Latest news with #KevinWeaver
CTV News
7 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Georgian College becomes province's first institution to operate Industry 5.0 sandbox
Georgian College was just awarded a $1.75 million grant over five years - funding the province's first institution to run an Industry 5.0 sandbox. 'Georgian College is at the forefront of transformative and career-focused education,' said Georgian College president and CEO, Kevin Weaver. 'Among the college's many contributions is the development of a highly skilled regional talent pipeline. This grant also speaks directly to how Georgian College is unlocking opportunities regionally, nationally and, indeed, globally - strengthening the economy and providing substantial social benefits. This is a significant milestone for the college – its students, employers and the community.' This investment appoints the school a Technology Access Centre (TAC) by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, supporting its centre of industrial simulation and prototyping. The Industry 5.0 sandbox is a space where manufacturers can test, develop, and refine new technologies in a safe, flexible environment. This project hopes to bring expert consultation, applied research partnerships, technical services and specialized training to the area. According to the college, the Industry 5.0 takes advanced technologies with human-centred designs to build smarter, more sustainable, and resilient manufacturing systems. 'This funding reflects Georgian's national leadership in applied research and our commitment to helping industry drive innovation and economic growth,' said Dr. Mira Ray, Executive Director, Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Georgian College. The goal? To help manufacturers adopt these innovations by offering digital and physical simulation, design, prototyping, and training services all under one roof. The TAC designation places the institute among a national network of colleges connecting businesses with specialized research facilities and expertise. 'The TAC designation validates our community's shared vision and gives us the tools to deliver made-in-Ontario solutions, future-proof our students, and support regional economic development,' said Laleh Khodaparast, Georgian College's director of research and innovation.
CTV News
24-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
City of Barrie infuses $7.5M into Georgian College's cutting-edge downtown hub
Georgian College rendering of a new downtown hub in Barrie, Ont., that will welcome up to 1,000 students in the fall of 2026. The City of Barrie announced it is investing $7.5 million in Georgian College's new downtown location, a move that's expected to revitalize the city's core and support economic growth. The College says the new hub will welcome up to 1,000 students and focus on high-demand programs like design, emerging technologies, and entrepreneurship. Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall made the funding announcement Tuesday while delivering his 2026 budget directions to city staff. According to the mayor, one per cent from an existing two per cent capital levy would be reallocated and used for new projects that involve partnerships between different levels of government, starting in 2027, with Georgian College as the first recipient. 'This is about ensuring taxpayers get maximum value for their dollars,' Nuttall said. Georgian College President Kevin Weaver called the downtown development a 'monumental step forward' for the institution and the community. 'Our new downtown location will offer cutting-edge facilities, strengthen our connection to the city, and provide students with immersive, real-world learning opportunities,' Weaver added. 'This is an investment in our city's future,' the mayor noted. 'Georgian's new location will be a cornerstone of downtown revitalization, attract new faces and energy, and fuel long-term growth in our downtown core.' Along with the city's investment, the College said the project would be funded through one-time capital reserves and fundraising efforts. Students are expected to fill the halls of the new hub by September 2026.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Serving the Ozarks: The Warrior's Journey
Springfield is the headquarters for a worldwide non-profit with a mission of healing the invisible wounds that often impact the men and women who serve our country. For this week's Serving the Ozarks, we're highlighting The Warrior's Journey. The efforts by local people have proved to lower veteran suicide rates, the organization provides resources to active duty troops both here in the Ozarks and around the world. Founded ten years ago, The Warrior's Journey is using camaraderie to help people and their families navigate life through years of service to our country. Through surveys, the non-profit found veterans and active duty members were not just struggling with PTSD. 'Number one issue isolation that followed by things like moral injury, identity issues,' says Co-Founder Kevin Weaver. 'We didn't want to be afraid to cover whatever it is that that person needed to find complete what we would call healing.' All services are completely free for clients. Serving the Ozarks: O'Reilly Center for Hope Since 2016, the organization has facilitated more than 3,200 direct suicide interventions—1,200 of those in the last year alone. 'There isn't 48 hours that goes by that we're not touching every single client that we serve,' adds Weaver. Those struggling are immediately paired with a 'Warrior Connector,' a military member with similar experience, volunteering their time to listen and relate. 'Come alongside the people that call us for help. They don't need to have the answers for them. They just need to be able to be an ear to sit and listen to them and say, I've been in your shoes. I know what it's like. I know some of the difficulties you're going through,' explains Brad Lewis, Director of Warrior Connections. Lewis served as a Chaplain in the Army for 25 years before retiring and joining The Warrior's Journey mission. The organization also puts a focus on navigating civilian life. Weaver says, individuals often leave active duty and feel as though they only know how to do one job. 'Many people just don't see the connection,' he says. Veteran Blake Leitch worked at the VA after serving. Serving the Ozarks: Logan Rogersville Fire Protection District 'I was told, you can't if you get out, you're not going to amount to anything. You can't do anything on the outside. I was infantry. My job was to pull the trigger. And that, you know, that gets to you.' Now working for The Warrior's Journey, he can create relationships instead of just filing paperwork. 'We help them understand that you have value and will help you find purpose,' Leitch says. 'Usually when they're leaving, they're not just submitting a claim, but we're helping them with other life issues that were discovered through that process.' The organization spans worldwide. There are The Warrior's Journey facilities in Germany that are helping hundreds of troops every day. It also just opened a center in Japan. In the U.S., there are both sites in Wichita, Kansas and Pensacola, Florida. The expansion is happening here in Springfield too. A new space on the backside of their building on North Glenstone will soon be a classroom, offering workshops on combat recovery, financial literacy, and more. The space will also serve as an extension campus of Evangel for veterans taking classes on their GI Bill. If you know of someone who could benefit from their services, or a veteran willing to volunteer, visit their website: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
