Algonquin College highlights the power of partnership in preparing learners for the workforce
Posted on Wednesday, October 28th, 2026
Industry Appreciation Breakfast brings together regional leaders to discuss talent, innovation and collaboration
From left to right, Mark Savenkoff, Vice President, External Relations and Strategy, Algonquin College; Paul Knowles, Senior Vice President and District Manager, PCL Construction; Cameron Love, Cameron Love, President and CEO, The Ottawa Hospital; Sonya Shorey, President and CEO of Invest Ottawa, Bayview Yards and Area X.O.; Claude Brulé, President and CEO, Algonquin College; Brad Warren, Vice President, Maintenance and Engineering, Porter Airlines; Jeffrey Maddox, President, Nokia Canada.
OTTAWA, October 28, 2026 – Algonquin College welcomed leaders from industry, government and the community today for its To Journey Together: Industry Appreciation Event, recognizing the partnerships that connect learners with industry expertise, applied experience and opportunities across the region.
Strong connections between education and industry play an important role in preparing learners for their careers. They bring current create opportunities for learners to apply their skills and help the College remain responsive to evolving workforce needs.
“Our partners bring valuable expertise and perspective to the learner experience,” said Claude Brulé, President and CEO of Algonquin College. “They help us understand where industries are going, create opportunities for learners to apply their skills and strengthen the connection between education and the workplace. We are grateful for their commitment to our learners and to the communities we serve.”
A highlight of the breakfast was a panel discussion exploring how organizations can work together to create opportunities for learners, strengthen connections between education and employment and respond to a rapidly changing world.
The discussion was moderated by Sonya Shorey, President and CEO of Invest Ottawa, Bayview Yards and Area X.O., and featured Cameron Love, President and CEO, The Ottawa Hospital; Brad Warren, Vice President, Maintenance and Engineering, Porter Airlines; Paul Knowles, Senior Vice President and District Manager, PCL Construction; and Jeffrey Maddox, President, Nokia Canada.
The conversation focused on talent development, innovation and the role collaboration can play in responding to changing workforce needs across the Ottawa region and beyond.
Those connections are already reflected in learning at Algonquin College. Partnerships with organizations including The Ottawa Hospital, Nokia, AWS Canada, Porter Airlines Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces, , connect learners and programs with industry and workforce expertise across sectors including health care, technology, aviation, the skilled trades and cybersecurity.
The event also reflected the focus on partnership at the heart of Algonquin College’s Strategic Plan Màmawe pinàshkàdà, To journey, together. The Plan emphasizes stronger connections between education and employment, bringing industry expertise into the learning experience and preparing graduates for a changing economy.
“Today is about recognizing the people and organizations that make this work possible,” said Mark Savenkoff, Vice President of External Relations and Strategy at Algonquin College. “These relationships help us stay connected to what is happening across our region and open doors for learners. We are grateful for what we have accomplished together and look forward to what comes next.”
The College thanked its industry partners, businesses, alumni, public-sector colleagues and community organizations for their contributions to learners and the broader community.
Organizations interested in exploring opportunities to work with Algonquin College can learn more at the College’s partnerships page.
-30-
Media contact
Meg Fraser
Communications Officer
Algonquin College
613-302-0138
fraserm2@algonquincollege.com
About Algonquin College
The mission of Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology is to transform hopes and dreams into lifelong success. Algonquin College, an Ontario public sector community college, does this by offering hands-on, digitally connected, experiential learning in close to 170 programs. Algonquin College is the largest polytechnic institute in Eastern Ontario, with campuses in Ottawa and Pembroke, with fully online programming delivered through AC Online.
- Posted in
- News