Georgian partners with Great Gulf to invest in sustainable skilled trades
Sept. 22, 2023
On Sept. 20, Georgian announced a multi-year partnership with Great Gulf to launch an Innovation Award Suite to help support sustainable skilled trades education. This collaboration includes scholarships and exclusive access to Great Gulf’s facilities for applied research. The $50,000 of funding will benefit 24 students who are pursuing innovation and sustainability practices.
This multi-year collaboration will include four unique additions to Georgian’s financial aid program, including: The Great Gulf Student Award in Skilled Trades, the Great Gulf Sustainability Award, the Great Gulf Award in Big Data and Artificial Intelligence, and the Great Gulf Engineering and Environmental Technology Entrance Scholarship.
Georgian is honoured to welcome this new award suite to benefit our students across seven campuses. Great Gulf understands the pressing needs in Ontario’s skilled trades sector, namely, to prepare students for growing career opportunities in this region. This is the start of a great collaboration, and we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for Great Gulf and Georgian students alike
Dr. Yael Katz, Vice President, Academic, Georgian College
Additionally, Great Gulf’s CEO, Bill Tresham, and his family have pledged to match the company’s donation to Georgian College. This partnership aims to prepare students for growing career opportunities in the skilled trades sector and promote sustainable growth in the local community and the Simcoe-Muskoka region.
This new collaboration between Great Gulf and Georgian College will encompass various initiatives, including developing next-generation talent for the sector, experiential learning opportunities for students, and exploring research collaborations. As part of the collaboration, Great Gulf is extending utilization of Bradford’s Summerlyn Active House as a living laboratory rich with applied research possibilities to help evolve people-centric, and sustainable approaches to homebuilding.
Dr. Bill Angelakos, Dean, Design and Visual Arts, Computer Studies
About Active Houses
Great Gulf introduced the groundbreaking Active House concept to select communities in Ontario. This innovative approach to building design prioritizes the well-being of both occupants and the environment, setting new standards for indoor comfort, energy efficiency, and sustainability. The Active House methodology, a part of the Brussels-based Active House Alliance, focuses on three key principles: comfort, energy, and the environment.
The Summerlyn Active House, unveiled in Bradford, exemplifies the concept. It boasts abundant natural daylight, optimized thermal climate, and healthy indoor air quality while minimizing energy consumption and carbon emissions. The house is Energy Star certified, EnerGuide rated, and net-zero ready, featuring solar panels and Tesla battery technology.
The Active House concept represents a significant shift in building design, emphasizing a better quality of life and environmental responsibility. Great Gulf’s commitment to education and sustainability underscores its dedication to creating healthier, more sustainable living spaces in Ontario.