Touring Phase 1 of Conestoga College’s Skilled Trades Campus was a great reminder of how important it is to invest in the future of our industry.
As part of the Skilled Trades: Training for the Future event with the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, we had the chance to walk through the completed spaces and see firsthand how this campus is being built to support the next generation of skilled trades professionals. From the shop areas to the collaborative learning spaces, everything has been designed with real-world training in mind.
This is a long-term investment in students, the trades, and the future workforce our industry depends on.
While Phase 1 is already making an impact, work is now well underway on Phase 2, which is expected to open in Fall 2026. The expansion will create even more specialized training spaces and help meet the growing demand for skilled labour across Ontario. At Hewson Brothers, we’re proud to be part of that progress.
We’ve been excited to support the project by supplying a range of materials used throughout the build. The structural steel package has been supported primarily through Bailey Metals, helping form the backbone of the facility.
A variety of CertainTeed gypsum products have also been used across the project, including 5/8” GlasRoc®, Type X, GlasRoc Tile Backer, M2Tech®, M2Tech Shaftliner, and Extreme Abuse board systems. These products were selected to help deliver the durability, moisture resistance, and fire performance needed in a modern educational environment.
Rockwool insulation products, including AFB®, CavityRock®, and Rockboard® 40, are helping improve acoustic comfort, fire protection, and overall building performance. Soprema building envelope products such as SOPRA-XPS 30 and SOPRASEAL Stick 1100T are also contributing to the building’s long-term energy efficiency and protection.
Inside the campus, Armstrong Ceiling Solutions products play a major role in both performance and design. Armstrong Optima panels, Prelude XL grid systems, and drywall suspension systems have been installed throughout the facility to support acoustics and create clean, functional spaces for learning.
One of the standout design features is the wood ceiling system, which combines Armstrong Wood Ceilings with the Linear Open Series 3 system by ACGI in White Maple Plain Sliced Book Matched veneer. The finished look adds warmth and character while giving the space a modern, welcoming feel.
Projects like this show what’s possible when local businesses, educational institutions, and industry partners work together with a shared goal.
The skilled trades continue to face growing labour demands, and investments like the Conestoga Skilled Trades Campus are an important part of the solution. Giving students access to modern facilities and hands-on learning opportunities helps build confidence, develop skills, and create stronger pathways into the trades.
As a fourth-generation family business that has served this region for more than 40 years, we understand how important it is to support initiatives that strengthen the future of construction in our communities.
Seeing Phase 1 complete and Phase 2 now taking shape is something we’re incredibly proud to be part of. We’re looking forward to watching the campus continue to grow and to seeing future trades professionals build their careers in a space designed to help them succeed.
