November 17, 2021
Algoma University and Devant have partnered to launch a customized, web-based career development platform designed specifically for international students. “We are proud of our international student body at Algoma University and are passionate about giving them the resources they need,” shared Cindi Elgie, Co-op, Career and Experiential Learning Coordinator. “We are thrilled to have so many international students study here, and through this new partnership with Devant, these students will be able to find employment and make Canada their home.” The online career platform developed by Devant will work as an additional layer of support that complements Algoma’s existing career support services. Students will have access to a ‘Get Hired’ Master Class and certification, resume tools, live virtual hiring expos, webinars and expert panels, and more through the partnership.
Algoma (ON)
Several British Columbia postsecondary institutions have cancelled classes and closed campuses in response to inclement weather. The University of the Fraser Valley cancelled in-person classes at all of its campuses on Monday amid the flooding and poor road conditions. Vancouver Island University cancelled classes at its Cowichan Campus on Monday afternoon, citing the state of emergency issued by the Cowichan Valley Regional District, and requested that individuals not travel to the campus until an update is posted. Sprott Shaw College closed both its Abbotsford and Chilliwack campuses due to unsafe road conditions.
UFV |
Sprott Shaw |
VIU (BC)
Queen’s University has honoured the Bader family’s and Bader Philanthropies, Inc’s generosity through proclaiming November 15th Bader Day. The day was chosen because it is both the 80th anniversary of the late Dr Alfred Bader’s arrival to campus and National Philosophy Day. The Baders and Bader Philanthropies previously gifted Queen’s with the English castle that is home to the Bader International Study Centre, provided $31M to support the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing arts, and provided $40M to support Agnes Reimagined. Isabel Bader and Bader Philanthropies have also recently given Queen’s three new gifts, including 12 paintings for the Agnes Etherington Art Centre, nine Leica S9i microscopes for Queen’s art conservation program, and funding for the Outdoor Gathering Space and to hire an Indigenous Arts and Culture curator.
Kingstonist |
The Whig Standard |
Global News |
Queen’s (ON)
Faculty need to talk about the impacts that micro-credentials will likely play in postsecondary education as time moves forward, writes Loleen Berdahl of the University of Saskatchewan. Since postsecondary institutions are not the only ones to offer skills-focused training to retrain people for new employment opportunities, Berdahl writes that faculty should pay attention to micro-credentials. The author encourages those in leadership roles to lead discussions that question where gaps in their own programming are, how micro-credentials could improve student diversity, and how they could lead to partnerships. Faculty should also consider the potential workload before getting involved. “[I]f universities are serious about micro-credentials, they need to step up and invest university-level resources to support their actual development, especially identifying labour-market needs,” writes Berdahl.
University Affairs (Editorial)
The Cégep de La Pocatière, Cégep de Sept-Îles, Cégep de Thetford, and the Institut national des mines du Québec have formed a coalition to deliver a series of training sessions focused on cybersecurity in Quebec’s mining centre. The courses will consist of six modules focused on topics such as establishing a continuity plan, an analysis of cybersecurity risks in the mining environment, and crisis management. The 66-hour training program will be relevant for a wide array of workers from IT managers to administrative staff to senior management, and responds to the need to enhance mining workers’ cybersecurity skills.
Region Thetford (QC)
The University of Saskatchewan has launched a new mentorship program that will connect Indigenous high school students with university students. Through the Building Intercultural Resilience Mentorship (BIRM) program, Indigenous students from Bedford Road Collegiate and Mount Royal Collegiate will connect with mentors who can speak to them about being an Indigenous student on campus and answer any questions about university life. “Changing the mentality around long-term goals and how [students] see themselves in schools is a big goal for me for these high school students,” said Nahanni Olson, BIRM Program Co-ordinator. “So, when they’re ready to move on past high school, they have a better idea of the supports, and the skills that they need to achieve their goals.”
Global News (SK)
Lakehead University has received over 5 million disinfecting wipes from Lysol, which it will be sharing with local organizations and institutions. Lakehead will be sharing wipes with Confederation College, Camp Quality, the Victorian Order of Nurses, and other organizations in the region. Wipes will be used at Lakehead and Confederation in high-traffic and popular places on campus. “It is wonderful to receive this contribution from partners like Lysol and Lakehead University, which will greatly assist us in managing our response to the pandemic,” said Rob Zuback, Director, Advancement and External Relations, Confederation.
Lakehead |
Sault Online (ON)
The Government of British Columbia has announced $450K in funding for Okanagan College’s Kelowna campus through a new Community and Employer Partnerships (CEP) project. Through the project, Okanagan will train up to 30 British Columbians for employment in the hospitality industry through two intakes of its hospitality professional program, with a focus on recruiting immigrants. Participants will develop skills in marketing and sales, health and safety training, and human resources and management. The program includes a work experience component and support for graduates pursuing employment. “Introductory skills training, like the hospitality professional program, has the ability to transform lives of new Canadians while also supporting communities in need of trained employees,” said Okanagan director of continuing studies and corporate training Danelle Greebe.
BC (BC)
Humber College has partnered with Markham Fire and Emergency Services (MFES) to enhance inclusion and decrease barriers for Black, Indigenous, and Racialized Markham students entering its firefighting programs. Humber will offer students scholarships, while MFES will provide students with equipment, pay for certifications, provide summer job placements to students, and match students with MFES mentors. MFES will also offer students a job interview once they complete their program. “A more inclusive fire service improves a team’s innovation and problem-solving abilities because of the different perspectives and experiences each individual brings,” said Humber associate dean, Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellness Amanda Baskwill.
Humber |
OAFC (ON)
Colleges in New Brunswick have resumed classes after the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the Government of New Brunswick reached a tentative agreement. CUPE members in several industries will go back to work this week, and the vote and decision on the tentative agreement will be completed by Friday. CUPE is reportedly pursuing a court challenge of NB’s use of emergency legislation to force health care workers back to work. Union lawyer Joël Michaud said that if hospital workers choose not to ratify the agreement, “we’re right back to square one.”
CTV News |
CBC (NB)
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