Equipment upgrades and building improvements, including more classrooms where students have the option of attending in-person, tuning in remotely, or watching a recording later, are coming to Lambton College with a $2.2-million provincial investment, the college’s president says.
Rob Kardas said the college is “extremely grateful” for a facilities and equipment renewal funding announcement earlier this month.
“It’s just going to help us continue to build on the excellent career-focused programs and support in preparing graduates to really come out of COVID strong,” he said.
The funding was included in the provincial 2021-22 budget, and part of $583 million overall earmarked for the college system over three years, ending in 2024, Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities officials said.
“While the intention of announcing three years of funding was to provide some predictability to institutions regarding their annual (Facilities Renewal Program) and (College Equipment and Renewal Fund) funding, we’re not able to confirm Lambton College’s exact 2022-23 or 2023 -24 allocation at this time,” ministry officials said in an email via Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey’s office.
“We hope to have that information available soon.”
Billed by the government as funding to “modernize post-secondary infrastructure,” money is going to new props like towers and buildings for fire training at Lambton’s fire school, new photography equipment, new treadmills, state-of-the-art diabetic simulation monitors for paramedic and nursing students, replacement chemistry equipment, an emergency power generator, entrance lighting, camera improvements, a rooftop HVAC unit, accessibility renovations to a college testing centre, and more HyFlex classrooms that give students more options about how to attend class, Kardas said.
“It’s going to allow us to upgrade technologically speaking classrooms,” he said.
College equipment renewal funding in recent years has been more in the neighborhood of $200,000, he said, noting there’s also a competitive aspect now where colleges can write in to apply for extra funding.
“This support will ensure students at Lambton College have access to modern instructional equipment to meet business and industry standards, increase student access to micro-credentials and enhance the overall student experience,” Bailey said in a press release.
“By investing in post-secondary infrastructure, we are not only supporting our local economy, but ensuring students get the skills needed for the in-demand jobs of today and tomorrow.”