St. Clair College has been provided with a provincial grant to help the school encourage youth engagement in science, math, and technology.
The Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) has awarded the college a $500,000 grant to create a Regional Future Workforce Program, which will be designed to get more children and young adults interested in careers involving the so-called STEM disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
St. Clair's Senior Vice-President of Academic and College Operations, Waseem Habash, said having the program in an area dependent on the automotive industry was a no-brainer.
"All the constituent groups are so excited about this partnership that future synergies are already being explored to help enhance STEM training," said Habash in a media release. "Providing a venue for post-secondary students to engage with K-12 learners in a hands-on training environment creates opportunities for mentorship and the ability of all learners to acquire prudent STEM knowledge in a relaxed and fun atmosphere."
The money will be used to purchase 500 robots for use in the community by about 1,000 students, with curricula on automation, programming, coding, and electric-vehicle powertrain.
The college is collaborating with Invest WindsorEssex, WEtech Alliance, Centerline (Windsor) Limited, FIRST Robotics Canada, and Women's Enterprise Skills Training (WEST) of Windsor.
"STEM skills are the fuel that drives innovation, economic growth, and technological advancements, and by investing in and nurturing our region's STEM talent, we can position Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent as a hub of excellence, opportunity, and prosperity," said WEtech Alliance President and CEO Yvonne Pilon.
Among the school boards working with St. Clair College on this program are the Greater Essex County District School Board, the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board, the Lambton-Kent District School Board, and the St. Clair Catholic District School Board.
The OVIN funds were awarded to the college, but the pilot program will be delivered with the expertise of the St. Clair College School of Engineering Technologies and the University of Windsor Faculty of Education.