By Cathy Dobson, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
A 40-year-old welding shop at Lambton College is getting a major overhaul thanks to a $400,000 donation from Imperial Oil, college officials announced Tuesday.
The money will help students train in an updated and safer environment and local industries will benefit from a more skilled workforce, said Imperial Oil’s Sarnia refinery plant manager.
“We believe supporting the technical skills of our young people is important to the economic growth of our community,” Peter Vandenborne told a news conference.
The company’s competitive advantage is partially determined by the skill level of its employees, said Paul Sabatini, Sarnia chemical plant manager. In the last four years, 216 students Lambton College students have been hired to work at Imperial Oil’s Sarnia, Nanticoke and Alberta sites.
“We’re strong believers in giving back to the communities where we operate and we’re delighted that our funding will be used to make a difference to young people and their education,” said Sabatini who is a board member of the college’s foundation.
In addition to upgrading and expanding the original 1969 welding shop, the $400,000 will pay for three new lab volt machine trainers and improvements to the First Nations’ Student Centre and support services.
Students trained in the welding shop including those in chemical production and power engineering technology (CEPET), mechanical technician industrial maintenance and several apprenticeship programs.
“This is a very, very exciting upgrade,” said Brian Beaubien, the college’s welding professor. “It’s my hope that after the refurbishment we can offer pressure vessel welding (TSSA) certification.”
That’s an area of general skills shortage and one increasingly in demand in petrochemical plants, nuclear facilities, the mining industry, ship building and fabrication.
Beaubien said some of Imperial’s money will be spent on a video system that will allow students to learn from seeing themselves in action.
Andy Brandt, chairman of the Lambton College Foundation, said local industry and the college make a point of meeting one another’s needs.
“It’s critical that the college educates a workforce that exceeds that of our competitors,” Brandt said.
Lambton College and the corporate world have a “symbiotic” relationship,” added President Tony Hanlon.
“It’s absolutely vital that the private sector assists colleges to acquire capital. Donations of cash and in-kind equipment go a long way to helping Lambton College keep up with technology.”
Copyright © 2010 The Sarnia Observer
Observer Article ID# 2522562