With the generous support of the County of
Simcoe ($1.5 million) and Gene Haas Foundation
($1 million), we're expanding our skilled trades
facilities in Barrie.
The result will be 70,000+ square feet of hands-on,
industry-relevant learning spaces that 1,000+
students can access each year. A 82,000-pound
structural bridge (the equivalent of 137 Grizzly
Bears) was lifted into place in spring 2026, marking
a significant milestone in the project made possible
through early investments of additional partners
and supporters.
This expansion will increase our overall capacity
and complement programming offered at our
Robbert Hartog Midland Campus and Owen Sound
Campus. These facilities support training for some
of the trades projected to be in most demand by
2030, including construction, electrician, plumber,
welder and gas technician.
Beyond training our graduates, we connect them
to opportunities like:
• Skills Ontario Competition – our students
brought home four gold medals in 2026
and in 2024; one went on to the World
Skills Competition.
• Prestigious Schulich Builder Scholarship – a
perfect example of how strategic philanthropic
investment is attracting and supporting top
talent in the skilled trades, helping develop the
next generation of workers needed to
strengthen Canada's economy and address
ongoing skilled labour shortages.
Expansion to
meet demands
05 / SKILLED TRADES
"
Seeing Georgian and the community continue to invest in spaces like
skilled trade is so important. It's helping prepare the next generation
of skilled trades professionals right here in our region."
Annette Atkinson
Cabinetmaking Techniques student
and recipient of Schulich Builder Scholarship
20 GeorgianCollege.ca
