College strengthens links.

Northern College reponds to local labor demands

Northern College intends to enhance its role as a promoter of economic diversification and growth in northeastern Ontario with new courses and by increasing accessibility.

Over the past year the college has been conducting an internal review of the programs and services it offers while launching several new industry-driven programs at the same time.

"We are going to change the profile of our programs," says Michael Hill, president of. Northern College. "We want to directly relate them to our economy."

In response to the geo-graphical challenges of serving a region that stretches north to Moosonee and the James Bay coast and south to the Tri-towns area, Hill says the college is intent on increasing its electronic and distance education services so that academic needs in the North can continue to be met. At the same time, the college wants to provide relevant educational opportunities for persons who want to remain in the North.

"We think we have the solution to the talent drain. It lies in increasing training and educational opportunities. Our primary mission is to serve our community in terms of economic and social development. Our new vision will do exactly that," Hill says.

The college has a number of new recruitment markets including displaced workers - something he calls a particularly "northern phenomenon." - with part-time programs and distance education initiatives aimed at making college more accessible.

Hill says maintaining strong enrolment levels starts with selling the college to the local community.

"The tendency is to say the grass is greener somewhere else. Sometimes what's happening in your own back yard is the best," Hill says. "We've got to get that message across."

The college has embarked on a number of new private partnerships and is offering new course material geared to specific industries.

Northern College's Kirkland Lake Campus is offering two new technician diploma programs which started in September. The Timber Operations Technician and Waste Facility Management Technician (WFMT) programs are new to both the college and the province.

Both will develop, at a technician level, key skills identified by employers, in the waste management and forestry industries. The programs have been designed to support the development of future industry and economic development initiatives in the region.

Northern College is partnering with the municipality of Kirkland Lake, Rail Cycle North and Accuracy Labs Ltd. in the development and start-up costs of the new WFMT program.

The college is also now offering courses geared specifically for private industry. It is providing onsite training in management and pulp and paper making operations for Abitibi Consolidated in Iroquois Falls. As well, it recently developed a metallurgical engineering technician program for Falconbridge Ltd. employees in Timmins.

Working with the community to determine local employment and social needs remains a priority of the college, Hill says. The college is currently considering a number of co-operative ventures with local community and private interests in an attempt to further broaden its academic scope.

"We're intent on creating community learning centres... one-stop shopping for those interested," Hill says.

The college plans to open five new locations in the next five years to better serve its geographical region. The locations of the new sites are not yet known, but a number of communities are being considered, he says.