Provincial funds will enable OETIO to purchase equipment

OAKVILLE, ON, April 6, 2016 /CNW/ - Mike Gallagher, business manager of Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers, says a provincial grant of close to $1.3 million for the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario (OETIO) will enable it to buy more cranes and heavy equipment and train apprentices for the future.

"I am pleased that the Ontario government continues to recognize the value of apprenticeship training programs that are delivered to our industry and supported by the OETIO," he said, "because our union is training the workforce of the future to the benefit of the provincial economy."

The funds were announced by Peterborough MPP Jeff Leal during a visit to the OETIO campus in Morrisburg on Monday, April 4. The money will come from the Apprenticeship Enhancement Fund and Pre-Apprenticeship Training programs. The funds will be for OETIO campuses in Oakville and Morrisburg.

The Apprenticeship Enhancement Fund (AEF) enables approved Training Delivery Agents that deliver apprenticeship programs to acquire state-of-the-art equipment and update their facilities.

The $1.3 million investment includes funding for the OETIO to buy four excavators and two dozers for the training campus in Morrisburg. They will be used in three heavy equipment apprenticeship-training programs. A tower crane will also be purchased for the OETIO campus in Oakville. The new tower crane will have leading-edge technology which will enable apprentices in the OETIO programs to gain experience in top- and bottom-climbing procedures.

The OETIO will also receive funds to help train youth, new Canadians and Aboriginal people to become heavy equipment operators of tractor-loader-backhoes, excavators, haul trucks and dozers, trade skills that are in high demand in the region.

Gallagher said the OETIO provides high-quality training on state-of-the-art equipment and the funds will enable it to grow its fleet to keep up with the demands of the construction industry. The OETIO offers training on tower and mobile cranes, heavy equipment, concrete pumps and drill rigs.

"Apprentices will be able to develop the skills they need to find work and help build this province," he said. "It is vitally important that we continue to train the next generation of trades. By investing in the OETIO, the government is contributing to the future growth and prosperity of Ontario."

OETIO executive director Harold McBride said the funds are important to the training institutes because equipment technology has changed drastically over the past 15 years and the OETIO wants to ensure students are trained on equipment that is current and being used in the field.

"This announcement shows that the Ontario government has confidence in our training institute. The funds will go a long way to ensuring our fleet of equipment at the OETIO is up to date."

Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers represents more than 14,000 highly skilled crane and heavy equipment operators across Ontario. The union has a head office, banquet hall and training campus in Oakville, and another training campus in Morrisburg.

SOURCE International Union Of Operating Engineers - Local 793

Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher, 905-469-9299, ext. 2202