Skills Ontario and Magna International Partner On Skill Development Programs

Feb 23 2017

 

Magna’s investment will support the expansion of the Skills Ontario Competition and other initiatives

 

Toronto, ON -- Skills Ontario will receive a $100,000 investment from Magna International in support of the 2017 Skills Ontario Competition, Skills Ontario Young Women’s Initiatives, and Skills Ontario Summer Camps. The investment from Magna International will help Skills Ontario accommodate a growing number of students who want to participate in the various skill development programs that the organization offers.

The Skills Ontario Competition, held on May 1-3, 2017, will now be hosted at the Toronto Congress Centre– just down the 401 from its longtime home in Waterloo. The competition’s new venue will accommodate more competitors and visitors from across the province. The central location in the GTA will make travel easier for those who travel long distances to the Skills Ontario Competition each year or fly in from Northern Ontario.

The Skills Ontario Competition has seen a 30% growth rate in the number of students registering to compete [from last year’s event]. To date, more than 3,400 students have requested competition spaces for the May 2017 competition. In addition, the annual Young Women’s Conferences has sold out again this year within minutes of registration opening.  Over two days more than 1400 young women will attend the conferences aimed at encouraging young women to consider a career in the skilled trades and technologies.

“Skills Ontario and our partners are committed to building Ontario’s skilled trades and technologies workforce,” says Gail Smyth, the Executive Director of Skills Ontario.  “The investment we receive from Magna International sends a strong message to our stakeholders and the corporate community that they believe creating a skilled, knowledgeable, and diverse workforce in the skilled trades and technologies is imperative to the economic viability of Ontario.”

“Partnering with Skills Ontario underscores our commitment to world-class manufacturing and keeping Ontario competitive in the global marketplace,” said Marc Neeb, Chief Human Resources Officer.

About Skills Ontario

We are leaders in preparing Ontario’s youth for the highly-skilled economy of tomorrow. We partner with school boards, colleges, small business, large companies, labour groups, and governments to provide opportunities for youth to explore and develop skills for successful careers in the skilled trades and technologies. With 28 years of experience, Skills Ontario is a province-wide charitable non-profit with a grassroots connection into the many communities we serve. Our programs represent a long-term investment in the lives of all Ontarians.

About Magna

We are a leading global automotive supplier with 312 manufacturing operations and 98 product development, engineering and sales centres in 29 countries. We have over 155,000 employees focused on delivering superior value to our customers through innovative products and processes, and World Class Manufacturing. We have complete vehicle engineering and contract manufacturing expertise, as well as product capabilities which include body, chassis, exterior, seating, powertrain, electronic, active driver assistance, vision, closure and roof systems. Our common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (MG) and the New York Stock Exchange (MGA). For further information about Magna, visit our website at www.magna.com. 

Media contacts

Anne Ramsay
Manager of Communications, Skills Ontario
519-749-9899 x 230 | aramsay@skillsontario.com

Tracy Fuerst
Global Director of Corporate Communications and PR
248-631-5396 | Tracy.fuerst@magna.com

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