Niagara College’s role in driving innovation, creating jobs and training students, was featured in the House on Tuesday.
As part of its parliamentary business, St. Catharines MP Chris Bittle promoted the College’s applied research efforts and success: “Colleges play an essential role in training Canadians with the skills they need to succeed in today’s economy and in helping local businesses innovate and create new jobs,” he said.
“In the Niagara region, through the Community & College Innovation Program, small businesses partner with Niagara College’s Technology Access Centres on innovative research to help them stay competitive—expand their businesses. They also provide young Canadians with the opportunity to gain hands-on training and job experience.”
His remarks were endorsed by Hon. Kirsty Duncan (Minister of Science, Min. of Sport & Persons with Disabilities): “Our government knows that colleges are essential in driving innovation in Canada,” she said. “When I visited the Niagara region with the member from St. Catharines I heard directly from local businesses about how this investment will train students. It will also help businesses solve pressing challenges, allowing them to stay competitive, grow their businesses and create jobs.”
Last July Minister Duncan and MP Vance Badawey toured the two Tech Access Centres (TACs) at Niagara College: The Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre and the Canadian Food & Wine Institute Innovation Centre.
They met with a number of industry partners who have worked with both Innovation Centres and who spoke to the assistance they received by the student-staff research teams in helping their businesses innovate and grow.
