St. Clair College officials have been working overtime to secure funding for a new "National Powerline Training Centre" at their Thames Campus.
The college's Powerline Technician Program at their Chatham location has seen rapid growth from 48 students in 2011, to nearly 150 students in the last school year. To address the demand, the college hopes to build an 8,000 sq ft facility that will cost them $2-million.
"It's a good, career-job," says Chair of Academic Studies Mark Benoit. "You need individuals to make sure we all have our lights on, and our power when we need it."
St. Clair College is looking to secure $1-million in funding from the Federal Government, through their Post-Secondary Institution Strategic Investment Fund. However, the college needs to show a "commitment to funding," by raising the other $1-million before July 1.
"We'll need to raise an additional $350,000. We've already put the ask out to a number of our partners. We'll be going back later this week to solidify some of those asks," adds Benoit.
In addition to the $400,000 the college has already raised, they've also secured a $250,000 grant from the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, to be paid for over two years.
