Local officials last week heralded the plans for an information technology (IT) training program that will start up in Morden this fall.
The Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology (MITT) will be offering the network and systems administrator program, and local businesses and industries had an opportunity to learn more about it and provide input at a round table last Thursday.
City of Morden representatives hope that, if this program goes over well, it could be a step towards getting more post secondary and training opportunities here.
“If the turnout and recruitment reaches the appropriate levels, they want to see this and maybe more happen here in the community,” said Jason Dyck, economic development officer for the City of Morden.
“The more we connect with these institutions … I think we’re showing the need for more post secondary education opportunities in this area,” said Mayor Nancy Penner. “I think the opportunities here are endless.”
MITT’s network and systems administrator diploma program, provides learners with comprehensive skills in information technology infrastructure design and support.
Graduates will be able to perform tasks related to networking, routing, switching, on-premises and cloud server administration as well as essential remote access, communication, and messaging technologies.
It is being offered in Morden as a pilot project. The aim is to attract a minimum of 15 and maximum of 24 students. Classroom space is being set up at Boundary Trails Place for the program to start in September.
Valley Fiber came on board to partner with the City of Morden and MITT to bring its fiber network to this project.
“Our mission is to connect people and improve lives through industry-leading technology,” said Conley Kehler, executive director of strategic partnerships.
“By aligning with Morden’s goal of developing a skilled work force that can stay local, we are committed to providing rural Manitoba students with the high-bandwidth connectivity they need to learn, thrive, and build their futures right here in the community.”
It is an initiative that has been in the works now for about three years, with a proposal having been put out to a federal economic development funding agency. That funding support came through with a grant to help with leasehold improvements and equipment purchases to set up classroom space.
There was interest from Assiniboine Community College as well as Red River College, but MITT “was determined to be the best fit for our community, and they have been amazing partners to work with,” said Dyck, who cited the example of MITT being flexible to adapt the curriculum to local needs.
There were about 50 people from area businesses at the round table last week, and all of the biggest employers in Morden were represented along with as some from Winkler as well.
“There is some real good enthusiasm from the employment community and the education community,” said Dyck. “We’ve done some surveys and some focus groups with some local businesses to learn what their needs are and to try to respond to those needs. One of the common themes was a lack of capacity in IT.”
“The need for IT in industry is growing so much … and the attendance showed how employers are looking for well trained employees, so this is something that was needed here,” Penner agreed. “This is huge … and we’re very pleased to be able to bring this to Morden and now to have classroom space for it.
“The puzzle pieces are starting to come together, and to provide more training locally is so beneficial in so many ways,” she said. ”To have training for industry to have the employees available who have this level of training is key to their growth … to have quality employees available locally lets their industries adapt and continue to grow.
“This will just be a great opportunity to not to have to travel outside of your community to get this level of training.”
