SCARBOROUGH - The Ernie Eves government is investing $90 million over four years to improve technological education in Ontario, Deputy Premier and Minister of Education Elizabeth Witmer announced today. The funding will be used to purchase new equipment such as construction framing tools, automotive hoists and food preparation devices.

Joining Minister Witmer to make the announcement was Simcoe North MPP Garfield Dunlop. As Parliamentary Assistant to the former Minister of Education, Dunlop consulted extensively on technical and vocational training with key stakeholders from industry and education in early 2002. The new four-year initiative responds directly to recommendations from Dunlop"s consultations.

"As a licensed plumber, I've always maintained a keen interest in the skilled trades," said Dunlop. "I can't think of a better road to success than helping young people move into the workforce, whether it's through university, college, or apprenticeship."

The announcement was held in the automotive shop at Scarborough's Jean Vanier Catholic Secondary School in the presence of students, staff and stakeholders. Following the announcement, Minister Witmer and Dunlop toured the school"s technical training facilities.

An estimated 300,000 students annually will benefit from the Eves government's technological education renewal initiative. School boards will be informed later this month of their allocations under the first year of the initiative.

In the 2003 Ontario Budget, the Eves government announced a four-year, $90 million technological education renewal initiative that will:

* help refurbish and update the equipment required to offer specialized programs for students in school-to-work transition programs;
* enable school boards to develop partnerships with employers to ensure that specialized programs meet the needs of the workplace; and
* help teachers receive focused training to ensure they are well-prepared to teach the new technological and vocational curriculum.

"We are putting more resources and equipment in our schools so students learn using the latest tools and technology and are ready for the demands of the 21st century workplace," said Witmer. "Our government strongly believes in province-wide access to leading-edge apprenticeship and workplace preparation programs."

Contacts:
Garfield Dunlop
(705) 327-4500 (cell)

Julie Kwiecinski
(416) 325-6176