OREANDA-NEWS  For more than forty years, Holland College has offered post-secondary training at its 12 campuses and delivery sites across Prince Edward Island, making it a key contributor to the provincial economy through its industry-driven programming. Bobby Morrissey, Member of Parliament for Egmont, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and Pat Murphy, MLA for District 26, on behalf of Minister Richard Brown, Workforce and Advanced Learning, today announced support for infrastructure upgrades for the Summerside Waterfront Campus and the Canadian Centre for Public Safety Excellence, as well as a new health and safety programming centre at the College’s West Prince Campus in Alberton.

The Government of Canada values the role of post-secondary institutions as they help equip young Canadians with the education and training they need for future careers that will help them join a strong, healthy middle class. Today’s investment of more than $3 million in the Holland College sites in Western Prince Edward Island will do just that by fostering the training needed to prepare for meaningful employment in the workforce

Through the Strategic Investment Fund (SIF), $1,341,392 is being provided by the Government of Canada and the Province of Prince Edward Island ($670,696 each) toward the revitalization of the Holland College Summerside Waterfront Campus. Holland College has invested an additional $49,000 in the project to address maintenance and building repair to enhance the quality of the College’s facilities and overall student experience.

The Government of Canada and the Province of Prince Edward Island are also contributing $1,342,800 to revitalize the Canadian Centre for Public Safety Excellence ($671,400 each), while Holland College has invested $49,000 in the project. The Centre, located in Slemon Park, will use this funding to rejuvenate the indoor gun range, enhance the learning and research spaces, and expand its on-site Aboriginal training opportunities.

Through the Business Development Program, ACOA is contributing $297,428 to help the College establish a new industry-focused Centre for Safety Training at the West Prince Campus in Alberton. Recognizing the importance of the West Prince Campus to students in Western Prince Edward Island, the Province provided significant funding toward the construction of the facility in 2011, and has continued its support by providing annual funding to cover the operating costs of delivering programs at the facility, including the new Centre for Safety Training.

The Centre for Safety Training will offer flexibility to students wanting to complete a one-year certificate program or a two-year diploma program. The knowledge competencies will be delivered face-to-face, as well as through distance and blended learning. Health and safety skills will be evaluated at the West Prince Campus or at a work site with a new ‘mobile unit’ which transforms the workplace into a demonstration and/or assessment site. The new training is designed to meet the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP) with graduates then being eligible to become Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (CRSPs).

“Holland College’s programs have always been responsive to the needs of local and regional employers. I am pleased to announce Government of Canada support to help the College develop and deliver its new safety training program that will increase the employability of workers, increase safety in the workplace and provide economic benefits Island-wide.”

“As a Province, we are pleased to contribute to the economic prosperity of Holland College through exciting projects like the ones we are announcing today. These investments will enhance specialized training and research, improve environmental sustainability, and heighten the student learning and training experience in Western Prince Edward Island.”

- Pat Murphy, MLA for District 26, on behalf of Minister Richard Brown, Workforce and Advanced Learning

“Holland College appreciates the continued support of the Government of Canada and the Province of PEI. The establishment of the Centre for Safety Training on the West Prince Campus will further strengthen the delivery of post-secondary education in the region. The revitalization of our Summerside Waterfront Campus and the Canadian Centre for Public Safety Excellence through this investment will improve the student experience and environmental sustainability of both locations, lead to increased employability for graduates, and help to support economic growth in PEI.”