Omron Canada Inc. recognized for putting technology in students’ hands at Georgian College

April 25, 2018

An important part of applied learning is having students hone their skills in the classroom using the tools they will encounter in the workforce. For more than 20 years, Omron Canada Inc. has been helping Georgian College students to learn manufacturing processes on the latest industry equipment.

Omron has donated equipment with an estimated cumulative value of several hundred thousand dollars to benefit Georgian students in electrical and mechanical engineering technology programs. The company is known globally for creating, selling and servicing fully integrated automation solutions.

Georgian recognized its long-standing partner on April 25 by naming one of its technology labs in honour of Omron.

“Employers who hire graduates from our electrical and mechanical programs are highly satisfied with our graduates’ job-related knowledge and skills,” says Bill Angelakos, Dean, Technology and Visual Arts. “We are grateful to partners like Omron Canada who help us deliver relevant curriculum using the very latest in technology.”

Omron’s most recent gift-in-kind to the college includes a contribution towards a class set of programmable logic controllers (PLCs). Students will use them to simulate assembly line production in Georgian’s electrical labs.

Omron also donated software and training for faculty to upgrade their skills on the new equipment.

Peter Brouwer, General Manager of Omron Canada, shared how engaging with future employees of the automated manufacturing sector is an important part of the company’s core values.

“We are proud to be partners with Georgian College, helping students to engage in hands-on learning of automation solutions,” says Brouwer. “The latest technologies in motion control, machine safety, HMI, vision, sensors and control components are available and can be tested together in a learning environment that simulates integrated interactions of total machine automation.”

Omron’s partnership with Georgian extends beyond the classroom as well. It is currently collaborating with the college’s Centre for Applied Research and Innovation and a food and beverage client to improve the client’s electrical and mechanical capabilities to achieve a more efficient manufacturing process.