Toronto, Ontario (PRWEB) September 04, 2013 -- Herzing College announced today that it has acquired the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Institute (PAT Institute), a leading provider of training for skilled trades in the construction industry, including electricians, plumbers, HVAC engineers, maintenance workers and network cabling technicians. The PAT Institute has two 10,000 sq. ft. locations in Toronto and Cambridge, Ontario, each of which contains a two-story mock building inside to provide students with real-world training for their future careers.
“We are proud to welcome the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Institute into the Herzing Educational System and we feel they will be a great fit due to their alignment with our career-focused, convenient and caring culture,” said Renée Herzing, president of the Herzing Educational System. “The PAT Institute is a leader in quality and innovation in training professionals in the skilled construction trades, and we are excited to work with them to help reduce the chronic shortage of skilled tradesmen in Canada and provide great career opportunities to our students.”
The Construction Sector Council (recently rebranded as BuildForce Canada) projects that between 2013 and 2020, the industry will need 250,000 new workers, and the PAT Institute is a key component in helping to train those new workers in Ontario. To help meet this need, Canada’s Economic Action Plan specifically provides the Canada Job Grant for up to 130,000 people per year to receive up to $15,000 for training, with $5,000 coming from the federal government and the remainder coming from provinces and employers. The federal government is also working to expand apprenticeship opportunities as part of this plan.
Herzing has named Emidio D’Alfonso as the new Campus Director for the PAT Institute. He previously served as Academic Dean of Herzing College – Toronto since 2007. “I am looking forward to the opportunities that lie ahead in helping to meet the huge demand for skilled trade workers in Ontario. Given the PAT Institute’s great reputation in the industry for providing high quality, skilled trades training, I expect that we will be able to expand our services and make an even bigger impact in the future for both our graduates and the companies they work for in the future.”
Founded in 2006, the PAT Institute graduates 250 – 300 students per year who find employment very quickly upon completion of their programs. It is a recognized training facility for the Merit OpenShop Contractors Association of Ontario and has a strong relationship with the Christian Labour Association of Canada.
“I am extremely proud to be part of such a reputable organization, and I’m excited for the PAT Institute to become the Construction and Skilled Trades division of Herzing College,” said Rui Cunha, Director of Operations for the PAT Institute. Cunha is the former owner, and he will continue in his new role to help the organization grow. The PAT Institute will continue to employ 39 people under the new ownership. The Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities has approved the acquisition.
About Pre-Apprenticeship Training Institute
Pre-Apprenticeship Training Institute (PAT Institute) is a leading provider of training for skilled trades in the construction industry, including electricians, plumbers, HVAC engineers, maintenance workers and network cabling technicians. Founded in 2006, the Institute serves students at its Toronto and Cambridge, Ontario, locations and has graduated more than 3,000 students since its inception. More information about the Institute can be found at: http://patinstitute.ca/index.php/.
About Herzing College
Herzing College encompasses four campuses located in Ottawa and Toronto, Ontario; Montreal, Quebec; and Winnipeg, Manitoba. Herzing College is part of the Herzing Educational System, which also encompasses 11 campuses and Herzing University – Online in the United States. Founded in Canada in 1968, Herzing College serves approximately 1,500 students per year, offering career-focused, convenient, and caring education for diplomas in the fields of technology, business, healthcare, design and public safety. All Herzing College locations in Canada are approved by provincial authorities, which review the approvals annually. The Toronto, Ottawa, and Winnipeg campuses are also accredited by the Canadian Education and Training Accreditation Commission. More information about Herzing College is available at: http://www.herzing.ca.
Tracy Shilobrit, StrateVantage Communications, LLC, http://www.stratevantage.com, 262.825.2613, [email protected]
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