New $2.75-million-plus investment in training and technology aims to meet growing demand for automation, robotics and advanced manufacturing skills
Assiniboine College has officially opened the new home of its Mechatronics Engineering Technology program, unveiling the facility as the Price Mechatronics Centre in recognition of Dr. Gerry and Barb Price and their longstanding commitment to manufacturing innovation and education.
The new centre is designed to prepare students for careers in Manitoba’s rapidly evolving manufacturing, processing and food development sectors, where automation, robotics and advanced control systems are increasingly critical.
“Our Mechatronics program is designed to meet the needs of rapidly evolving industries,” said Assiniboine College President Mark Frison. “The Price Mechatronics Centre is an integral part of equipping students with the skills needed for modern manufacturing and automation.”
The facility features three specialized learning environments: a mechatronics lab, an electronics and programmable logic controller (PLC) lab, and a robotics and process control lab. Each space is equipped with industry-standard technology, providing students with hands-on experience using the same systems found in today’s industrial workplaces.
The naming of the centre recognizes a $500,000 contribution from Dr. Gerry and Barb Price through Price Industries, a Manitoba-based leader in mechanical engineering technologies and industrial manufacturing. The investment supports student success and the continued growth of the mechatronics program.
“World-class manufacturing today requires automation, process control and robotics skills that were not commonplace many years ago,” said Gerry Price. “We are happy to support Assiniboine College in helping develop the manufacturing engineers of the future.”
The project also received $2.25 million in federal funding through Prairies Economic Development Canada.
Launched in September 2025, the Mechatronics Engineering Technology program welcomed its first cohort into the dedicated facility this fall, with both first- and second-year students now training in the new space.
Federal and provincial officials say the centre will help address growing workforce demands by producing skilled graduates ready to support Manitoba’s increasingly technology-driven economy.
