Durham College gets more from Ontario budget

DURHAM -- A $1.5-billion Skills to Jobs Action Plan announced as part of the Ontario government’s budget will see Durham College receive more money for its investment in second careers strategy, apprenticeship training, and funding for capital renewal of equipment and facilities.
    
“We haven’t received precise dollar figures yet, but they do talk about expanding apprenticeship training,” said Durham College president Leah Myers, shortly after the budget was tabled in the Legislature. “That’s very important for the college. We’re excited about capital funding because we like to have state-of-the-art equipment.”    
   
Of particular importance to Durham College is a plan to expand its skills training centre, located on the Whitby campus, by 40,000 square feet.
   
“We’re hoping to add new energy programs and energy retrofits, too,” Ms. Myers said.
   
Students at Durham College will also be able to receive some funding assistance when purchasing textbooks -- $150 per student in 2008, $225 in 2009, and $300 in subsequent years.
   
Grants for tuition assistance around the province will increase to $18.8 billion.