New money for skills training

A new infusion of cash from the province will help skilled newcomers harness their skill potential at Fanshawe College.

The $640,000 investment will upgrade three ‘bridge training programs' in the London region, two of which, specifically electrical/electronics technicians and nursing, will occur at Fanshawe.

“Helping newcomers get jobs that match their qualifications and education is good for newcomers and good for our economy,” said London-Fanshawe MPP, Khalil Ramal, who made the announcement at the college on May 16.

One of the grants Fanshawe will be receiving, worth almost $183,000, will go directly towards Fanshawe's newly launched Bridging for Internationally Educated Nurses. Twenty internationally trained nurses have already registered for the program, which will help them prepare for the nursing-licensing exam.

According to the college, the nursing-specific monies will fund the program from May 2008 to September 2010 and includes clinical placements in hospitals and community settings.

The Manufacturing Sciences Division will receive just over $183,000 to establish a 15-month course for internationally trained electrical engineering or electronics graduates. The course will be 15-months long and incorporate a paid co-op work placement for students.

Fanshawe will launch the bridge-training course for electrical engineers in September for 26 full-time students.

“Fanshawe is pleased to see that the provincial government is committed to serving foreign-trained workers,” said Fanshawe VP Academic, Joy Warkentin. “Community colleges have a crucial role to play in helping immigrants earn the skills and credentials they need to fill important jobs in our economy.”

The remainder of the provincial funding will be invested in the WIL Employment Connection, which specializes in employment counseling and training in the city.