Fleming College and EaRTH District Consortium to Develop Sustainable Technology Sector

Fleming College has joined a leading consortium of post-secondary institutions to help develop the region’s clean, green sustainable technology sector.  

Photo courtesy of EaRTH District, website.

The Environmental and Related Technologies Hub (EaRTH) District is made up of five institutions within the eastern GTA, including Fleming College, Trent University, The University of Toronto Scarborough, Ontario Tech University and Centennial College.  

The goal of EaRTH District is to advance green solutions to fuel sustainable communities and help combat the adverse effects of climate change through clean technology.   

“This consortium is a natural fit for Fleming College, given our research and teaching expertise in areas of the environment, conservation and sustainability in our School of the Environment and Natural Resources,” said Fleming College President Maureen Adamson. “Fleming is looking forward to working within this group to leverage that expertise and create a positive economic impact for the businesses and industries within our region.”  

Fleming’s main area of contribution will include its three world-renowned research centres.  

The Centre for Innovative Aquaculture Production (CIAP), based out of Fleming’s Frost Campus, has been a leading researcher in the investigation, analysis, and development of sustainable aquaculture production. Initially launched as a way to study the restoration of wild fish populations, CIAP is now leading applied research for both commercial and sustainable aquaculture development.  

Fleming’s Centre for Advancement in Water and Wastewater Technologies (CAWT) has been tracking and researching wastewater challenges around the globe. CAWT’s state-of-the-art analytical laboratories are equipped with an exceptional range of equipment capable of everything from microbial analyses to large, big-picture projects.  

The Centre for Advancement in Mechatronics and the Industrial Internet of Things (CAMIIT) is the leading regional hub for industrial and academic research projects. Scientists, faculty researchers, engineers and technologists at CAMIIT work in both the public and private sector to develop innovative solutions to create a smarter and more sustainable world.  

An EaRTH District study projects that the eastern GTA will generate $8.4 billion in total output, $1 billion in taxes and create more than 4,000 jobs over the next two decades.  

For more information on the EaRTH District, visit the website.

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Cabinetree Peterborough Presents $21,000 To Women in Trades and Technology Programs at Fleming College

Cabinetree Peterborough presented a cheque for $21,000 to Fleming College’s Building Bridges for Women in Trades & Technology program April 6.

photo by felicia massey.

The Building Bridges program encompasses both financial support and mentoring for women wanting a career in male-dominated sectors. Designed to address the gender gap in skilled trades, the program is a part of Fleming’s goal to double the enrolment of women in the School of Trades and Technology.  

Carpentry & Renovation Technician Semester 4 students Zoe Hopewell and Julianna Bruni have each received the scholarship from Cabinetree.  

“This scholarship has enabled me to be focused on school and not worry about working. Building Bridges had opened a lot of new opportunities,” says recipient Zoe Hopewell. “It has given me the opportunity to volunteer at Habitat for Humanity every Friday, where I have gained new experiences and knowledge and is a great addition to my resume. Thank you for you support of women in trades.” 

Cabinetree, a custom cabinet making company in Peterborough, has funded two scholarships for Carpentry & Renovation Technician students who identify as female. Cabinetree also pledged a further $14,000 over the next two years toward the Building Bridges program.  

Cabinetree dedicated an employee, cabinet maker Jessica Downes, to mentor one of the successful scholars.

“This scholarship allowed me to be able to commit my time to school without the worry of not being able to pay for my education. Which in turn, has taken a load of stress off my shoulders and for that I am so grateful,” says recipient Julianna Bruni. “It has also made an impact on me as it has shown me that people want to see me succeed and believe in me. I am so thankful for your support.”

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Innovation and Technology Showcase Returns to Fleming College April 5

Creativity, dedication and teamwork will be on full display at the Venture North building during the annual Fleming College Innovation and Technology Showcase on April 5.

photo courtesy of flemng college.

A highlight of the academic year, this event is a chance for Fleming College’s Global Business Management students to present the applied projects they have been working on. 

Twenty teams comprised of 73 students are competing in this year’s challenge with a wide array of projects.

Some projects paired students with established, external organizations. A team working with a local non-profit organization helped that organization connect with community members and increase memberships, while another team paired with a Toronto office furniture company created a marketing plan to attract new clients.  

Other projects include the creation of a parking app to help market unused parking spaces on private and commercial properties, where another project focused on identifying environmentally friendly ways to handle industrial waste.  

After an initial round of judging on April 5, 10 teams will go on to the finals taking place at Fleming College’s Sutherland Campus on May 10. Student teams are eligible for cash prizes which are sponsored by IEEE.

Other sponsors for the Innovation and Technology Showcase include Community Futures Peterborough, Peterborough and the Kawarthas Economic Development, Ashburnham Realty, Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce and the Innovation Cluster.  

The showcase is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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The Impact Of Peterborough's "Creative Class" On Local Economic Innovation & Growth

On the Gerti's patio. Photo by Evan HoltWith the arrival of spring, people shed their jackets and hats to once again take to the outdoors. In downtown Peterborough, the restaurant patios are busy, the streets are bustling, and "people watching" has returned as a seasonal pastime.

First impressions are that this is simply people enjoying the warmer weather and, perhaps, spending some of their hard earned income in anticipation of an active summer. The reality is that much more is going than meets the eye. The activities that we see are at the heart of the future of the local economy. It is from the interaction of people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives that economic innovation is begun.

Richard Florida of the Rotman School of Management, at the University of Toronto, and advisor on economic growth to the British Prime Minister, has attributed economic innovation and growth of cities to the role of the "creative class". Florida’s study of seven regions of 100,000 to 250,000 people in Ontario indicates that Peterborough is well positioned when compared to similar communities in terms of the creative class.

From rigorous measures used by Florida, Peterborough placed first in terms of its technological capacity—far ahead of Kingston and Guelph. In terms of the talent necessary to support growth, and cultural diversity and tolerance, Peterborough finished just behind Kingston and Guelph.

It is through venues where people gather together for social purposes rather than just employment that the creative class interacts. It is in places like downtown Peterborough, and the diversity of activities there that new ideas will come from interactions—planned and fortuitous.

Casual observations of the recent buzz downtown shows many young people working and gathering, and interacting with people of many ages and backgrounds. Art and music is thriving here in a way that is the envy of many other communities.

The attachment of young people to venues like those found in downtown Peterborough has positive economic consequences that are often overlooked by those who only see the activities as social, rather than economic.

The Municipal and Provincial governments are doing their part to develop the infrastructure—physical and social—necessary in supporting the activities of the creative class. Every local organization—private, public, and not-for-profit—needs to take into account the significance of supporting the creative class when making decisions that have community impacts beyond that of the organization itself.

Innovation, technologically and organizationally, is a reality even for small communities like Peterborough. It is time that we recognized the nature of economic growth in our time, practice innovation rather than just preaching it, and focus our efforts on promoting sustainable growth by nurturing the creative class.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Tom Phillips Ph. D.]

[Editor's Note: This is Tom's first column for PtboCanada.com. He is Economist & Sustainability Director - Greater Ptbo Innovation Cluster]

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