Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
News Release
April 16, 2002
Collège d’Alfred gets $778,000 for new training programs
The federal government has announced that the University of Guelph’s Collège d’Alfred will receive $778,000 for new fast-track agri-food career training programs that support Ontario’s francophone communities.
“This funding is a first for the college and an important milestone for us,” said director Gilbert Héroux. “It will allow us to offer technical training, in French, for people who want to upgrade their skills for the workplace. Instead of enrolling in a full diploma program, people will be able to take short course modules through a variety of means, ranging from classroom training to on-site sessions and distance education.”
Craig Pearson, dean of the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC), said the funding for Collège d’Alfred will support OAC’s long-term commitment to French-language education. “It’s a big step towards OAC being able to offer a selection of courses in French as well as English that will address the needs of francophone clients, not only in Ontario but in other provinces and internationally as well.”
The funding, to be allocated over three years, will support the development of programs specifically geared to industry needs, in high-technology agricultural practices, food processing and environmental technologies related to the college’s Ontario Rural Wastewater Centre.
The government’s financial contribution, originating from Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) and transferred to Ontario by the Department of Canadian Heritage, is allocated under the Canada-Ontario Special Agreement for the Completion and Full Development of the French-Language Colleges in Ontario.
Don Boudria, minister of public works and government services and receiver general for Canada, who announced the funding on behalf of HRDC and Canadian Heritage, said it “will enable the only French-language agricultural college outside of Quebec to continue to provide excellent services to our agricultural community.”
Contacts:
Gilbert Héroux
Director, Collège d’Alfred
(613) 679-2218, Ext. 301
Craig Pearson
OAC Dean
(519) 824-4120, Ext. 2285
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs, (519) 824-4120,
Ext. 3338.
