Georgian College has received a $500,000 grant to prepare students across Simcoe County and Bruce-Grey for careers in the fast-growing automotive electrification industry.
The funding comes from the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network's (OVIN) Regional Future Workforce Program, and is administered by the Ontario Centre of Innovation on behalf of the province, through the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, according to a Georgian College news release.
Georgian is delivering the programming in partnership with the Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) and the Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board (BGCDSB).
Starting this fall, up to 200 postsecondary students at Georgian will learn the basics of electric vehicle design using virtual reality. In addition, 1,000 students in grades 10 through 12 across the Simcoe and Bruce-Grey regions will get a chance to build awareness and knowledge of the sector.
Learning through extended reality
The program will use extended reality — which includes augmented reality and virtual reality — to teach students the basic principles of how electric vehicles operate, the benefits and challenges of EVs, and the range of career paths available in the automotive and autonomous mobility sector.
Rob Theriault, Georgian's Immersive Technology Manager, is the technical lead for the new programming.
At Georgian, we're committed to optimizing the learning environment including expanded use of immersive technology. We're grateful to the Ontario Centre of Innovation for awarding funding to our innovative project that will allow us to introduce this technology and the careers it will create to our future workforce.
The quote comes from Kevin Weaver, President and CEO of Georgian College, in the release.
The college is also working with UP360, a team of game developers, storytellers, artists and technologists focused on learning and virtual reality, along with partners that include the Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd., to build the learning experience.
Reactions from local partners
Barrie–Springwater–Oro-Medonte MPP Doug Downey said the funding will help students prepare for work in a changing sector.
Our changing markets require an education system that can help keep students at the forefront of technology. This funding will help students gain necessary tools and skills to pursue in-demand jobs within the automotive sector, and help shape the future of green vehicles.
Downey's comments appear in the Georgian College release.
We are proud at Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board to continue to work in partnership with Georgian College on this exciting and innovative learning opportunity for our students. Working in community and in partnership we are able to provide our students with connections and knowledge about emerging sectors of the economy.
Those words are from Gary O'Donnell, Director of Education at BGCDSB, in the release.
We're grateful for the opportunity to partner with Georgian College to provide this engaging experience for our students. Access to this extended reality platform will allow students the opportunity to explore various aspects of electric vehicles in hopes of sparking interest in the growing electric mobility sector.
The quote is from Theresa Watt, Technological Education Facilitator, Renewal & Sustainability at the SCDSB, in the release.
Georgian says cutting-edge learning technologies will excite, inspire and better prepare students for careers in the electric vehicle and autonomous mobility sector.
