Peggy Revell
Confederation College and the Rainy River District School Board celebrated funding for new shop equipment, as well as the re-signing of their corporate agreement, on Monday afternoon at Fort Frances High School.
“We’re delighted to be here,” enthused Confederation College president Patricia Lang. “We’re delighted to partner with [the RRDSB], celebrating the investment in equipment and, more importantly, the investment in people and believing in the youth of tomorrow.
“Believing that we need to invest in them so that they can realize their hopes and dreams and aspirations.”
The original agreement between the two institutions, signed back in 2006, saw the creation of dual credits that apply both at Fort High and Confederation college, along with other “pathways” to help transition high school students into post-secondary education and future careers.
Monday’s re-signing ceremony also highlighted $130,000 in funding from the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities that has brought in new equipment for the automotive and machine shop at Fort High thanks to the Apprenticeship Enhancement Fund (AEF).
This funding has purchased two new milling machines, two lathes, one drill press, a cold cut saw, surface grinder, small bandsaw, TIG machines, three welders, and work tables and storage for students to use.
Much of the older machinery in the shop was 60-70 years old, noted Bob Guertin, Fort High’s trades teacher who also is an instructor with Confederation College.
“There’s still stuff that I want to do to improve the shop,” he added while giving a tour of the new equipment in the shop and showcasing some of the projects students have been using the new equipment to build.
“I’m having so much fun teaching these guys stuff,” Guertin remarked. “We’ve actually started getting into a [Specialist High Skills Major program] that allows for reach ahead into college, too.
“So I’m really excited about starting that up.”
Guertin said one of the benefits for students, thanks to the agreement with Confederation College, is the opportunity to train in skills and certifications, citing how an employer is more likely to hire a student for a job over other candidates if they have skills such as CPR, health and safety training, and WHMIS.
“It’s because of this great partnership that over the past five years we’ve had dual credit partnership, [students] test-drive courses, acquire college credits, and earn areas of industry-recognized certifications,” said Heather Campbell, director of education for the local public school board.
Areas of study have included hospitality and tourism, geography and environmental, sociology, accounting, and humanities, she noted.
As well, opportunities for wilderness first aid, CPR, safe food handling, GPS certification, service in excellence, and ‘Smart Serve’ have meant that students “enter the workforce very well-prepared,” added Campbell, noting more than 200 students have accessed this training since the agreement was first signed five years ago.
“We’re finding that those
outreach programs are really making a difference for students,” said Lang, outlining how this sort of agreement helps students make education and career choices.
Lang also highlighted how the agreement between the college and school board fits in with the college’s recently-established strategic direction and priorities over the next three years.
“One of those priorities was about meeting the needs of the learners in terms of providing flexible and supportive distance education in general,” she explained.
This region has what is called “geographically-bound learners,” Lang noted, “where if we don’t get those educational opportunities to those students—they just don’t have an opportunity to get that post-secondary education.”
The college’s second priority is to meet the needs of aboriginal learners while expanding the college’s outreach to aboriginal learners, added Lang, noting about 20 percent of the students enrolled at Confederation are aboriginal.
The third priority is meeting the needs of businesses and industry, as well as communities.
“And this, again, is an example of how we’re able to do that by partnering with progressive school boards across Northwestern Ontario who want to create more and more learning opportunities for their students,” said Lang.
“So their students’ lives can be enriched, and so we can do a better job of meeting those needs and helping prepare them for that future world of work and the economies of the future.”
Also on hand Monday to extend congratulations was Fort Frances Deputy Mayor Sharon Tibbs, who noted two of her own children are graduates of Confederation College.
“The Town of Fort Frances does have a very strong interest in what goes on at this property,” said Coun. Tibbs, pointing to how, for instance, the town helped fund the Townshend Theatre.
“I’d like to say we’re very pleased that you’re here.
“And I can’t believe 10 years ago we were talking about putting Con College and the high school together, and here we are looking at renewing that particular thing—and what a wonderful thing,” Coun. Tibbs enthused.
