Georgian College becomes province’s first institution to operate Industry 5.0 sandbox

Georgian College located in Barrie, Ont. (Georgian College)

Georgian College was just awarded a $1.75 million grant over five years - funding the province’s first institution to run an Industry 5.0 sandbox.

“Georgian College is at the forefront of transformative and career-focused education,” said Georgian College president and CEO, Kevin Weaver. “Among the college’s many contributions is the development of a highly skilled regional talent pipeline. This grant also speaks directly to how Georgian College is unlocking opportunities regionally, nationally and, indeed, globally - strengthening the economy and providing substantial social benefits. This is a significant milestone for the college – its students, employers and the community.”

This investment appoints the school a Technology Access Centre (TAC) by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, supporting its centre of industrial simulation and prototyping.

The Industry 5.0 sandbox is a space where manufacturers can test, develop, and refine new technologies in a safe, flexible environment. This project hopes to bring expert consultation, applied research partnerships, technical services and specialized training to the area.

According to the college, the Industry 5.0 takes advanced technologies with human-centred designs to build smarter, more sustainable, and resilient manufacturing systems.

“This funding reflects Georgian’s national leadership in applied research and our commitment to helping industry drive innovation and economic growth,” said Dr. Mira Ray, Executive Director, Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Georgian College.

The goal? To help manufacturers adopt these innovations by offering digital and physical simulation, design, prototyping, and training services all under one roof.

The TAC designation places the institute among a national network of colleges connecting businesses with specialized research facilities and expertise.

“The TAC designation validates our community’s shared vision and gives us the tools to deliver made-in-Ontario solutions, future-proof our students, and support regional economic development,” said Laleh Khodaparast, Georgian College’s director of research and innovation.