Premier Dalton McGuinty this week unloaded $9.2 million in provincial funding for Mohawk College's Transportation Center at its Stoney Creek campus.

"This will secure Mohawk's place in the future," said Mr. McGuinty. "Mohawk is a world leader in co-op education and with 91 per cent of your graduates finding employment within six months, that is a tremendous success."

The Transportation Centre will house new equipment, labs, and a shop that will accommodate up to three full-size tractor trailers.

The centre is part of Mohawk College's STARRT Institute that is under construction. The Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Research Resources and Training Institute is a $32 million addition that will add new classrooms and labs to the facility. Construction has been delayed from last year, but officials say it is now moving forward. The official opening of the centre is September 2009.

The province already provided $5 million for the institute's construction. Phase one of the construction also includes renovations to the student services area, improve counselling, the bookstore, and library.

Once completed, the facility is expected to increase enrollment in skilled trade programs at the College to 870 students per year. It will also increase the apprenticeship opportunities in the region by more than 3,500 students a year.

The premier earlier this year gave Mohawk and McMaster University $16.5 million to expand their joint technology program to improve skilled trades training.

Mr. McGuinty said the province needs to replace the expected retirement of nearly half of Ontario's skilled labour force over the next 15 years.

"We need automotive workers to design and build the next generation of cars, woodworkers to help craft furniture and homes," he said.

But NDP MPP Paul Miller, who attended the event although he was not officially invited, said the skilled workers need good jobs in Hamilton to remain here.

"We have a lot of skilled people with no jobs, in Hamilton," said Mr. Miller. "Another concern is whether the people will remain in Ontario. Are we going to spend our money training people and leaving for other provinces? It is not their fault, they can't find a job."

Over the last year the Hamilton and Ontario manufacturing sectors have been pulverized by a slowing economy, high dollar, and higher energy costs.

It has resulted in job losses at area automotive plants and Hamilton's steel and manufacturing facilities, said Mr. Miller.

"I hope the premier can attract new manufacturing to Hamilton and areas like Hamilton because we have a skilled force ready and willing to work," he said.