A new domestic training hub focused on hands-on education, skilled trades, and workforce development in Niagara.
Fort Erie, ON – Cappa College officially opened its new Skilled Trades Training Centre in Fort Erie with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by municipal, regional, provincial, and community representatives.
The new campus, located at 7 Tait Avenue inside the former Fort Erie Secondary School, marks an important expansion for Cappa College as it grows beyond its long-standing roots in hairstyling and esthetics to include industrial trades training for domestic students.
The event brought together local officials, industry partners, workforce organizations, and education leaders to recognize the college’s next phase of growth and its role in helping address skilled labour needs across the Niagara region.
A New Chapter for Cappa College
Founded in St. Catharines nearly 40 years ago, Cappa College has built its reputation through career-focused training in hairstyling and esthetics. The move to Fort Erie represents a broader vision for the institution: to create a practical, hands-on learning environment that connects students directly to employment opportunities.
The new training centre will support both personal services and industrial trades programming, with a focus on short, intensive programs designed to help students enter the workforce faster.
“We’re proud to reintroduce ourselves as Cappa College — a name that reflects who we are now, and more importantly, where we’re going,” said Andrew Liu, Campus Director of Cappa College. “We came here to build a better learning environment and to create a training centre that is directly connected to the needs of local employers.”
Support from Local and Provincial Leaders
The opening ceremony was attended by Fort Erie Mayor Wayne Redekop, Niagara Regional Councillor Tom Insinna, MPP Wayne Gates, Councillor George McDermott, and a representative from the office of Niagara South MP Fred Davies.
Their attendance reflected the importance of skilled trades training to Fort Erie’s economic future and to the broader Niagara workforce.
Mayor Wayne Redekop praised the investment in Fort Erie and the continued transformation of the former secondary school site into an education and training hub.
Fort Erie continues to be a hub of innovation and opportunity. Even as we face new challenges, including evolving immigration laws, we’re finding ways to adapt and thrive. With these new programs, the sky truly is the limit. It’s a fantastic location, filled with fantastic people and everyone involved with this college has proven themselves to be not only capable, but successful.
— Mayor Wayne Redekop, Town of Fort Erie
MPP Wayne Gates also spoke about the importance of trades training in a region where employers continue to rely heavily on skilled labour.
“What you’re doing is important,” Gates said, noting the need for more skilled trades workers across Fort Erie and Ontario.
Regional Councillor Tom Insinna presented Cappa College with a certificate on behalf of Niagara Regional Chair Jim Bradley, recognizing the college’s investment in local education and workforce development.
Training Built Around Employer Demand
Cappa College’s expansion into industrial trades comes at a time when employers across Niagara continue to report difficulty finding skilled workers. The college’s new programs are designed to respond directly to that need by offering short-term, hands-on training with a strong focus on practical skills.
Starting in September, Cappa College will offer programs in Welding and CNC & Toolmaking. These programs are designed with a high proportion of lab and workshop instruction, giving students the opportunity to build technical skills in a real training environment.
“Industry is constantly telling us they need talent,” said Liu. “Our goal is to help close that gap by giving students the practical skills and confidence they need to step into the workforce.”
The college is also developing pre-apprenticeship programs in plumbing and electrical, pending government approval.
Industry is constantly telling us they need talent. Our goal is to help close that gap by giving students the practical skills and confidence they need to step into the workforce. — Andrew Liu, Campus Director.
Building a Stronger Local Workforce
The initiative has already garnered strong support from across the region, with representatives from organizations such as Job Gym, Niagara Catholic District School Board, Niagara Industrial Association, South Niagara Chambers of Commerce, Workforce Collective, and YMCA of Niagara attending the launch.
For Cappa College, the Fort Erie skilled trades campus is more than a new location. It is a long-term investment in domestic education, skilled trades, and the future workforce of Niagara.
“Today is more than a ribbon-cutting,” Liu said. “It’s a statement of where we’ve been, and where we’re headed.”
