NEWS RELEASE
GEORGIAN COLLEGE
*************************
Georgian College’s second annual Impact Report takes a tour through the innovative, meaningful differences it has made across central Ontario in the last year — from unique programs that support labour-market needs and economic development in local communities and industries, to initiatives that champion changemaking, sustainability and a sense of belonging.
Released on Wednesday, the report — Innovation for a Strong Future — contains highlights from the previous academic year, celebrates all Georgian has achieved, and reiterates the college’s deep commitment to students, alumni and its seven campus communities.
“Georgian’s people, programs and partnerships are essential to strengthening our economy, addressing critical workplace shortages, solving complex local and global challenges, and ultimately ensuring a strong and sustainable future. What drives us is an innovative spirit, relentless creativity and a desire to lead meaningful change,” said Kevin Weaver, president and CEO, Georgian College.
In the report, Georgian illustrates how it continues to innovate for a future-focused workforce and collaborate to solve complex challenges, such as by launching a registered practical nurse-to-registered nurse bridge program to meet health care shortages and introducing 17 new programs to meet local labour-market needs.
The report shines a light on how the college has deepened its commitments to sustainability, changemaking and belonging through various initiatives designed to address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. These include a new Changemaker Workplace designation with the Barrie Chamber of Commerce for small- to medium-sized businesses to connect employers and students who share like-minded values, and a motorcycle pilot program with Elizabeth Fry Society Simcoe Muskoka to support youth facing barriers to post-secondary education or meaningful employment. These initiatives not only demonstrate Georgian’s dedication to sustainability but also inspire hope for a more inclusive and sustainable future.
Georgian is deeply grateful to its partners and donors for their invaluable contributions to the college’s growth, success and the positive impact made throughout central Ontario and beyond. Their support has been instrumental in our journey, and Georgian’s proud to share these collective achievements with them.
Impact Report highlights:
- Georgian’s total economic impact in the region is $1.7 billion, a figure that underscores the significant role the college plays in the local economy.
- Georgian’s presence supports one out of every 15 jobs in the region, demonstrating its substantial contribution to employment and economic stability in central Ontario.
- In the last year, Georgian reached a significant milestone of more than 100,000 alumni in the college’s 56-year history.
- Georgian announced up to 800 students will study at an iconic location starting in 2025 — directly across from city hall in Barrie City Centre. This strategic move not only offers a convenient and vibrant learning environment but also contributes to the revitalization of the downtown area. Georgian will offer a hub of creative programming in areas such as design, visual arts and emerging innovative technologies, as well as services designed to animate the neighbourhood in a new way.
- As a leader in immersive learning and thanks to donor and government funding, Georgian transformed 15,000 square feet in the Sadlon Centre for Health, Wellness and Sciences. This renovation included 10-plus labs and learning spaces, significant upgrades in equipment, introducing HAL S5301 — the world’s most advanced interdisciplinary patient simulator — and welcoming the Brand Family 360° Interdisciplinary Simulation Space. Surfaces in the simulation space respond to touch, and the sounds, smells and props provide a powerful learning experience for students facing similar scenarios in their placements and careers.
- More than 30 students from cross-disciplinary programs collaborated to retrofit a 1972 VW Westfalia into an electric vehicle using off-the-shelf technology. This project not only provided students with hands-on experience in sustainable technology but also showcased the potential of converting older vehicles into cleaner and more efficient ones that can help reduce carbon emissions in the transportation sector. It is a testament to Georgian’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.
- Georgian graduates maintain an impressive employment rate of 90.3 per cent across our seven campuses — surpassing the provincial average of 85.8 per cent for the last 25 years.
- Philanthropy and partnerships continue to drive the college forward. Over the past year, 54 new awards, scholarships and bursaries were established through donor generosity. As part of this growth, 10 Georgian students received game-changing scholarships from the Schulich Foundation to combat the shortage of skilled trades professionals and amplify the importance of the sector.
*************************
