Picture of hot guys. In leather

In metal inert gas (MIG) welding, a spool of solid steel wire is fed through a contact tip in the MIG gun. The contact tip is hot, or electrically charged. So are job prospects for people who know how to use it.

In metal inert gas (MIG) welding, a spool of solid steel wire is fed through a contact tip in the MIG gun.

The contact tip is hot, or electrically charged.

So are job prospects for people who know how to use it.

"We just had interviews at Tenaris Algoma Tubes," says Julien Langelier (shown second from left). "And now it looks like Essar Steel Algoma may want to scoop us up."

Langelier and his fellow students in Sault College's mechanical engineering technician program have a few weeks left of class before they officially graduate from the two-year program.

They get to spend their remaining school time playing with brand new MIG welders, thanks to the Province of Ontario and FedNor.

Today at Sault College, MPP David Orazietti announced $2,617,348 in funding for infrastructure and equipment upgrades at Sault College.

Part of that money went to pay for the lovely new Lincoln Electric Power MIGs the guys are so happy to be using.

Some of it also went to pay for a new press brake for the welding shop.

In addition, the college used the cash to help start up two new programs in response to needs expressed by local industry.

Metal fabrication technician and welding techniques started this January and will be taking new students again in September.

Metal fabrication technician is a two-year college diploma program and welding techniques is a one-year certificate program.

The full text of the news release from David Orazietti's office follows.

************************ Orazietti announces $2,617,348 for infrastructure and equipment upgrades to Sault College

McGuinty Government’s investments in post-secondary education preparing students for next generation of jobs

SAULT STE. MARIE – The provincial government is providing funding for Sault College that is being used for capital development costs associated with completing Phase 1 of the campus redevelopment project.

Funding is also being allocated for upgrades to teaching equipment and machinery as well as to help provide for increased enrolment at Sault College and Algoma University, David Orazietti, MPP announced today.

"Our government recognizes that by investing in post-secondary education, we are also strengthening our economy by creating local jobs and ensuring students can learn in modern, state-of-the-art facilities," said Orazietti. "Investing in new infrastructure and improving teaching equipment and facilities helps our schools increase enrolment and prepares our students for the next generation jobs."

Today's announcement is comprised of funding from the Ministry of Northern Development Mines and Forestry (MNDMF), through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) and the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU).

- Under the NOHFC's infrastructure and community development program, Sault College is receiving $1 million in additional funding to help complete phase one of the campus redevelopment project, which includes the construction of a new academic wing.

- The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities is investing $861,800 from Ontario's College Equipment and Renewal Fund for a variety of specialized equipment and machinery for use in labs and classrooms, such as hydraulic press brakes, physiotherapy tools and power transmission gearboxes.

Sault College and Algoma University are also receiving additional combined funding of $995,862 under the Open Ontario Plan, which is helping to build a highly skilled and educated workforce.

The schools can use the funding to help pay for costs associated with increasing enrolment numbers in Sault Ste. Marie:

- Sault College is receiving $755,548

- Algoma University is receiving $240,314

This brings the total funding announced today for both local post-secondary institutions to $2,857,662.

For the present school year Sault College has hired eight full-time equivalent positions and upon the completion of the new academic building is expected to hire 18 additional full-time equivalent positions.

Enrollment at Sault College is expected to grow from approximately 1,900 students to 2,600 students by the fall of 2011.

“At Sault College we have experienced significant growth this year in our enrolment and it is therefore necessary that we make advances to improving our ageing infrastructure. As a result of this generous contribution we can look forward to continued growth and success. The funds will also ensure that Sault College students continue to train on the most modern resources and equipment available thus making our graduates even more desirable in the workforce. We wish to express our sincere gratitude to our MPP David Orazietti, the government of Ontario and NOHFC for contributing to the transformation of Sault College,” said Dr. Ron Common, president, Sault College.

Additionally, the provincial government committed to investing $310 million in the recent budget to add 20,000 new spaces in colleges and universities in September 2010.

Since 2003 the McGuinty government has created over 120,000 new spaces in Ontario colleges and universities.

This investment is in addition to providing $155 million in 2009-10 to fully support enrolment growth at colleges and universities, including $65 million announced through the Ontario economic outlook and fiscal review.

Key McGuinty government initiatives to support Sault College include:

- Building nurse practitioner clinic.

- $8 million for academic building at Sault College.

- $7.1 million for facility renewal, improvements and modernization.

- $1.9 million for apprenticeship programs.

- $1.6 million to hire more instructors and increase student resources.

- $1 million for IT infrastructure.

- $974,873 in new, base program funding.

- $750,000 multi-media centre.

- $495,040 for nursing program to purchase clinical simulation equipment.

- $327,332 for endowment fund - Ontario Trust program.

- $309,984 direct investment in services for students with disabilities.