Georgian College and Canadian Forces Base Borden are joining forces

The school can provide technical training while the forces do specific military and job specific training.

Georgian College and Canadian Forces Base Borden announcing today deeper collaboration to train more military members at the college.

Fundamentally this is about expanding the Canadian military. There’s a massive recruitment push on now as Prime Minister Mark Carney works to meet NATO defense spending targets and grow the department of national defence overall.

This new agreement means more students from the Canadian Forces getting training at Georgian College. The school can provide technical education while the forces does military training and specialized job training.

“Supporting our military in all the heavy lifting that they need to do. And right now, they’re, they’re in heavy recruitment mode. There are some space constraints, etc., and where we can help with any of that, that’s what that’s what we’re going to do” said Kevin Weaver, president and CEO, Georgian College.

They’re also looking at better ways to recognize each other’s courses and making it easier for Georgian College grads to do what they’re trained in if they join the armed forces.

This partnership is designed to allow the forces to focus on that military specific training only they can provide, allowing each to focus on what they do best.

“We’re looking at that civilian component compared to what would be a military component. And what we’re seeing is if that can be separated somehow in order to, number one, make it more proficient, but also ensure that they have a fast track. Once they get into the military,” said Lieut.-Col. Doug Ferguson, Chief of Staff of Training.

They’re also looking to make it easier for retired members of the military to have their technical training recognized by the college for course credits. This will make it easier for them to qualify for the equivalent civilian credentials once they’ve finished a military career.