Posted on Wednesday, July 27th, 2016
It’s in the DNA of colleges to be partners with business. Since their inception in 1967, Ontario’s publicly funded colleges have had a primary focus to prepare students to fill the workforce needs of the province’s employers. They’ve done this by staying connected to industry to ensure the curriculum being taught to students is relevant and by building a huge network of partnerships with employers that allow students to gain on-the-job training while in school.
Now, a provincial panel looking into what Ontario needs to do to keep its workforce competitive has made several key recommendations. The Premier’s Highly Skilled Workforce Panel was chaired by former Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP Sean Conway, who calls the panel’s work, “A matter of urgent and pressing priority driven by changing demographics and evidence that the future net growth of Ontario’s labour force will be provided through immigration.”
Here are the six key overarching recommendations made by the panel:
- Building stronger partnerships between educators and employers by establishing a new Planning and Partnership Table, supported by a new Workforce Planning and Development Office within government. Employers, educators, labour, government and others would work through this table to drive solutions for skills and talent development, and for experiential learning. And Industry Tables would address mismatches between the skills that industries need and what the workplace offers
- Increasing access to job market information by working with the federal government to help lead the creation of a national system to give employers and job-seekers better access to information such as where jobs exist and which skills employers will need in the future
- Expanding opportunities for learning by experience by funding more placements so that every student completes at least one experiential learning opportunity before graduating from high school, and another before finishing college or university
- Promoting both traditional and non-traditional career paths by increasing students’ exposure to options including the arts, science, engineering, technology, skilled trades and entrepreneurship
- Investing in human capital by launching programs to support training in the workplace and encouraging large employers to share successful training programs with small and medium-sized enterprises
- Closing gaps in skills and competencies by finding ways to teach and recognize the skills that students learn, such as teamwork, problem solving and entrepreneurial spirit, and by developing training programs for groups underrepresented in the workplace to allow them better access to employment opportunities.
While preparing its report, the panel visited several Ontario communities and spoke with dozens of stakeholders about the most pressing workforce needs. One of those visits was at Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus in Pembroke where more than 25 local business and education leaders provided feedback from a rural Ontario perspective.
The benefits of building a strategy to integrate retiring military personnel into the civilian workforce was an idea that surfaced at the Pembroke session and found its way into the report. There was also a lot of discussion about the need for more support to guidance counsellors to help student transitions from high schools to post-secondary and the ongoing need to have timely data on labour market trends and opportunities. These ideas also garnered attention in the report.
During a news conference announcing the panel’s findings, Premier Kathleen Wynne stated, “The panel’s recommendations will not stay on a dusty shelf,” and Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development, Deb Matthews, called the report “An aspirational document that provides a framework to build a truly integrated partnership that links the education system with businesses.”
There is no question that Colleges will continue to be an integral part of the government’s plans to address its workforce challenges, but the report clearly states that there is still work to do, such as the expansion of co-operative education placements for more college students.
In the final analysis, the recommendations are intended to help Ontario prosper and they place business-education partnerships at the centre of the plan. That’s good for colleges and even better for students and employers.
Read the full Building the Workforce of Tomorrow: A Shared Responsibility report >>
Read more reaction to the Panel’s Recommendations:
Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs
Posted on Saturday, July 9th, 2016
It’s true that most college bound students have their plans in place for this fall, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to apply to a college program. In fact, every summer there is a small panic among hundreds of students who are frantically trying to get everything in place to enroll in college.
So, why do they leave it so late? In many cases it is circumstances, but more frequently they are dealing with a stomach pit of uncertainly of what lies ahead. Many applicants are simply worried they won’t be accepted into college or they won’t be successful.
One of the great things about today’s college system is that there are plenty of supports to help students succeed, and that support starts before they actually begin their classroom studies. Through the admissions process there will be helping hands from staff who work in counselling, registration, student recruitment and financial aid.
Whether it’s taking a campus tour, having transcripts reviewed to determine whether an applicant has the necessary pre-requisites for a program, or learning about student loans and grants, a summer applicant can quickly get the answers they need to make an informed decision.
While many college programs will now be closed or wait-listed because all of the seats have been filled, there are still dozens of programs that have availability. For example, programs like Business, Office Administration-Executive, Construction Techniques and Environmental Technician at Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus remain open to applicants.
There’s no question that having a post-secondary credential has become paramount to a person’s ability to progress in the workplace. Increasingly, employers are asking for a minimum of a college certificate or diploma as a starting point to be considered for a job posting. That reality is the primary factor that drives a person’s decision to enroll in a college program.
Colleges have always been accessible to people of all ages and educational backgrounds. Whether it’s a student coming directly from high school, a university graduate who is enrolling in college to strengthen their practical skills within their field of study, or a laid off middle age worker who is training for a new career, there are plenty of options available to students.
So, if you’ve been procrastinating about applying to college, you’re not alone. Hundreds of would-be college students are struggling with the same decision this summer. The good news is, it’s not too late!
If you would like more information you can also register for our upcoming Discovery Evening on Thursday, August 4 @ 6:30 p.m.
Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs at Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus.
Posted on Tuesday, June 21st, 2016
Jason Blaine continues to pay it forward. The Canadian Country Recording Artist and high profile Algonquin College Business program alumnus recently held his annual concert and golf tournament in Pembroke, raising a record $80,000 for local organizations in his home town.
Now into its third year, the charity has brought in a whopping $205,000, money that has supported great local causes such as the Pembroke and Area Boys and Girls Club, the capital campaign for Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus and Mental Health First Aid training for not-for-profit organizations.
With Dallas Smith and Jason McCoy of The Roadhammers in town for the event, Blaine and “A Few Good Friends” put on a great performance at the Pembroke Memorial Centre, while also allowing themselves to be auctioned off for the following days’ golf tournament. The live auction alone brought in $30,000 and set the tone for the fundraiser which has become a signature summer social event in the city.
More than 600 people attended the concert which is intended to be an intimate night with the stars, where fans can mingle and have their photos taken with the artists, while enjoying some of the top performers in Canada’s country music industry. Pembroke native Ben Rutz, the lead fiddler in the Johnny Reid band, the Western Swing Authority and “up and coming,” the River Town Saints also took the stage.
The following morning, with only a few hours sleep, Blaine was up early to appear on the CTV Ottawa Live Morning Show to talk about his charity and to say thank you to the dozens of businesses, organizations and individuals who have supported him over the years. He then capped his day by playing a round of golf with more than 160 others before unveiling how much the event had raised.
While very few Algonquin College alumni have the profile that Jason Blaine does, we know that many are giving back to their community in special ways. We’re proud of all of our graduates and hope that Jason Blaine’s act of kindness is an inspiration. Blaine may live in Nashville, but his heart is in Pembroke and with his alma mater.
Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs
Posted on Sunday, May 29th, 2016
For most senior college students their educational journey is coming to an end. They have completed their academic studies and are beginning their job search. Getting that first job is important. In fact, it needs to be the priority, but pausing to celebrate all that they have accomplished is also important. Unfortunately, too many community college graduates don’t attend their convocation ceremony.
So the question is why don’t they attend? I’ve chatted with a few graduates, and here are the top five reasons they gave me for not attending.
- I plan on being employed and I don’t want to ask for a day off to attend graduation.
- I’m moving away and it’s too far to travel to come back for the graduation ceremony.
- Most of my close friends from college won’t be attending, so I don’t want to celebrate alone.
- It’s not a big deal to me. I’m not into ceremonies.
- My family left the decision up to me and I opted not to attend.
So, now let me share the top five reasons why graduates should attend their convocation ceremony.
- Later in life, they will regret not attending. As we get older we have a greater appreciation for everything that we have accomplished and looking back on grad photos is a reminder of the hard work that needed to be done to earn a certificate, diploma or degree.
- It’s not just about the graduate. For parents, spouses and family members the celebration of a college graduate is just as meaningful for them as it is for the grad. While some parents will be passive and let the graduating student decide on whether to attend, trust me, inside they want their grad in the procession. Snapping that photo of a son, daughter or spouse walking across the stage in their gown and receiving their diploma from the President of the College is a moment of pride that they want to experience.
- Convocation ceremonies are fun. Yes, there is some down time when all of the graduates have their moment on stage, but for the most part, the ceremony is filled with inspirational messages, plenty of smiles and the anticipation of an even greater celebration with family and friends when the auditorium empties.
- You never know who is watching and paying attention in the audience. This is particularly true for award winning graduates who may catch the attention of a prospective employer as they are acknowledged for their academic prowess and college success in their field of study.
- It’s the right thing to do. Convocation ceremonies are the closing of a chapter in a person’s life. It may not be the last time a graduate enters into an educational program, but for now, it needs to be marked as a very special moment in time, just like a marriage or the birth of a child. Graduating from a post-secondary program can be life-changing, and it needs to be recognized in a formal way.
In closing….
- Your new boss will probably understand if you let them know up front when your graduation ceremony is being held and that you would like to attend.
- Call your fellow graduates and encourage them to participate. You’ll be amazed how influential you can be. If you need to travel, make it a great road trip to see some very dear friends. You’ll be glad you made the effort.
- Give it is the importance it deserves. It really is a “big deal.” Do it for your parents or partner. They do care and want you to be at the ceremony. Most importantly, do it for yourself!
- Life is too short. Fill it with great memories of your accomplishments. Your grad photos will live on for family generations to follow.
Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus will be celebrating its 2016 graduating class on Friday, June 3rd at 2:30 p.m. at the Pembroke Memorial Centre. I hope this blog will convince all of our graduates to attend.
Post by: Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs at Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus.
Posted on Monday, May 2nd, 2016
When Algonquin College started seriously talking about building a new campus in Pembroke in 2006, the project vision became known as Renaissance Square. The project envisioned a new beginning for the College and for Pembroke’s historic downtown, which had struggled for many years as the retail sector pushed away from the city’s inner core.
Now, four years after the Waterfront Campus opened, Pembroke is really starting to experience a renaissance. The most obvious example is the opening of two privately owned and operated student residences, and the recent start of construction on a third purposefully built apartment building for students.
AMNA Student Living was the first residence to open in the fall of 2014. The former Lakeside Medical Clinic had been vacant for a few years before it was purchased by a developer who took advantage of its close proximity to the new campus. The building was gutted and renovated to include spaces for 49 students. Most of the units are singles, and the residence includes a common kitchen and lounge area for students to socialize.
The second residence, Algonquin House, opened in the fall of 2015 in the former Algonquin College Pembroke Campus. After the College sold the building, the new owners made extensive renovations to allow the front of the building to be used for doctor offices and a pharmacy, while the larger portion of the building was converted to a student residence for more than 70 occupants.
Construction on the third residence started a few weeks ago. This residence doesn’t have a name yet, but the developer plans to have it ready for the summer of 2017. The four-storey building will accommodate approximately 50 students in three-bedroom apartments.
The Campus has been gradually growing its enrolments and now attracts almost 50 percent of its close to 1,000 full-time students from outside of Renfrew County. The growing out-of-town student population has built a strong business case for private investment in student housing, generating new tax revenue for the city of Pembroke and creating more options for out-of-town students who are looking for accommodations while studying at the Waterfront Campus.
And it’s not only the student housing market that is benefiting from the Waterfront Campus. The entire downtown has a much more positive vibe. Storefronts that were once vacant are filling up, shop owners are improving their facades, developers are buying up properties and investing in them, and merchants are welcoming Algonquin’s students to their businesses.
The building of the Waterfront Campus is the best thing to happen to Pembroke’s downtown in decades and it may be just the tip of the ice berg. The renaissance is well underway.
Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs
Posted on Monday, April 25th, 2016
Sean Conway has been out of political office for more than a decade, but the former Ontario Cabinet Minister remains in tune with the challenges facing the province. That’s why Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne chose him to Chair the Premier’s Highly Skilled Workforce Strategy Expert Panel.
For the past several months, Conway and his four panel colleagues, have been travelling across the province to gather input from stakeholders including business leaders, educators and students. The panel’s task is to assess how well Ontario’s workforce is positioned to meet the needs of its economy and to also recommend how the government can bridge education, training and skills development with the demands of an evolving economic landscape.
While most of the roundtable discussions that have been hosted by the panel have taken place in larger centres, the former Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP returned to his home riding to take the pulse of rural Ontario.
Conway held a three hour discussion at Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus with about 25 people from Renfrew County. The audience included business owners, human resources professionals, economic development officers, labour market analysts, high school guidance counsellors, and senior administrators from Renfrew County’s District School Boards and Algonquin College.
The discussions focused on what successful business-education partnerships entailed, how labour market data could be more useful, career counseling for youth and how organizations are dealing with the demands of a technology driven knowledge economy.
Conway, who was the Minister of Education and Minister of Colleges and Universities in the Liberal Government of David Peterson, has been very clear that the panel intends to make recommendations that can be quickly acted upon. The panel’s final report is due to the government in the fall.
More information on the panel and its mandate can be found on the Ontario Government website.
Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs
Posted on Thursday, April 21st, 2016
College education continues to provide an effective pathway to the workforce as results show about 84 per cent of Ontario’s most recent graduates found employment within six months of graduation.
“Colleges build the talent and skills of students to help them pursue rewarding careers,” said Linda Franklin, the president and CEO of Colleges Ontario. “This strengthens the economy and builds Ontario’s international reputation.”
Read more of this media release from Colleges Ontario >>
Posted on Sunday, April 10th, 2016
It has been a week to celebrate our alumni at Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus. Not a formal celebration, but rather a time to reflect on the great things that our graduates are doing here at home.
It seems everywhere I turned this past week I was learning about a special project or initiative that one of our alumni was involved in. It started with a chance meeting with Police Foundations graduate, Dallas McLeod, who was on campus for a Program Advisory committee meeting.
McLeod graduated in 2013 and is now a full-time member of the Renfrew OPP detachment. While he was a student, he accumulated an incredible 3000+ hours of volunteer work. Through his participation on an Advisory Committee, he is continuing his commitment to volunteerism by providing feedback to the College on the program he graduated from.
A few days later I had a call from Social Service Worker graduate Sam Graham, class of 2015. Graham, who is now working on earning a Degree in Social Work at Carleton University, was planning a wheelchair basketball fundraiser at the Waterfront Campus for the fourth year in a row.
Graham has raised money for several causes including the Algonquin College food bank and the Pembroke Regional Hospital MRI Fund. This year, he was helping to generate funds for a recreational facility in Ottawa for people with disabilities.
2001 Business graduate and Canadian Recording artist, Jason Blaine, established his own charitable fund a few years ago. For the past two years, he has held a two-day fundraising event that features a concert and a golf tournament, raising more than $125,000 for community causes in his hometown.
This week he announced he will be joined by two of Canada’s top Country performers, Dallas Smith and Jason McCoy at this year’s charity concert on June 14th. It will be another sold-out event with this year’s beneficiaries including Algonquin College, the Pembroke and Area Boys and Girls Club and local food banks. Blaine is also again committing $5,000 to help Renfrew County not for profit groups access Mental Health First Aid training.
These are only a few examples of what you can learn in a short time about the great things our Algonquin College alumni are doing. They really are terrific people and their commitment to helping others is extraordinary and worth celebrating.
Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community & Student Affairs
Posted on Thursday, April 7th, 2016
“I’m approaching graduation and I’m conflicted about what my next step should be. Should I travel while I still can? Should I pursue more education? Do I try to find a career job right away, even though I don’t have much experience? Help!”
What an exciting time! You have so many great opportunities ahead of you. Although I can’t answer your question about what your next step should be, I can assure you that you’ve got some time to figure it out. While there is pressure to determine what you want to do with your life from an early age, know that young adulthood is all about self-exploration and discovery. It’s a time to try new things, to challenge yourself, and to make and learn from your mistakes. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, wary, and uncertain, know that you’re in good company.
Some things to think about:
- Get comfortable with uncertainty. As we transition into adulthood it’s easy to get trapped into thinking that we need to have it all figured out. This is a big fat farce! The truth is, uncertainty is normal and unavoidable. It’s okay not to know your next move.
- Listen to others, but make your own decisions. There will be times in your life when others try to make decisions for you. We all love to give advice, right? Remember that nobody else has to wear your shoes. Sometimes the choices you make will turn out to be mistakes – or what you perceive as mistakes at the time. It’s all part of the messy and bewildering process. Giddy-up!
- Do your research. Whether you’re going backpacking in Europe or enrolling in a new program, spend some time inquiring about it before committing. Read about it, talk to the experts, and ask tons of questions. This will help to enrich your experience and minimize your anxiety.
- Talk to a counsellor on campus. Counsellors are able to assist students with career assessment and planning. Career counselling can help you to explore your values, skills, goals, and passions to help clarify future possibilities. Counsellors also have access to career assessment tools like the Myers– Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), which can help to reveal how you perceive the world and make decisions. You can also work on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns that might interfere with success.
Posted on Tuesday, March 29th, 2016
With spring fresh in the air and the end of the winter term just around the corner, we thought it a perfect time to provide an update on activities that have recently happened and provide some insight into upcoming events.
We are pleased to present our latest Waterfront Campus video, featuring Karen Davies, Dean highlighting our campus along the shores of the Ottawa River.
We also reflected on the fact that we have a number of Office Administration – Executive graduates who work on campus. To celebrate this fact, we created a “We Hire Our Own” video.
Take a moment to have a look at our new Events Calendar too! This features recent activities as well as upcoming initiatives for students and 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.
Winterfest: An opportunity to celebrate to wonders of winter!
Earlier in February, students had the opportunity to participate in some wintry activities including:
- Outdoor activities: kayak pull, snowshoeing and bean bag toss
- Loggersports Demo & hot chocolate warm-up station
- Indoor games: Waterfront Jeopardy trivia, board games and video game station
- Hockey! Hockey! and more Hockey!
- Chuck-a-puck during the hockey intermission for a chance to win prizes worth $1,000!!!
- Free dinner back in the Commons, some cards and a wee pub night!
Have a look at our Winterfest photo album >>
Did you know the Campus has a Book Club?
The Waterfront Campus is lucky to have a very engaged Library and as a result we have our own Waterfront Campus Book Club!
This semester students and staff have read Fifteen Dogs by by André Alexis, Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling, The Taliban Shuffle: Strange Days in Afghanistan and Pakistan by Kim Barker and they are currently reading Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro.
Learn more about our Library Services!
Waterfront Campus Welcomes Our First Entrepreneur in Residence
Christopher Doré is our Waterfront Campus Entrepreneur in Residence and is responsible for creating an on campus entrepreneurial hub, putting tools in place to support our students who are interested in starting up their own business or being innovation leaders. Learn more about the supports and features that are available to our students on our Entrepreneurial website >>
Events on Campus
Algonquin College Speaker Series Presents…
Humanitarian & Adventurer Martin Spriggs
Toward the end of February, Martin Springs, former Ottawa Valley resident and friend of the College, spoke to our students and staff. Martin has spent his life helping others, whether during his 15-year military career as an infantryman and paratrooper deployed to global hotspots like Cyprus, Croatia or the streets of Sarajevo or in his post-military life as an emergency medical technician or his multiple trips overseas on international humanitarian or disaster relief missions.
The focus of Spriggs’s main address in the colleges commons was a solo bicycle trip he took in 2014, where he covered more than 7,000 kilometers and rode from Victoria, BC to St. John’s, Nfld., all to raise as much awareness as possible about the spectre of suicide and mental health ailments among current and former Canada Armed Forces members.
UPCOMING: Titanic! Canadian Stories From the Ill-Fated Ocean Liner
April 14, 2016, 7 p.m.
Author and Titanic Researcher Alan Hustak will be on campus to recall some of the Canadian stories from the ill-fated ocean liner on the 104th anniversary of the tragedy.
Alan spent years researching the 130 passengers on the Titanic who were bound for Canada and will share their stories, including a real-life romance that rivals the fictional story of Jack and Rose in the blockbuster movie, “Titanic.” Learn more about this event >>
Waterfront Campus Convocation
Do you have a son, daughter, or spouse graduating this year? Mark your calendars because our Waterfront Campus Convocation will be held on Friday, June 3 this year!
Ceremony to be held at the Pembroke Memorial Centre situated in downtown Pembroke at the corner of Lake and Christie Streets across the street from our Waterfront Campus. More details will be shared with your loved ones in the near future.
Thank you for reading our newsletter for parents and families. We would welcome your feedback.
Sign-up to receive our Parents’ & Families’ Newsletter!
Now, a provincial panel looking into what Ontario needs to do to keep its workforce competitive has made several key recommendations. The Premier’s Highly Skilled Workforce Panel was chaired by former Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP Sean Conway, who calls the panel’s work, “A matter of urgent and pressing priority driven by changing demographics and evidence that the future net growth of Ontario’s labour force will be provided through immigration.”
The benefits of building a strategy to integrate retiring military personnel into the civilian workforce was an idea that surfaced at the Pembroke session and found its way into the report. There was also a lot of discussion about the need for more support to guidance counsellors to help student transitions from high schools to post-secondary and the ongoing need to have timely data on labour market trends and opportunities. These ideas also garnered attention in the report.
