College expansion underway.

• Author: Ross, Ian
• Position: Cambrian College of Applied Arts and Technology, Ontario, Canada - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

Centre designed to carry trades education into 21st century

The new millennium marks an era of expansion at Cambrian College of Applied Arts and Technology not only in physically growing its boundaries with new classroom space, but in broadening its influence and presence internationally.

From his fourth-floor office suite, college President Frank Marsh is literally overlooking construction of the institution's $25-million Superbuild project, a 10,620-square-metre addition to the trades occupations that's slated for a September ribbon-cutting. The project has allowed the college to make better use of some existing space through renovations inside the Glenn Crombie Centre.

Marsh says the biggest single expansion school history will boost the trades areas by 50 per cent in adding more classrooms and research space. The campus size will increase by 35 per cent. The provincial funding initiative was designed to meet an expected influx of about 1,240 additional students expected in 2003.

"At the end of this expansion we'll have the capability to add to the programs that we have now in a state-of-the-art facility," Marsh. says. "Along with some inside renovations to upgrade some space, we'll be on the cutting edge in serving local industry."

The main focus behind the expansion is to produce more graduates in the skilled trades, health care and the technology fields, areas which are presently experiencing a shortage of qualified people in Ontario.

The heart of the expansion is SkyTech, fully wired initiative designed to advance new technology into the trades and health sciences fields. In partnering with Inco Ltd., Falconbridge Ltd., and Domtar Inc., this facility, attached to the industrial training centre, was designed to carry trades education into the 21st century. The kaleidoscope room is its centrepiece, featuring four large projection screens with...