GM launches $120 million automotive training centre

General Motors of Canada (GM) announced plans to open a $120 million automotive training centre at the University of Ontario’s Institute of Technology (UOIT), in Oshawa, Ont.

Funded by donations, GM’s Automotive Centre of Excellence will serve as a link between automotive engineers, auto suppliers and Canadian universities. When completed, GE said, the centre will house state-of-the-art research and development tools in the areas of vehicle dynamics, noise and vibration, thermal climatic wind tunnel, structural durability testing and the ability to accommodate future automotive fuels like hydrogen.

“Our vision has been to create a new advanced automotive technology cluster centered at UOIT that links together our best Canadian companies, universities, students and engineers with companies in the Canadian automotive supply chain,” said GM president Arturo Elias.

The new centre will partner with PACE, (Partners for the Advancement of Collaborative Engineering Education) and a consortium PACE contributors. PACE will provide an initial investment of more than $60 million in state-of-the-art computer-based hardware, engineering software, student and instructor training and academic support. The Ontario government is investing $58 million in the centre as part of its $235 million auto strategy investment.