Georgian takes the lead in advanced technologies thanks to partnership with global innovator Magna International Inc.

Magna – a Canadian mobility tech company with comprehensive global presence – will make a $1 million investment in Georgian College to help bridge the skills gap, drive change in the field of mechatronics, and prepare students for industry 4.0 opportunities. The five-year, multi-faceted agreement will lead to the creation of a new, state-of-the-art facility and new scholarship opportunities for both future and current Georgian students. The partnership also includes exploration of innovative research and development opportunities, programming around co-op and post-graduate employment, and exciting new collaborations in the area of corporate training and recruitment.

A major part of the investment will be the new Magna Mechatronics Lab. When complete, this innovative space will be home to students in a variety of programs, particularly those in the new Electromechanical Engineering Technology – Mechatronics three-year advanced diploma program, starting Sept. 2021. The space will also naturally extend into joint research projects and Magna employees will benefit from new customized on-demand training. Mechatronics is the interdisciplinary study of electrical, mechanical and computing systems and there is growing demand and a scarcity of talent with this valuable knowledge and skillset. Georgian graduates will be job ready for innovative employers like Magna.

“We are extremely excited to partner with Magna, an employer of choice right here in Central Ontario,” says MaryLynn West-Moynes, President and CEO, Georgian College. “This investment underscores Magna’s commitment to help develop future-ready graduates, their own workforce as well as support research collaborations to deliver innovative solutions for the benefit of the advanced manufacturing sector. Ensuring Georgian has state-of-the-art equipment and exceptional learning spaces will prepare our students to lead when they graduate into this dynamic, evolving global industry.”

And while the new space will be a valuable addition to the Barrie Campus, both Georgian and Magna are equally excited about other holistic initiatives in the partnership to support regional growth.  Magna is focused on a collaboration that will create, sustain and ensure viability in this rapidly changing environment. Georgian’s growing eminence as Central Ontario’s hub for innovation, collaboration and commercialization along with its program diversity, current strength and emerging programmatic focus, aligns with Magna’s key goals.

The way we can stay ahead in a competitive and constantly changing world is to plan and invest in the future. At Magna we’re committed to providing students and working people with opportunities to further their education, gain new skills, and bring out the best in themselves. This is a core part of the Magna culture and we’re grateful for the opportunity to partner with Georgian College.

Magna Chief Human Resources Officer Aaron McCarthy

Through the new partnership, Georgian and Magna are united in a shared commitment to support the next generation of highly skilled workers and helping create new economic growth in Barrie, Simcoe County and beyond.