At Fanshawe College electric-vehicle program, international rates – even for locals

Canadian students at Fanshawe College must pay international rates for a new electric vehicle technician program starting this fall, which may mean spending nearly $20,000 more than expected in tuition.

Article content

The EV program, designed to supply workers for the growing industry in Southwestern Ontario, will charge students more than $31,000 over two years when a comparable program at the school focused on aviation charges Canadian students roughly $13,000.

Article content

“Domestic students are welcome to apply and are eligible to enrol,” Fanshawe spokesperson Kyle Rooks wrote in an email to The Free Press. “However, we currently only have (Ontario) ministry approval to offer an unfunded version of the program.

“That means any domestic student who wants to join our September intake would be required to pay the full cost of the program, equivalent to what international students pay.”

The school plans to apply to Queen’s Park for funding, but that’s not good enough for one local family that’s stunned by the cost.

Article content

The Ontario government has known for several years about the growing sector, and helped fund it – and not approving the program is hurting Canadian students looking to build a career now, said Joesphine Bondi, who wants to enrol her daughter in it.

“It feels very unfair. I’ve never heard of another program where I as a Canadian pay an international student rate,” Bondi said.

The family can’t pay the higher fees. September is fast approaching and if Queen’s Park approval arrives for a future semester, it means international students who started in September will be in the job market before her daughter.

“I just want my daughter to have a career,” Bondi said.

Due to its non-approval status with the provincial government, Bondi’s daughter doesn’t qualify for grants or loans, either, such as OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program).

Article content

Bondi has reached out to Rob Flack, Elgin-Middlesex-London MPP, to lobby for his government to approve funding for the program. Flack could not be reached for comment.

Volkswagen is building a $7-billion electric vehicle battery plant in St. Thomas, set to open in 2027 and expected to employ 3,000. Stellantis is hiring now for its $5-billion EV battery plant in Windsor, expected to start production in 2025 and employing about 2,500.

Several automotive manufacturers across Ontario will supply the EV factories and more are expected to announce they will open or expand production in Ontario.

When searching for a home for its plant, Volkswagen officials met with Fanshawe College administrators, toured the school and discussed offering a program to help train future workers. London Economic Development Corp. boss Kapil Lakhotia expressed optimism the course will get provincial funding.

Article content

“I know there are a lot of eyes at the government level looking at the needs of the EV sector,” Lakhotia said. “I’m confident Fanshawe will get positive news soon.”

A recent LEDC survey found the London region will need 40,000 new workers over the next seven years in manufacturing, technology, health care and construction. Immigration and education were highlighted as crucial to filling that need.

“Skills training is paramount,” Lakhotia said.

The federal and provincial governments have offered massive subsidies to Stellantis and Volkswagen to locate their electric-vehicle facilities in Ontario – as much as $15 billion and $13 billion, respectively.

[email protected]

Article content