a green economy

LONDON, ON, Oct. 29 /CNW/ - Ontario's colleges are helping drive the province's transition to a sustainable economy by training graduates for new "green-collar jobs" in areas such as renewable energy and waste water management, says a Colleges Ontario report released today.

The report, Colleges Driving a Sustainable Future: New Careers for a Clean Economy, says 35 new programs have been introduced provincewide in the past three years. These new programs help produce employees who are ready for innovations in everything from green business management to alternative energy engineering technology.

"The shift to a culture of sustainability will be important to Ontario's long-term success," says Linda Franklin, the president and CEO of Colleges Ontario, which released the report today. "College graduates will be instrumental in supporting the rapid introduction and expansion of green technologies."

The report, which is being provided to the Ontario government, highlights the contributions colleges make in four areas:

• Creating graduates with job-ready skills for green energy and the green economy.
• Building partnerships with green innovators.
• Providing green leadership in the community.
• Showcasing green facilities and equipment.

The announcement of the report's release was made at Fanshawe College in London.

Fanshawe College President Howard Rundle noted, "With traditional manufacturing making way for new green industries and opportunities, the jobs of the future require a new skill set.  Working closely with industry partners, colleges such as Fanshawe are uniquely positioned to provide the training and applied learning essential to support the new green economy.  " 

Laura Formusa, the president and CEO of Hydro One, is quoted in the report praising the colleges for the work they are doing to prepare graduates to operate and repair a hydro grid that must deliver energy more efficiently.

"Our experience working with these colleges has been extremely positive," Formusa says in the report. "We commend them for the enthusiasm and dedication they have demonstrated to developing meaningful programs to launch the long and successful careers for our future workers."

The report also describes a number of conservation initiatives undertaken at college campuses throughout the province. Some of the highlights include:

• A green roof recently installed at Fanshawe College.
• The $1.1-million smart house being constructed at Lambton College in Sarnia.
• The Centre for Alternative Waste Water Treatment at Fleming College in Peterborough.
• The Real Time Operating System^TM, advanced energy management initiative being implemented by Ontario's colleges.

"Environmental sustainability, energy conservation and innovation are core values of our colleges," says Franklin. "They inform our curriculum, drive our infrastructure and growth, produce partnerships with industry and create graduates with cutting-edge skills for careers in the green economy."

Colleges Ontario is the voice of Ontario's 24 public colleges. Ontario colleges serve about 200 communities throughout the province, delivering a wide range of career-focused education and training programs to more than 200,000 full-time and 300,000 part-time students.

For further information:

Sally Ritchie
Manager, Communications and Media Relations
Colleges Ontario
[phone]
[email protected]