Carpentry and Renovation Techniques

Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus Is Named a DEWALT® Grow the Trades Grant Recipient

Building partnerships to support student learning experiences continues to be a priority of Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront campus. The campus has been chosen as a DEWALT® Grow the Trades Grant recipient for its commitment to providing a skills labour force by training skilled trades students.

With an estimated 500,000 open construction jobs unfilled in North America, DEWALT’s Grow the Trades Grants aim to help close the skilled labour gap by supporting nonprofit organizations that are skilling, reskilling and upskilling tradespeople. Each year, the program awards funding and tool donations as part of a larger $30 million commitment over five years to close the skilled trades gap.

The Pembroke Campus was selected as one of 166 North American organizations providing greater accessibility and resources for trades training. The grant will benefit students in the Carpentry and Renovations Techniques program and the college’s Carpenter apprenticeship program.

“We are extremely proud to be recognized as a DEWALT Grow the Trades Grant recipient. This funding will further strengthen our ability to provide high-quality education and training to our skilled trades students, helping to meet the critical labour needs of our local construction industry,” said Jamie Bramburger, Interim Dean at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus.

“This support from DEWALT means our Skilled Trades programs will be able to upgrade our tool inventory, giving students hands-on experience with the same tools they’ll be using on the job site. Think of it as ensuring our learners get their ‘tool belts’ fully stocked and their skills sharpened for the future,” shares Adam Johns, Coordinator of the Carpentry and Renovation Techniques and General Carpentry Apprenticeship programs.

“DEWALT is immensely proud to support Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus as they work to skill and reskill the tradespeople of tomorrow moving us closer to our shared goal of closing the trade skills gap,” said Allan Hawes, General Manager of Stanley Black & Decker Canada. “Funding educational programs and non-profits like the Pembroke Campus connects more people to training, resources and opportunities that will lead to successful careers in the trades.”

To learn more about the DEWALT Grow the Trades Grant, recipients and updates for the upcoming application period, please visit DEWALT Grow the Trades.

Photo of Jordan Kell, PRO Contractor Specialist, StanleyBlack&Decker; Jamie Bramburger, Interim Dean; Adam Johns, Program Coordinator; Bobbie Gormley, Business, Technology and Outdoor Training Department Chair

From left to right: Jordan Kell, PRO Contractor Specialist, Stanley Black & Decker; Jamie Bramburger, Interim Dean; Adam Johns, Program Coordinator; Bobbie Gormley, Business, Technology and Outdoor Training Department Chair

About Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus

The Pembroke Campus currently offers 20 full-time programs, serving approximately 1,000 students. The campus also delivers apprenticeship and corporate training programming as well as several employment preparation and training programs for both the Ontario and Canadian governments. For more information, visit www.algonquincollege.com/pembroke or follow the Campus on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

About DEWALT

DEWALT, a Stanley Black & Decker brand, celebrates 100 years in business by continuing to provide our customers with total jobsite and landscaping solutions. By applying its latest technology to the challenges of today’s skilled trades, DEWALT is leading the charge for the jobsite of the future and pioneering the next generation of tools, outdoor equipment and forward-looking technologies. DEWALT products. GUARANTEED TOUGH®. For more information, visit www.dewalt.ca or follow DEWALT on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

About Stanley Black & Decker

Founded in 1843 and headquartered in the USA, Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK) is a worldwide leader in Tools and Outdoor, operating manufacturing facilities globally. The Company’s approximately 50,000 diverse and high-performing employees produce innovative end-user inspired power tools, hand tools, storage, digital jobsite solutions, outdoor and lifestyle products, and engineered fasteners to support the world’s builders, tradespeople and DIYers. The Company’s world class portfolio of trusted brands includes DEWALT®, CRAFTSMAN®, STANLEY®, BLACK+DECKER®, and Cub Cadet®. To learn more visit: www.stanleyblackanddecker.com or follow Stanley Black & Decker on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.

Nothing Better Than Algonquin College Students Showcasing Their Skills

The end of a school year is always special as there are more opportunities for students to showcase what they have learned in their program at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus. In the past few days there has been a lot of talent on display and while we can’t highlight all of the great student activities that have been happening, here are a few examples of how students benefit from the practical learning experiences that the campus delivers.

Urban Forestry - Arboriculture, Tree Climbing Competition, Algonquin College, PembrokeThe Urban Forestry-Arboriculture program is relatively new to the Pembroke Campus, but it is generating a lot of interest among employers in the arborist sector. To the program’s credit, it has reached out to these employers and invited them to observe the skills the students have at their annual tree climbing competition. Watching the students navigate high above the ground in large trees, performing tasks safely and with great confidence, is so much more of an indication of their abilities compared to handing in a resume and participating in an interview. The experience is powerful for both the student and the prospective employer, and very quickly you can see the connections that are made at this competition result in job opportunities for the soon-to-be graduates.

Carpentry and RenovationsStudents in the Carpentry and Renovations Techniques program have also been catching the attention of the community for their work in renovating an older building to accommodate a transition house for homeless people in Pembroke. The century-old home needs a lot of work and the students are essentially gutting it and re-building the inside of the home, by installing new interior walls, insulation, drywall and more. It is a wonderful culminating experience that has allowed the students to pull together all of the skills they have learned over the past several months in their shop classes.

Office Administration - Executive, Changemaker Award, Algonquin College, Pembroke

One more example we will share is our Office Administration-Executive students who recently won a Changemaker Award from the College’s Board of Governors for their work in bringing awareness to social issues in Renfrew County. Each year the students work on a community project that allows them to emphasize the organizational skills they have acquired through their studies. This year they have entitled their project, Raise A Flag, an initiative that shines a spotlight on mental health. It is both a community awareness effort as well as a fundraiser for the Robbie Dean Centre in Pembroke.

As our students look forward to becoming graduates and starting their careers, these demonstrations of what they have learned in their programs remind us of why having a college in our community is so important. It changes lives and helps us build stronger communities.

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Acting Dean of the Pembroke Waterfront Campus