Month: March 2022

Message from the President – Strike Averted

Posted on Friday, March 18th, 2022

 

Dear Colleagues and Learners,

I am pleased to announce that The College Employer Council and OPSEU/SEFPO have reached an agreement to enter binding interest arbitration, and that the strike that was scheduled to commence at 12:01am on Friday March 18, 2022, is called off. This also includes all work-to-rule activities.

I am grateful to all those who contributed to this resolution. Our entire College community – every employee and learner – has made many sacrifices during the last two years, and we have overcome many obstacles together. The news of this agreement is another example of the commitment we all share for providing quality education for our learners.

Please see the full joint statement from The College Employer Council and OPSEU/SEFPO at this link.

Sincerely,

Claude Brulé

President and CEO

A Message from the President, March 16, 2022

Posted on Wednesday, March 16th, 2022

Dear Colleagues and Learners,

Given recent changes to Provincial guidelines on COVID-19 restrictions, I want to provide an update on the College’s requirements going forward.

  • The College’s active screening requirements at campus entry points will remain in place until at least the end of the Winter term.
  • All those required to attend our campuses in-person must wear a mask until at least the end of the Winter term.
  • Any changes to our policy will be communicated directly with employees and learners.

A reminder, that with consideration for the ongoing health and safety of those required to attend our campuses – and in line with Ontario’s 24 Colleges – Algonquin College is maintaining its vaccine policy until at least the end of 2022 Winter term.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to the health, safety and wellbeing of our college community, and please stay safe.

Sincerely,

Claude Brulé
President and CEO

Investing in the next generation of talent: Syntax Strategic creates new award for students at Algonquin College

Posted on Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022

OTTAWA – (March 2, 2022) – Syntax Strategic, a marketing, public affairs, and government relations firm, has announced a five-year $50,000 award in partnership with Algonquin College. The goal of this award is to create a pipeline of talent from programs such as communications, marketing, and design and cast the broadest net possible with preference going to Black, Indigenous, (and) People of Colour (BIPOC) students to encourage more diversity in the public relations field. The Syntax Strategic Award will be awarded annually to two students in their final year of studies. Each student will receive $5,000 plus a paid summer internship opportunity.

This new award comes in the wake of companies publicly struggling to find talent and diverse candidates due to the mass exodus of people from the workforce due to COVID-19. CEO and founder of Syntax Strategic Jennifer Stewart decided it was time for a fresh approach to finding new talent and ideas: “If we want diversity in agencies, we need to invest in it. We can no longer sit back and hope that the right candidate with the right skills and background falls into our laps. We are building the future workforce we need, and we hope other businesses do the same.”

Algonquin College has more than 50 years of experience educating, training, upskilling and reskilling students and workers for the careers of today and tomorrow. The College works with employers to understand their staffing needs, challenges, and timelines – and prepare workers with the right skills at the right time.

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Message from the President – March 1, 2022

Posted on Tuesday, March 1st, 2022

Dear Colleagues and Learners,

With careful consideration for the ongoing health and safety of those required to attend our campuses – and in line with Ontario’s 24 Colleges – Algonquin College will be maintaining its vaccine policy until at least the end of Winter term 2022. This includes maintaining our proof of vaccination requirement.

This decision comes after thorough discussions with local public health officials and the Chief Medical Officer of Health over the past week. As the Province lifted capacity limits in all remaining indoor public settings and discontinued vaccine passports as of March 1, it also provided businesses and other settings the choice to continue to require proof of vaccination.

Until further notice, our vaccination policy will remain unchanged – this includes providing proof of vaccination (two approved doses) or a valid exemption (as set out in our policy) and continued screening before being permitted entrance to our campuses. Masks also continue to be required until further notice. Please see this link for details on our policy and its requirements.

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