AlgonquinCollegeLogo Algonquin College - Expansion Proposal

Algonquin College is committed to doing its part to ensure Ontario has the skilled workforce for tomorrow and to keep its citizens safe and healthy. In both health and construction there is a critical need for trained professionals, which if left unattended puts the economy of Ontario and Eastern Ontario in jeopardy.

Health Professionals

Canadians have serious concerns about the sustainability of the country’s health-care system. The growing shortage of trained health professionals combined with an aging population has come together to create the perfect health-care storm.

According to the Canadian Nurses Foundation and Romanow Report, Building on Values, the Future of Health Care in Canada;

  • By 2056, seniors could account for more than ¼ of the population
  • By 2019, 50% of the nursing workforce is expected to retire
  • By 2011 it is estimated there will be a shortage of 78,000 nurses
  • By 2016, the shortage will have reached 113,000

To keep pace with attrition and population growth, studies show Canada needs to graduate at least 12,000 new nurses each year. The country currently graduates approximately 8,000.

A 2004 OECD study reported that Canada had the highest relative nursing shortage of the 6 countries examined.

The $35 million Health Sciences and Strategic Growth portion of Algonquin’s expansion proposal will address the demand for health professionals while at the same time expanding the College’s commitment to a model of health education that moves beyond primary care to include prevention, health promotion and improved mental health.

You can help turn this vision into reality by showing your support. Click HERE to learn how.

Construction Professionals

Anyone who has recently tried to hire a trades professional has seen first-hand the challenge of finding skilled and trained professionals.

An aging workforce, declining birthrates and an outdated perception that the trades represent an undesirable career option are seen as the primary factors contributing to the looming shortage of skilled trades workers across Canada. This is a contrast to the reality that trades are often high-demand, high-wage occupations.

The reality is that a skilled trades shortage not only affects the construction industry but has a direct impact on our economy, dramatically increasing the time required to complete projects and by association its cost.

A 2005 Ontario Chamber of Commerce report noted:

  • Canada is currently short between 25,000 – 60,000 workers (Canadian Construction Association).
  • By 2020, 52% of existing trades workers are expected to retire.
  • By 2020, Canada could be short one million workers (Conference Board of Canada, 2000)
  • In the next two decades, 40% of new jobs will be in the skilled trades and technologies; in 1998, that number was less than 20% (skillswork.com)

The Woodroffe expansion plan envisions a 160,000 square foot, LEED-Gold certified centre which when complete will add 600 new construction trades spaces and be a showpiece of “green” building practices and curriculum. These future employees and “green” building advocates will be taught from a renewed curriculum which places increased emphasis on collaborative learning, problem solving, learning by doing, and team study.

You can help turn this vision into reality by showing your support. Click HERE to learn how.