Fleming College suspends construction equipment technician course

Photo from the equipment journal file.

Fleming College has suspended its heavy machinery and generator engineering programs.

In April, the board of directors of the Peterborough, Ontario-based school made the decision to suspend 29 of the college’s degree programs, including the two construction-related programs.

According to the school, current students will not be affected by the program suspension. However, the college said its “priority” is to allow all students currently enrolled in one of the 29 suspended programs to complete the program.

The college cites low or no in-state enrollment as the reason for discontinuing the program. In addition, some of the affected programs are not financially viable because enrollment numbers are insufficient to cover the costs of running them.

“The suspension of the program was made due to a number of considerations, particularly related to international student government policies, enrollment, and financial sustainability,” said Chris Jardine, interim assistant vice president for marketing and advancement at Fleming College, in an email to Equipment Journal.

“We are currently conducting a confidential process with our unions under our collective bargaining agreements aimed at ensuring employment security for our staff and faculty. The College intends to respect the confidentiality of the process and cannot comment further at this time.”

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The three-semester Heavy Equipment Techniques program trains students in the overhaul, maintenance and repair of heavy equipment using the latest technology.

During the four-semester Generator Technician Program, students are taught how to install, maintain and test power generation systems up to 10,000 kilowatts.

Jamie Molloy, owner of Iron Equipment, a heavy equipment repair company based in Fraserville, Ontario, said his company has had repeated success hiring graduates of Fleming College’s heavy equipment and generator technician programs.

“Fleming College’s decision to discontinue these programs has sent shockwaves through our local business community. Not only does it jeopardize the prospects of aspiring engineers, but it also represents a serious setback for the region’s economy,” Molloy said.

“The implications of this decision are profound, impacting not only businesses like mine, but the livelihoods of countless people in our community.”