College strengthens links.

• Author: WALCHUK, KEVIN
• Position: Brief Article

Northern College reponds to local labor demands

Northern College intends to enhance its role as a promoter of economic diversification and growth in northeastern Ontario with new courses and by increasing accessibility.

Over the past year the college has been conducting an internal review of the programs and services it offers while launching several new industry-driven programs at the same time.

"We are going to change the profile of our programs," says Michael Hill, president of. Northern College. "We want to directly relate them to our economy."

In response to the geo-graphical challenges of serving a region that stretches north to Moosonee and the James Bay coast and south to the Tri-towns area, Hill says the college is intent on increasing its electronic and distance education services so that academic needs in the North can continue to be met. At the same time, the college wants to provide relevant educational opportunities for persons who want to remain in the North.

"We think we have the solution to the talent drain. It lies in increasing training and educational opportunities. Our primary mission is to serve our community in terms of economic and social development. Our new vision will do exactly that," Hill says.

The college has a number of new recruitment markets including displaced workers - something he calls a particularly "northern phenomenon." - with part-time programs and distance education initiatives aimed at making college more accessible.

Hill says maintaining strong enrolment levels starts with selling the college to the local community.

"The tendency is to say the grass is greener somewhere else. Sometimes what's happening in your own back yard is the best," Hill says. "We've got to get that message across."

The college has embarked on a number of new private partnerships and is offering new course material geared to specific industries.

Northern College's Kirkland Lake Campus is offering two new technician diploma programs which started in...