Welcome to this month’s edition of “What's New at BC Colleges”.  I’m happy to report that summer has finally arrived in BC.   I hope you get a chance to take a break and enjoy the many activities our province has to offer.

Traditionally, summer is a time to slow down and relax but this doesn’t seem to be the case for our 11 member colleges.  In fact, colleges throughout the province are ramping up for a busy fall semester.   Each year BC’s colleges review the needs and requirements of business, industry, local communities and, of course, students to determine what new programs are needed.  This process has been especially challenging in the past few years as the economic downturn has meant an increase in college enrolment coupled with flat budgets.  Additionally, the types of programs required have evolved as more people look to colleges for re-training.  I’m very pleased with how our colleges have met these challenges. 

BC’s colleges continue to develop programs to meet the province’s changing market needs on a region-by-region basis and to prepare British Columbians for the jobs of the future. 

In this month's newsletter you will read about a number of new programs including, Northwest Community College’s program designed to capitalize on the untapped potential of tourism via their new Coastal Eco-Adventure Tourism Program.  Starting in September 2010 at NWCC’s Terrace Campus, the program will provide valuable education and training for students interested in a career in tourism and help northwestern BC adapt to a changing economy.

Congratulations to Camosun College, one of the recipients for funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).  This funding is part of the PromoScience funding aimed at inspiring young people to choose careers in science and engineering.  Camosun will receive $18,000 in each of three years to develop a pilot program known as ANCEStor (Aboriginal youth awareNess of ComputEr Science.) ANCEStor teaches the concepts of computer programming by engaging Aboriginal youth in cultural story-telling. 

Our colleges are always looking for interesting ways to partner with other organizations to expand programming. A great example of this is the partnership between The Canadian Forces (CF) and North Island College to provide accreditation for the Industrial Automation Technician program.  In this program NIC students are eligible to receive a salary with full benefits while they study.  Plus, Industrial Automation Technician graduates can gain advanced standing as a Naval Electronics Technician or a Naval Weapons Technician through the Canadian Forces.

These are just a few of the many examples of how BC’s colleges are working to develop excellent programs to educate and train British Columbians for the jobs of today and tomorrow.  I hope you will have a chance to review  the all of the news highlights from our member colleges.  Click here to read the complete "What's New at BC Colleges" newsletter and a full listing of news and media releases can be found on our website at “In the News”.

We welcome your feedback and would be happy to hear from you.  Please feel free to e-mail us at whatsnew@bccolleges.ca.