November 15, 2010

INVESTMENT IN TECHNICAL-VOCATIONAL EDUCATION YIELDS DIVIDENDS: SELINGER

An investment of $12.7 million in the Technical Vocational Initiative (TVI) introduced in 2004 is connecting students with cutting-edge technology, exciting partnerships and the potential for future successes in the high-tech sector, Premier Greg Selinger said today as he joined private- and public-sector partners and students at Sisler High School.

 

“Our government believes technology is a key economic driver of Manitoba’s future economy,” Selinger said. “Today, high-school, college and university students are able to study aeronautic design, robotics and video-game design and development in the province because they have access to industry-grade technology and equipment.  The potential for success in these high-tech industries is unlimited.”

 

The TVI works with education and training partners as well as business, industry and trade-sector councils to develop and maintain relevant and engaging technical-vocational education opportunities for Manitoba youth.

 

Partnerships with industry stakeholders, post-secondary institutions and school divisions have advanced technical-vocational education in Manitoba and increased enrolment in tech-voc programs, he said. Student participation has increased by 11.4 per cent in senior-year technology education over the last four years of the TVI. Participation in the high-school apprenticeship program has also increased by over 300 per cent over the past four years as a direct result of the support and involvement of the Technical Vocational Initiative.

 

A unique and exciting partnership between Sisler High School students and Project Whitecard, a local Winnipeg company, sees students actively involved in testing a video game for the National Aeronautics and Space Administraion (NASA), Selinger said.  The game simulates living conditions on the moon and students will test virtual realities that may be used as the basis for demonstration projects.

 

Additional projects are underway with two more high-technology gaming companies, Nightshift Interactive and Complex Games, companies that are becoming well known on an international level, he added.

 

Through the TVI, Manitoba schools and colleges have access to state-of-the-art software, which is used by leading automotive manufacturers, the aerospace industry and consumer product developers.  This education resource challenges students and teachers and promotes innovation and efficiency in product design and manufacturing, the premier said.

  

“Sisler High School is pleased that Premier Selinger chose Sisler as the school to visit, as Sisler demonstrates so well the technological possibilities and that can be exploited to propel our province’s economy into a stellar future,” said principal George Heshka.

 

“The TVI has improved high-school technical-vocational programming through the development of new standards that meet industry benchmarks,” Selinger said. “Strategies and procedures have also been developed to clearly link high-school and college programming, making it easier for students to proceed into post-secondary studies. New partnerships have been formed with universities to include advanced studies in specific areas such as video-game development.”

 

The TVI promotes innovative approaches to program delivery, particularly in rural and northern areas of the province. It also actively supports programs to develop an understanding of emerging renewable-energy technology and related skills training.

 

“This creates effective links to broader education for sustainable development and helps to ensure Manitoba is building its future workforce based on relevant technology.  Students are also able to prepare for employment in a competitive global economy,” the premier said.

 

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