waterfront campus

Business Education That Extends Beyond the Classroom

Hailey O'Connor, Business, Algonquin College, Pembroke CampusHailey O’Connor is a current Business student and even though she is in a compressed diploma program that is demanding, she recognized that join the Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce (UOVCC) offered an exceptional learning opportunity. “In the fall, Lorraine MacKenzie, Executive Director of the UOVCC, gave a presentation to my Introduction to Business class. During this presentation, an overview of the Chamber was given and it was announced that they would be bringing on one student from Algonquin to participate on the Board of Directors. After learning how the Chamber supports and interacts with local businesses in the Ottawa Valley, I was very interested in applying to the student position. I was extremely excited by the opportunity to network with professionals in the business community and participate in the community events that the Chamber hosts” shares O’Connor.

When asked about the importance of this community partnership, MacKenzie shares, “having a Business student representative on the UOVCC is a win-win for us. The student gets to experience what it is to sit on a Board of Directors and gives them access to local business owners/managers/entrepreneurs who can give them advice what it is like to run a business. The Chamber wins by having access to the next generation of business owners/managers/entrepreneurs. We get a perspective from someone just starting their business career. They bring new ideas and ways of thinking. Even though there is only one representative, the other students are encouraged to participate in our events as well and that exposes them to businesses as well.”

UOVCC, AGM 2019

In photo are the new Board of Directors left to right: Tara Neville, Rebecca Bittner, Hailey O’Connor (Algonquin Business Student rep), Dez Bair Patel (Vice President), Bev McCormack, Cyndi Mills, Meghan Sutherland (President) and Lorraine MacKenzie (Executive Director) Missing from photo Maria Morena Church (Past President), Kaitlin Antler (Treasurer), Heather Salovaara and Beth Matasich.

O’Connor who is new to the Pembroke Area saw that this position would be a wonderful chance to get involved and jumped at the chance to further integrate into her new community. “In January 2019, I was informed that I was the successful applicant and I would hold a seat on the Board for the upcoming 12 months. I am still new to the Chamber, however, my experience so far has been very positive. In addition to attending the Chamber meetings, I have volunteered to be a part of the Events Committee and I am excited to be involved in planning some of the Chamber’s main events, including their Annual Gala. In the upcoming weeks, we will be planning the grand opening of the of the Chamber’s new office space located at 177 Alexander St. in Pembroke. The Chamber truly advocates the interests of local businesses and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be involved and hope to contribute ideas that will help promote and encourage local businesses.”

When reflecting on what skills she is learning in her day-to-day school work that will benefit her in her new role O’Connor thoughtfully shares, “In the business program, I have taken classes in project management, business communication and marketing that I think will be valuable in this position. Project management has given me a skill set that I think will benefit me in my role on the Events Committee as it has taught me vital processes involved in planning. Being a part of the Board provides a great opportunity to learn from professionals and gain practical experience to compliment my course content. I think it is wonderful that the Chamber is open to engaging with the student population in Pembroke.”

Having community partners like the UOVCC allows our students to extend their learning in a supportive environment.

 

Hepatitis B Vaccine Now Available on Campus

The Hepatitis B vaccine that was previously on backorder is now available in Health Services on campus, Room 127, for those students who are still in need of this vaccine to either initiate or complete the series that is required for their program of study. Please contact Health Services to arrange an appointment, 613-735-4700 x2748.
A reminder that the cost of the vaccine is $50.

The Sky’s the Limit for Forestry Students

There can be a bit of a misconception when it comes to career paths for students who study forestry. Students enrolled in the Forestry Technician and Urban Forestry – Arboriculture programs at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus, soon realize that the sky’s the limit when it comes to possible career opportunities after they graduate from the program.

Griffin Kozij, Urban Forestry - Arboriculture, Algonquin College, Pembroke

Take for example Griffin Kozij’s story. Before registering in the program, Kozij had operated a successful landscaping business. Now, as a recent Urban Forestry – Arboriculture graduate, Kozij is taking the skills that he learned during the 8-month program and expanding his business.

He admittedly came into the program with a love for working in the outdoors but didn’t know much about being an arborist. He now says, “It’s all about trees. You can go into the program knowing absolutely nothing and graduate as an experienced climber.”

Kozij also has some advice for others who are unsure if they will be making the right decision if they are considering a career in forestry. “Don’t let your uncertainty hold you back. If you appreciate nature and trees it is definitely a good fit. You learn about climbing, but also about how trees and a forest in our urban environment can have such a big impact and be so important,” says Kozij.

Becoming an urban forester has allowed Kozij to expand his business and customer base. He can now offer more services and he has needed to add more team members to meet client expectations. He is much more knowledgeable and appreciative of how enrolling in a forestry program can open up doors to unexpected opportunities. “There are so many avenues that you can go into – you are not just going to be a climber – there are a hundred different paths from office work, to consultation, to forest management. You can even continue your studies.”

Julian Alvarez-Barkham, Urban Forestry - Arboriculture, Algonquin College, PembrokeLeveraging previous post-secondary education and continuing his studies is exactly what Julian Alvarez-Barkham decided to do. Also an Urban Forestry – Arboriculture graduate, Alvarez-Barkham thought he would enter the forestry workforce immediately after graduating, but had a change of heart when he discovered the Masters of Forest Conservation program offered at the University of Toronto.

Although he is not getting to climb as many trees as he did during his time at Algonquin College, Alvarez-Barkham appreciates how that practical experience helped prepare him for his university studies. “The Urban Forestry – Arboriculture program helped me develop a solid foundation in dendrology, tree assessment, soils, and urban forestry that I can build upon as I further my education. The Algonquin College faculty’s passion and enthusiasm for tree care was an incredibly important aspect of my education. Their dedication has motivated me to learn more and to keep improving. Their value to the program cannot be overstated.”

Nikki Domingo, Forestry Technician, Algonquin College, Pembroke

Photo Credit: Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

When it comes to passion for the forest and education, few programs can challenge the 50-year history of Algonquin College’s Forestry Technician program and Nikki Domingo is proof of that. Domingo graduated from the program a few years ago and says, “I wouldn’t be where I am today had it not been for the amazing schooling and networking support I received from Algonquin staff.”

This past summer, Domingo was fighting forest fires in the Pickle Lake, Ontario area. Her passion for forest firefighting was sparked during her placement in the final semester of the Forestry Technician program in 2015. She is now into her second year as a Fire Ranger Crew Boss. “My role is to apply adequate fire suppression in a safe manner while supervising the crew members.

Nikki Domingo, Forestry Technician, Algonquin College, Pembroke

Photo Credit: Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

Some of the fires can be very intense. As a crew boss, Domingo’s role includes being a “cutter.” “When the helicopter can’t land I get out in a hover exit with a swamper and fell trees to cut a helipad. Once the helipad is cut we set up a pump and start laying hose to the fire. When we reach the fires’ edge, I jump on the nozzle and we begin to suppress and wrap the fire until it’s out.”

When all three graduates were asked if they thought they would be where they are now when they started their forestry studies, all answered no. But isn’t that the point of higher education? It opens up opportunities to transform hopes and dreams into lifelong success.

If a career in the outdoors is what you are looking for, now is the perfect time to apply to our forestry programs and start on your new path this September with us.

Alumni Experience the World and Make Us Proud

It’s amazing how far Algonquin College alumni will travel to leave their mark around the world. Whether it’s their career or personal interests that spur them to do great worldly things, the College is proud of how they have taken the Algonquin brand and are sharing it with a global audience.

Naomi Fong, Algonquin College, Pembroke CampusIn recent weeks there have been several great examples of Pembroke Campus alumni showcasing their talent on the world stage. Social Service Worker graduate, Naomi Fong, captured national headlines when she won Canada’s first medal at the Invictus Games in Sydney, Australia. The military veteran competed in several sports and made it to the podium twice, earning bronze medals in the Women’s Road Cycling competitions.

Fong, who suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, was an Honours student at the college and completed her studies last spring. She served nine years in the armed forces. Preparing for and competing in the Invictus Games has given Fong a means of dealing with her illness and has also provided her with a life experience like none other. While at the Games, Fong was honoured to be the flag bearer for Team Canada, and she also had the opportunity to meet Prince Harry, founder of the games and British soccer star, David Beckham.

Alma KeuhlWhile Fong was competing in the Invictus Games, Alma Keuhl was in Turkey at the 40th World Arm Wrestling Championship. The Personal Support Worker (PSW) graduate was introduced to the sport as a young girl by her father and has competed across Canada. Keuhl had a 6th and 10th place finish, results she considers to be “Fantastic, for my first worlds,” as she took on arm wrestlers from around the globe. Now back in Canada, she is continuing her work as a PSW, sharing her arm wrestling experience with her clients, who are among her biggest fans.

Susan and Richard Schmaltz, Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus

In 2003, Practical Nursing and Early Childhood Education graduate, Susan Schmaltz, became the only Pembroke Campus alumnus to win a prestigious Premier’s Award at the annual showcase of successful Ontario college graduates. Only a handful of these awards are handed out each year. Schmaltz was recognized for her incredible humanitarian work in Guatemala where she established a charitable organization to support young children and families living in poverty.

With her husband, Richard, at her side, Schmaltz created early learning centres and schools and operated them for more than 15 years in the third world country, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to support the most vulnerable people in Guatemala. They operated these schools within a large dump in the inner city, a place of extreme poverty. Now, she has written a book entitled, “Beyond Belief.” The book is very personal, describing the author’s spiritual journey that led her to pour her heart and soul into a life-changing experience.

The world really is a small place, but how our alumni are experiencing it, is a great story to share and it’s just the tip of the iceberg. There are many more worldly stories to be told! #BeAlgonquinProud #MakeAlgonquinProud

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community & Student Affairs

Welcoming the World at the Waterfront Campus

Never in the more than 50-year history of Algonquin College has the Pembroke Campus had such an international flavour in its midst. In the fall of 2018, the campus has welcomed close to 30 international students from countries around the world. Almost three percent of the campus population of approximately 1,000 students now have international student status.

These students have arrived in Pembroke from India, China, Africa, Vietnam, Ukraine, Bangladesh, Morocco, Chile, the United States, and many other countries. One can imagine how difficult this transition can be for international students as they adjust to a new country, a small town Canadian city and a post-secondary academic setting in a foreign country. To help these students settle in, the College is providing opportunities for the students to get to know people and to experience all that Canada has to offer.Students on Ottawa River

Recently, the campus organized a social event for the students that included a pontoon boat ride on the Ottawa River. Some of the students had never been on a boat before but it didn’t take them long to appreciate the picturesque beauty of the area as they took pictures of the river, the islands and the pristine forests along the shoreline of the river. More importantly, they enjoyed each others company and bonded quickly.

Orientation is important for all new college students but essential for international students. Things that domestic students take for granted such as accessing health care or buying a proper pair of boots for winter weather are important pieces of information that need to be shared with international students. The boat ride provided an opportunity to help connect them not only with other students but also key faculty and staff who can provide support to them, whether it’s on campus or in the broader community.

Moving forward, the College will continue to teach the students about Canadian customs and culture, but the students will reciprocate International Student Orientation, Algonquin College, Pembrokethis learning experience by sharing their own culture with the college community. It’s already happening through the newly created African Students’ Alliance, a group of African students who have introduced Canadian students to African foods, music, and celebrations.

It’s been fun to watch the Waterfront Campus become a melting pot of diversity. As more international students choose to study at the campus it will enrich the learning experience of everyone who studies and works there. It’s a great example of how lifelong learning can occur both inside and outside the classroom and how education has no borders.

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs

Parents’ & Families’ Newsletter Summer Edition

Algonquin College Students

We hope that you are enjoying the warm summer evenings and taking some time to relax because the fall semester is right around the corner! Whether your student is a new first-year student at our Waterfront Campus, or a returning student eager to come back to the shores of the Ottawa River, our fall semester is going to be jam-packed with learning and community building activities!

Take a moment to have a look at our Events Calendar! It features recent activities, as well as upcoming opportunities for students and their families.

Our dedicated Parents’ and Families website features links to blogs, interesting articles written by our Student Services staff, and a calendar that notes some important upcoming dates.

Our goal is to keep you informed. While we respect the privacy of our students, the information we will provide in this newsletter will give you a good sense of what is happening on campus throughout the year and will provide you with enough information to have engaging conversations with your student.


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Advantage Week Orientation – An opportunity to start the academic year off right!

Before classes start on September 4, 2018 encourage your student to participate in their orientation activities. Orientation for full-time, first-year Fall students at the Pembroke Campus includes two important steps: Advantage Days (Step 1) and AC Day 1 (Step 2).

Both new and returning students are invited to join us for fun events and activities that will help them get to know:

  • Their new college campus
  • Their faculty and staff
  • Their new community
  • Their fellow students!

Our Orientation website is a one-stop portal to all you and your student need to know to get ready for school this fall. Be sure to explore the activities and events, FAQs, and 10 things to know about Algonquin’s Pembroke Campus too.

We also offer an orientation for parents and guardians! Learn more about these sessions >>

If your student is moving to Pembroke from out-of-town, plan on joining us for our FREE move-in day BBQ on Thursday, August 30. Register for the Move-in BBQ here >>

Before orientation, there are a few things your student should know:

  1. Reminder: Algonquin College is a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) College which means that all students are required to have a mobile computing device that meets the technical specifications outlined by their program. The program specific details can be found on our BYOD site >>. It is also recommended that students bring their computing device to their Advantage Day in order to get their technology in place.
  2. Some of our programs require placement documentation prior to the start of college for first-year students. These programs include Early Childhood Education, Personal Support Worker, Practical Nursing and Social Service Worker. The documentation requirements can be found on each of the program pages, but for convenience, we have embedded a link in the program names listed above. The documentation deadline was August 3, so a check-in might be beneficial to your student.

This information has also been shared with all students!


We might be small, but our Support Services are mighty!

Our Waterfront Campus has an extensive number of student support services that might be appropriate for your student including:

Our Student Success Specialist, Shelly Waplington, will be your student’s GPS for student services – guiding them along the path most appropriate to support their success.

A full list of our Support Services can be found here >>


International Students @ Waterfront Campus

Did you know, we have a growing international student population at our campus. Meet Mayowa who is from Nigeria and is currently studying in our Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.


5 Quick Tips to Help Your Student During Their First Month at College

  1. Keep in touch! Quick texts or phone calls to ask how things are going will help you get a feel for how they are adjusting to college life and their program of study.
  2. Know what’s happening on campus. Follow the Waterfront Campus on social media so you can have an enriched conversation with them when they call. We’re on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Flickr and SnapChat (@ACWaterfront)
  3. Send them an inspirational card, perhaps with a photo from home. Nothing says you care like a traditional card that arrives in the mail.
  4. Help them manage their budget. Managing money may be new to them, so don’t be afraid to ask how they are financially. Our Financial Aid Officers are also available to help guide students who are new to managing their own finances.
  5. Coach your student into applying for our bursaries. Registered students can apply for all bursaries administered by Algonquin College through submitting one application. We even build the application process into our Advantage Days Orientation! Here is the step-by-step on how to apply >>

Upcoming Activities That Support Transitioning To College

  1. Thrive @ AC, August 22 – August 29: This series of workshops will help you to thrive at the Pembroke Campus and be prepared for your studies. Learn more about Thrive @ AC >>
  2. The Mature Student Success Workshop is a FREE day-long workshop for students who have been away from education for a few years. Learn more about this workshop on Thursday, Aug. 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. >>
  3. Strategic Learning in the College Environment (SLICE) Conference, is a FREE summer transition program offered to individuals with disabilities entering first-year studies at Algonquin College. Learn more about the SLICE Conference on Friday, Aug. 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. >>

Encourage your student to come meet your CAL staff and learn about the support, resources, and services that are available to them as they transition to a college environment.


Dental and Health Coverage

If you have dental and health coverage for your student, your student can opt-out of the college’s insurance plan. However, this must be done within the first few weeks of classes. Withdrawing from the insurance program is easy. Your student just has to go onto the insurance plan website and complete a form. The money that was paid to the college for the insurance plan will then be reimbursed into their bank account.

Have your student visit wespeakstudent.com and complete the opt-out form.


Events on Campus

Fall Games Day

On Friday, Sept. 7 starting @ 2 p.m. Algonquin Administration, Faculty, and Staff will be ready to welcome all first-year and returning Pembroke Waterfront Campus students to the most exhilarating cross-campus orientation event – the Fall Orientation Games!

Students can wrap up their first week of studies with:

  • All kinds of sports including ultimate Frisbee, softball, mini-putt golf and more – all sports are co-ed
  • Carnival activities including buskers, cotton candy, and a free BBQ
  • 5 KM Just for Fun Walk or Run
  • Great prizes to be won including free groceries, gift cards, movie passes and much more

Students can get in on some CFL Action! Ottawa RedBlacks vs. Edmonton Eskimos, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018

Did you know our Varsity Loggersports Team has a great partnership with the Ottawa RedBlacks football team? Our varsity members and their coach attend each home game in Ottawa and put on quite the show when a touchdown is scored. Our students have an opportunity to attend Ottawa RedBlacks vs. the Edmonton Eskimos game:

  • Saturday, Sept. 22 – Bus leaves the Waterfront Campus at 1 p.m.
  • $20 ticket includes bus transportation to the game
  • Students can stop by the Students’ Association office in Room 100 during Advantage Days orientation to purchase tickets or purchase online!

Thank you for reading our newsletter for parents and families. We welcome your feedback.

Thank you for being part of your young adult’s post-secondary journey.
Jamie Bramburger
Manager of Community and Student Affairs
Algonquin College Waterfront Campus, Pembroke, ON.
PM-Parents@algonquincollege.com

From Business Student to Community Entrepreneur

Marc Lapierre, Business grad, Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus Marc Lapierre graduated from the Business program in 2003. Since then, he has been a busy man, working hard at building three different businesses. Marc shared his story with us about his journey.

Where are you currently working?

I have been working as a Financial Advisor at Frank Carroll Financial Ltd. since 2009 guiding business owners and professionals towards financial security. I also am the owner/founder of GoHuntBirds.com – a boutique media company that focuses on growing the bird hunting community in Canada. GoHuntBirds.com was founded in 2013. I also act as the business development director for Revel Marketing Agency in a mentorship role to its two founders. Revel Marketing Agency is a small start-up SEO/Media/Marketing agency in Burnstown, Ontario which was founded in 2017.

How do you feel that your program helped guide you to your current path?

I have always been interested in business. Taking the business course in my hometown of Pembroke, Ontario set me up with the foundation to what has become a career as a lifelong entrepreneur. It allowed me to stay at home while I was going to school and save up quite a bit of money while I was studying that I used to start several businesses when I graduated.

If you had to choose, what were the top 3 program-related items, activities or experiences that benefited you most during your studies?

Learning techniques in sales, strategy and marketing/advertising are three of the MANY skills I built upon at Algonquin. I still use these skills daily and always evolving them to make my business ventures better.

Why did you want to get into your chosen field?

Financial Planning was always an interest of mine. I started investing at the age of 16 and learned about the markets and insurance at a young age. I was offered a position out of college by Frank Carroll Financial Ltd. when I graduated, but I declined it to try selling Real Estate (which I never did pass the exam to do). I took a job as a courier from 2005-2009 and scratched out a pretty good living delivering parcels and running other small venture businesses on the side. In 2009, I was again offered the same position at Frank Carroll Financial Ltd. and seeing as the economy was in a recession, I thought it would be a great time to get into the financial services industry….and I was right. The thing I love about my chosen career the most besides the ability to make my own hours is helping people.

What are your next steps? What are your future goals and aspirations?

I plan to continue to grow the three businesses I have a hand in as well as add a fourth piece to the puzzle by adding some more recreational real estate to my portfolio. I’d also love to do more mentoring and perhaps some teaching to other small business owners and startups. I love the mentorship role that I have with Revel Marketing because I can actually see value in it for others.

Would you recommend the Business program to a future student thinking about taking the plunge?

YES!! I would honestly suggest EVERYONE should take this program as a foundation to whatever it is that they think they might want to do. The things that you will learn by taking a business course can translate into all aspects of life, regardless of the nature of your future employment. Anyone who is seriously considering taking the Business program at Algonquin College or even just wants to chat business is free to get a hold of me anytime at marc@fcfinancial.ca.

You Missed the February 1st Application Deadline. Now What?

Ontario Colleges aggressively promote the importance of applying to a program prior to what is known as the “equal opportunity deadline” on February 1st. It certainly is an important date in the application cycle, but if you missed it, there is a silver lining.

You can still apply to college and there’s a very strong chance you will be able to register in a program for the fall of 2018.

AC's Muskrat Lake Research Team

The reason is that colleges offer dozens of programs and with such a huge menu to choose from, only a select number of college programs fall into the category of oversubscribed. Programs in health care are a good example of highly competitive programs where the February 1st deadline is very real, and those who apply later run the risk of not being admitted into the program or ending up on a waiting list.

For many other programs, colleges review applications on a first-come, first-served basis. While seats remain open, colleges will continue to make offers of admission.

Pembroke Campus, Games Day

So the best advice is to apply sooner, rather than later. While missing the February 1st deadline won’t prevent you from attending college, the longer you procrastinate, the more difficult it will be to secure a seat in a program that you are interested in.

You can apply online through the Ontario Colleges Application Service. Your $95 application fee will allow you to choose up to five college programs, including three at any one college. Post-secondary is a great investment and the bottom line is, it’s not too late to apply.

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs

Exploring the World of Outdoor Adventure

In the fall of 2000 Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus launched one of the most innovative college programs in Canada. The Outdoor Adventure program capitalized on the growing worldwide thirst for high adventure activities and the need to train individuals to work in the industry.

Greg Arminen ice climbingFast forward 17 years and the program is known around the world as its graduates have become the program’s greatest ambassadors, sharing their story of how they found a college program that finally met their expectations for post-secondary education. Students in the program spend three days a week on campus completing business courses in topics such as risk management, accounting, finance, and marketing. The other two days are spent at Wilderness Tours Resort, Mount Pakenham ski hill or other outdoor destinations where students earn certifications in a variety of outdoor skills including swift water rescue, alpine skiing and snowboarding, rock climbing, ice climbing, mountain biking and more.

Outdoor Adventure, Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus

Students also have opportunities to participate in international expeditions, such as the group of second-year Outdoor Adventure students who recently spent a week in Iceland testing fat bike technology in a country that is struggling to deal with its overnight success as a tourism destination. That learning experience was recently highlighted by CBC Radio, giving the program some great exposure and demonstrating how innovative the program has become, in this case as a leader in testing new technologies to address sustainability concerns.

Action Sports Park Development, Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus

The introduction of the Outdoor Adventure program has resulted in several spin-off programs being created that allowed the Pembroke Campus to carve a niche as Eastern Canada’s leading outdoor education post-secondary school. Other programs that are also offered at the campus include Outdoor Adventure Naturalist, Action Sports Park Development, and Environmental Technician.

The next time you go on a big adventure, don’t be surprised if your trip guide is a graduate of Algonquin College’s cluster of outdoor adventure programs. After all, program graduates are scattered in countries around the world, because the adventure tourism industry holds no geographical boundaries. The world is truly at each student’s fingertips.

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs

More Canadians Enrolling in Post-Secondary Education-More Needed in the Skilled Trades

As a nation, Canada is one of the most educated populations in the world. New national census data indicates that more than half (54%) of Canadians between the ages of 25 and 64 had either college or university qualifications in 2016, an increase from 48.3% from a decade earlier.

It’s a trend that Canada can be proud of, but it also sends a message to young people about the importance of continuing on to higher education. The labour market is demanding it with almost all new jobs being created requiring a post-secondary credential.

Masonry - Heritage and Traditional, Algonquin College, Perth CampusA deeper look at the statistics shows that more young men are turning to the skilled trades for their career pathway. That’s encouraging because here in Renfrew County several manufacturers recently participated in a forum to work on community strategies that can help them address some of the challenges they are experiencing in attracting skilled workers. The data says that the proportion of young men who had earned an apprenticeship certificate in Canada increased from 4.9% in 2006 to 7.8% in 2016, but locally there are still more jobs than people to fill them in some trades areas.

Of course, there is plenty of room for women in the trades and initiatives to encourage women to take the pathway as well, but one of the more concerning statistics is that men are not enrolling in post-secondary education at the same rate as women. For the trades, which traditionally have attracted more men than women, that’s a call for action.

Skilled tradesAt Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus in Pembroke, there are some initiatives underway to help fill these labour market gaps. The Options Skilled Trades Fair has been offered to local high school students for the past 15 years as a grassroots effort to educate high school students on the career opportunities that are available through apprenticeship training. It has been very successful and there are plenty of stories of these students going on to trades school and becoming apprentices.

Our Campus offers full-time programs in Construction Techniques and Motive Power Technician, two important industries in the local labour market. The College also offers various pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs such as General Carpenter and welcomes feedback from local industry on their needs. In order to offer a program, a critical mass of students is required, and through partnerships with local companies, the potential is there to expand programming if a concerted community effort is made to promote the jobs that are currently difficult to fill. If that message gets out, more male and female students will be interested in enrolling in a program that can help them achieve their goal to work in the skilled trades.

Our country is getting older. The national average age has been creeping up for several years. Here in Renfrew County, the average age is over 45 years old. That statistic alone is enough evidence that we need more young people to fill the jobs that are being vacated in our workforce. Let’s start by getting more youth engaged in the skilled trades.

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs