What's New at BC Colleges: August 15, 2012
Message from Jim Reed - President, BC Colleges
Welcome to this month’s edition of “What’s New at BC Colleges”. For many August means a quiet end to summer. Not so for BC's 11 community colleges. BC's colleges are in full swing preparing for the return of students this fall. As I reviewed this month's media from the 70 community college locations throughout BC one word kept coming to mind - new!
Our colleges are launching new collaborations - Selkirk College and the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) just signed a Memorandum of Understanding designed to enhance the educational experience for learners at both institutes.
New programs are rolling out with Langara set to become the first college in Western Canada to offer qualifications in the rapidly emerging field of bioinformatics (which involves the application of computer science and information technology principles to biology and medicine). Starting in the fall of 2012 Langara will offer an Associate of Science Degree in bioinformatics. And, a new full-sized drilling rig will be a focal point of the Simulated Well Site Training Facility that has been developed in conjunction with the Jim Kassen Industry Training Centre and the Oil and Gas Centre of Excellence at Northern Lights College.
Many colleges are updating existing programs to meet the new needs of the economy and learners. Vancouver Community College's esthetics training program is getting a makeover with the addition of its first-ever skin and body therapy certificate. And Okanagan College is making changes to their metal fabrication program to allow students to obtain the equivalent of Level 1 training in 23 weeks and revamping their Collision Repair Technician certificate program to allow students more classroom and shop time prior to getting out into industry.
Many college programs run throughout the summer which means that proud new graduates walked across the stage at the completion of their 7-week Workforce Exploration Skills Training (WEST) program at Northwest Community College School of Exploration & Mining (NWCC SEM).
While some may be enjoying the last lazy days of summer, BC's colleges are busy preparing for students in order to prepare them for their future. You can read more about these initiatives below or for a full listing of news and media from all of our member institutions, please check out 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.
Sincerely,
Jim Reed
President, BC Colleges
College welcomes students to a new school year
College of the Rockies Media Release, August 14, 2012
College of the Rockies is ready to welcome more than 2,000 new and returning students on Tuesday, September 4. Tuesday is set aside for students to orient themselves, get a locker, meet their classmates, get their student ID cards, buy textbooks and have some fun. Day and evening classes will start on Wednesday, September 5. At the Cranbrook Main Campus, Manager of Campus Life and Athletics Cori Andrichuk noted, “The day kicks off at 9:30 am with coffee and muffins in the gym, followed by a welcome and announcements, orientation and information sessions. The afternoon will be a ton of fun with a free BBQ for College students and employees featuring a live band and the must-be-seen-to-be-believed ‘Fly on the Wall’ competition where teams duct-tape one member to a wall to see who stays up the longest.” Read more.
Nicola Valley Institute of Technology and Selkirk College sign Memorandum of Understanding
Selkirk College Media Release, August 9, 2012
Selkirk College and the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding designed to enhance the educational experience for learners at the institutes through collaborative efforts that ensure learners have relevant and seamless access to support services, cultural resources, and academic pathways.The three-year agreement signed today at Selkirk College’s Castlegar campus highlights how the institutes plan to work in partnership. Read more.
Flavour: The North Island’s Gourmet Picnic
North Island College Media Release, August 2, 2012
On September 23rd, the North Island College Foundation, together with host-sponsor Coastal Black Estate Winery & Meadery and with the support of the North Vancouver Island Chefs’ Association, will present the first annual culinary festival Flavour: The North Island’s Gourmet Picnic. This foodie-focused and family-friendly event will take place during harvest time on an immaculate working farm and award winning estate winery. Chefs from some of the finest restaurants in the region, as well as some special guest chefs from out-of-region, together with our celebrated farmers, producers, brewers and vintners will gather to celebrate our local gourmet culture. Read more.
CNC Press book documents history of Lheidli T’enneh cemetery
College of New Caledonia Media Release, August 1, 2012
A new book documenting the history of the Lheidli T’enneh Nation’s sacred burial ground in Fort George Park was launched today (Wednesday, Aug. 1) at CNC. Titled “Lheidli T’enneh Cemetery, Prince George: a documented history,” the book is a study of origins and changes in that cemetery that’s been in use for about 135 years. It was authored by the late Kent Sedgwick, a former CNC geography instructor and planner for the City of Prince George. “Kent actually started research on this book in 2006 as a project for the City,” said Kathy Plett, Director of CNC Library/CNC Press. “They asked him to map out the area recognized as the Lheidli T’enneh burial ground from historical sources, and to examine how the cemetery changed over the years, particularly when Fort George Park was created in the late 1950s.” Read more.
Mosaics tell the story of 20 years of Child Care Services
Camosun College Media Release, July 26, 2012
After more than 20 years of service to the community, Camosun’s Child Care Services is a cherished extension of hundreds of families. Some of the early alumni are “grown up” parents themselves who have chosen Camosun for post secondary studies, just as their parents did a generation ago. To celebrate this history, part of the Child Care Services’ 20th anniversary activities (1990/1991–2010/2011) included creating a mosaic legacy for both campus child care facilities. The installations, facilitated by Mosaic the City, are now complete and can be viewed at the Lansdowne and Interurban centres. From design to implementation, the mosaics have been a labour of love that capture the essence of Camosun’s Child Care Services’ rich history. More than 150 people including past and current children, parents, staff and community members took part in the entire process. Items were donated from various sources including Mosaic the City, Tiletown, individuals, and the centers. Even the children in the preschool center at Interurban collected pea gravel for the paths that make up a link between three of the panels—talk about a creative use of resources! Read more.
Douglas College showcases one-stop shop for government employment services for Ridge-Meadows
Douglas College Media Release, July 12, 2012
The Training Group at Douglas College is opening a new centre in Maple Ridge today where residents of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows can access all government employment services under one roof. The expanded, centralized WorkBC Employment Services Centre, at 170-22470 Dewdney Truck Rd., brings together case management, job search, income assistance, self-employment, essential skills and other programs formerly spread throughout the community and delivered by numerous B.C. agencies. The new centre began serving clients April 2. Scott McAlpine, president of Douglas College, officially opens the new centre today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Randy Kamp, MP for Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge-Mission; Mark Dalton, MLA for Maple Ridge-Mission; Maple Ridge mayor Ernie Daykin and Pitt Meadows mayor Deb Walters all plan to attend. Read more.
Collision repair shops applaud new program gearing up at Okanagan College
Okanagan College Media Release, July 12, 2012
A new model for teaching auto collision repair at Okanagan College is getting a green light from the industry, even before classes rev up this fall. “The apprentices are going to come out better qualified right off the bat,” said Tom Watters, manager of Craftsman Collision in Kelowna. The revamped 41-week Collision Repair Technician certificate program, which launches this September, means students will receive significantly more classroom and shop time prior to getting out into industry shops to complete their apprentice hours. The program provides theoretical and practical experience in all three levels of the Collision Repair apprenticeship with training supplemented by the latest industry accepted curriculum, known as I-CAR. Students are trained in all aspects of the trade including panel repair and replacement, plastics and composites repair, scan tool diagnostics, hands-on experience with structural repair of late model vehicles, and time management techniques. Read more.
VCC's esthetics program gets a makeover
Vancouver Community College Media Release. July 10, 2012
Just like a day at the spa, VCC’s esthetics training program is getting a makeover. Starting in September, VCC will offer its first-ever skin and body therapy certificate, a program that establishes a new training standard in the British Columbia esthetics industry. VCC’s highly-trained instructors have worked extensively with spa professionals and the government to develop this career-focused program. Read more.
Expanded Simulated Well Site Training Facility to open at NLC
Northern Lights College Media Release, July 9, 2012
Students in search of safety and rig training for employment in the oil and gas industry will soon turn to Northern Lights College, thanks to generous contributions from government and industry partners.Work is underway at the College’s Fort St. John Campus to install a full-sized drilling rig. The rig will become a focal point of the Simulated Well Site Training Facility that has been developed in conjunction with the Jim Kassen Industry Training Centre/Oil and Gas Centre of Excellence. The Government of Canada, through Western Economic Diversification Canada, recently announced $930,000 in funding. “Ensuring that students have access to practical training facilities for careers within the oil and gas industry is important for our Western economy,” said Bob Zimmer, Member of Parliament for Prince George-Peace River, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification. “Our Government is working to ensure the next generation is ready to prosper from the opportunities this industry has to offer so that our region’s economy can continue to create jobs and growth.” Read more.
Celebration of Learning trumpets new WEST graduates
Northwest Community College Media Release, July 6, 2012
With the the Babine Mountains and dense forest surrounding camp providing a striking backdrop, Northwest Community College School of Exploration & Mining celebrated a fresh group of graduates primed to join the minerals industry in a ceremony at Ganokwa camp on June 19. Fitting for a program that takes place in a camp setting, the proud graduates walked across the outdoor stage in the Celebration of Learning that has come to signify the completion of the 7-week Workforce Exploration Skills Training (WEST) program at Northwest Community College School of Exploration & Mining (NWCC SEM). The morning began with a traditional welcome to friends and family of graduates from Chief Timberwolf (Mabel Forsyth) of the Wet'suwet'en Nation, followed by inspiring speeches from Chief Nam'ox (John Ridsdale), Smithers Mayor Taylor Bachrach, Smithers Exploration Group Director Christine Ogryzlo, and NWCC SEM Industry Liaison Tony Harris. "You've opened the door here," said Ogryzlo in her address, "Now you must step through it, and never stop opening doors." Read more.
Langara Launches Bioinformatics Program
Langara College Media Release, July 4, 2012
Langara is set to become the first college in Western Canada to offer qualifications in the rapidly emerging field of bioinformatics. Starting in the fall of 2012 Langara will offer an Associate of Science Degree in the discipline, which involves the application of computer science and information technology principles to biology and medicine. The two-year degree will allow for efficient transfer into third-year science programs at BC universities, and specifically into the third year of the bachelor’s degree in bioinformatics program at Simon Fraser University. The College will also be offering a two-year diploma in bioinformatics, which will prepare students for entry-level positions in the discipline. The move to offer the subject is a direct response to the continuing evolution of the study of biology in the information age. Read more.
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BC Colleges is a consortium representing BC’s 11 public, community colleges serving more than 200,000 students annually with campuses in close to 70 communities throughout British Columbia. BC’s colleges offer a comprehensive range of programs from university studies and baccalaureate degrees to career, technical and trades education. All of BC’s colleges offer programs that are designed to be accessible, affordable and responsive to the evolving needs of BC communities and industry. For more information, visit our website . |