Ontario Construction News staff writer
Humber Polytechnic has unveiled its newly expanded Centre for Skilled Trades and Technology, a vital initiative aimed at addressing Ontario’s increasing demand for skilled workers. The facility is part of a broader effort to tackle Canada’s productivity crisis, offering industry-relevant training in key sectors.
The $9.5 million expansion, which adds 16,000 square feet, will create 500 new training opportunities in skilled trades across various programs, including apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and post-secondary levels. With Ontario heavily investing in infrastructure projects—ranging from transit systems to housing—this initiative aims to cultivate a workforce equipped to meet those challenges.
“At Humber Polytechnic, we’re committed to addressing our country’s productivity crisis while helping students bridge their brilliant dreams with careers that are in high demand. Our mission is to equip graduates with the right skills and experience to build lifelong employability in a workforce that’s constantly evolving,” said Ann Marie Vaughan, President and CEO of Humber Polytechnic. “With the expansion of the Centre for Skilled Trades and Technology, we are preparing the next generation of skilled workers to drive Ontario’s economy forward. Skilled trades professionals are the backbone of our economy, and we’re proud to offer facilities to ensure they receive the highest level of training.”
Funding for the expansion includes $2.16 million from Humber’s capital priorities fund, along with over $1 million from Ontario’s Apprenticeship Capital Grant, which has provided nearly $6 million in total to support skilled trades education in the province.
Located at 110 Carrier Drive, adjacent to Humber’s North campus, the expanded centre features specialized labs for industrial woodworking, heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning (HRAC), as well as a cutting-edge AR/VR/XR simulation studio. A new 10,000-square-foot woodworking lab, repurposed from a former furniture manufacturing plant, will prepare students for careers in carpentry and industrial woodworking.
“The expansion of Humber Polytechnic’s skilled trades programs is a major step forward for students pursuing opportunities in the skilled trades. This expanded campus will help young people in Ontario find better jobs with bigger pay cheques and help our province develop the highly skilled workforce that will attract investments and build the roads, highways, schools, hospitals, and other critical infrastructure that are essential to our growing communities,” stated The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario.
“Congratulations to Humber Polytechnic on expanding this state-of-the-art facility that will help learners gain the hands-on skills they need to join one of Ontario’s most in-demand workforces,” said MPP Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges and Universities. “By providing the latest learning tools and equipment and creating 500 new skilled trades training opportunities, Humber Polytechnic is developing the talent we need to build Ontario and connecting students to meaningful careers.”