Skilled Trades Regional Training Centre Celebrating Their 1st Anniversary in Providing Valuable Training for Industry | St. Clair College
Tuesday, January 23, 2018
Dan Allen, Chair, St. Clair College Board of Governors, Michael Solcz Sr., Patricia France, President, St. Clair College, Mike Ouellette, General Manager, Skilled Trades Regional Training Centre
Left to Right: Dan Allen, Chair, St. Clair College Board of Governors, Michael Solcz Sr., Patricia France, President, St. Clair College, Mike Ouellette, General Manager, Skilled Trades Regional Training Centre.

(Windsor, Ontario) – It was just one year ago that the transitional “passing of the torch” of the Valiant Training & Development Centre to the College took effect. Since that time the St. Clair College Skilled Trades Regional Training Centre has enrolled 49 students in the 46 week program called “Earn While You Learn” in 2017-18.

“We're so pleased that we've been able to expand and enhance the innovative earn-while-you-learn model that was created by the Valiant Corporation," said St. Clair College President Patti France. "This partnership with industry exemplifies how Canada can close the skilled trades gap, while simultaneously providing young people with affordable educations that lead to rewarding and lucrative careers. We're celebrating the first year of what we're confident will be decades of service to our community provided by this Centre."

The “Earn While You Learn” certificate is a hybrid program that prepares students, in a very short period of time, to become proficient in math, blueprint reading, computer skills, safety training, and hands-on training on a wide variety of state-of-the-art equipment including CNC machines.

“These skills make our graduates highly marketable in today’s business climate,” says Mike Ouellette, General Manager of the Centre. “We have placed a significant number of students in industry, with companies that are in desperate need of skilled trades professionals. This is a training model that works.”

“We have a great relationship with industry in the community, and are able to help them create efficiencies in their organizations by completing some work for them right here in our Centre,” says Ouellette. “It’s a win-win for our students and industry.”

Ceremonial cake cutting with Michael Solcz, Mike Ouellette, Patti France and Dan Allen (behind Mr. Solcz)