Impacting the Industry

Adapting to meet needs, Durham College serves as a training ground for all sectors of VT.

Images courtesy of Durham College

For nearly 20 years, Durham College in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, has offered its Elevating Devices Mechanic Apprenticeship program in a full-time, one-year training block. In fall 2023, the college began a series of eight-week training blocks to provide another delivery option for the industry that would allow apprentices to attend. This adaptation is one of the latest examples of how Durham College has continued to evolve to meet vertical-transportation (VT) industry needs.

Seven years ago, Durham added a two-year post-secondary diploma Mechanical Technician Elevating Devices (MTED) program that prepares students for careers through a combination of theory and practical courses. This program was adjusted three years ago to align more closely with apprenticeship training and provide a co-op work term option. “Program graduates receive an Elevating Devices Mechanic-in-Training license and safety certifications,” said Durham College Associate Dean, Faculty of Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship, Rod McLeod. “We are proud that the elevator industry is hiring our graduates because they bring industry credentials and experience.”

In April 2022, Durham College celebrated the grand opening of the Ontario Power Generation Centre for Skilled Trades and Technology. The elevating devices programs moved into a new shop within the facility, allowing it to increase its training capacity. The shop includes two elevators, one escalator, custom hydraulic valve trainers, electrical controller trainers and an assembly work area.

Currently, the college is preparing to launch a virtual Elevator Industry Fundamentals course designed to provide specific knowledge about the industry to those who are not mechanics. Sales, parts, accounting and administrative employees and managers will be able to learn about equipment and installation through this new curriculum.

Durham College is an active member of the Canadian Elevator Contractors Association. “Our participation at regional meetings and national events maintains our relationship with the industry as a premier training partner,” McLeod said. Most students are from the province and find Durham through regular college recruitment activities. “We are also welcoming more international students to the program, as there are very few elevator industry training options available,” McLeod noted.

Durham College’s post-secondary enrollment is strong across the skilled trades portfolio, including the elevating devices program, which is over-subscribed with a full cohort for each intake. To meet student interest, Durham increased program capacity by 25% in 2021 to offer 80 seats each year in the MTED program. Enrollment in the apprenticeship program has continued to grow, with Durham increasing intake by 50% over the past two years.

Some program changes necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic such as virtual classes, animations and recordings have remained. Incorporating these alternative delivery methods into courses to augment instruction is now common practice. “We are exploring remote delivery options for some courses or components,” said McLeod. “The Elevator Industry Fundamental course is being designed for virtual delivery, incorporating videos from our shop.”

McLeod says recent data indicates that more than 80% of student respondents were employed in work related to their education upon completing their program. Durham graduates are apprentices or licensed mechanics working across Canada in a variety of sectors including sales, consulting, service management and college teaching. Through its Corporate Training division, Durham College provides classroom and shop space for company training. “Our partnerships keep us connected to the needs and demands of the industry,” said McLeod. “We’re proud to work with all sectors to provide a positive impact.”