Oshawa, Ont. – Durham College (DC) is proud to announce that second-year student Keeshan Sharma from the Automotive Technician – Service and Management (Motive Power Technician) program, has won the silver medal in the automobile technology category at the 24th annual Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) in Edmonton, Alta. from June 4 to 5.

Sharma advanced to the national competition following his gold-medal performance at the Skills Ontario Competition in May. He represented DC and Ontario while competing against top students from across Canada. In the automobile technology category, competitors faced practical assignments and real-life auto-repair situations related to correctly inspecting, repairing and adjusting engines, electrical function, and vehicle performance, among other skills.

“DC is very proud of Keeshan and all of our students who excelled in this year’s provincial and national skills competitions,” said Dr. Rebecca Milburn, associate vice-president, Academic, DC. “Their performance is further proof that when dedicated, hard-working students meet career-driven, hands-on learning programs, like those offered at DC, the result is a success.”

Organized by Skills/Compétences Canada, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting skilled trades and technologies among Canadian youth, SCNC is Canada’s only national, multi-trade and technology competition for students and apprentices in the country.

Each year, more than 500 young people from all regions of Canada advance through local, regional and provincial/territorial events to reach SCNC and participate in more than 40 skilled trade and technology competitions.

By providing a forum where Canadian youth can compete at the national level, SCNC provides hands-on work experience related to skilled trade and technology careers. The initiative also helps to raise awareness about skilled trade and technology sectors to Canadian youth and their influencers. 

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About Durham College

At Durham College (DC), the student experience comes first. With campuses in Oshawa and Whitby and a learning site in Pickering, the college offers more than 12,000 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students access to more than 140 full-time and eight apprenticeship programs in a number of different disciplines, enabling them to develop the skills required to meet the demands of today’s job market. The college is also set to launch its first four-year degree program, the Honours Bachelor of Health Care Technology Management, in September 2018.

The Oshawa campus features the state-of-the art Student Services building and will soon feature the Centre for Collaborative Education, a legacy project tied to DC’s 50th anniversary in 2017. The new facility will bring together local, Indigenous and global communities, providing a new home for several of the college’s most innovative and ground-breaking programs.

The Whitby campus features the award-winning W. Galen Weston Centre for Food, which includes Bistro ’67, a full-service, teaching-inspired restaurant, and Pantry, a retail store featuring food prepared by students in the college’s culinary programs.

For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

Oshawa, ON – Ontario’s colleges face a province-wide funding shortfall of more than $100 million a year that the province’s next government needs to address.

“College education gives students a competitive edge in this knowledge-driven economy,” said Don Lovisa, President, Durham College. “It’s essential that we continue to deliver high-quality programs that produce job-ready graduates who are prepared with the skills and knowledge to succeed.”

A number of factors are affecting Ontario’s colleges, from declining enrolment to cost increases related to the rate of inflation. Meanwhile, per-student provincial funding has fallen every year since 2007-2008.

Ontario’s colleges currently receive the lowest per-student funding in Canada. The per-student revenue for colleges is lower than the amounts provided to Ontario universities and high schools.

Currently, colleges need an additional $100 million per year to maintain programs and services for students.

While some of the cost pressures were offset this year by an increase in international students, the increasing dependence on international student revenues to balance College budgets is not sustainable and therefore the long-term challenge remains.

As accelerating automation and innovations revolutionize the workplace, Ontario needs to invest in college education. More students need to acquire the specialized qualifications and expertise that lead to rewarding careers.

Colleges are calling for candidates in the provincial election to commit to investing in student success. Some of the options for addressing the colleges’ funding shortfall include:

• Enhancing the annual operating funding provided to colleges.
• Creating a tuition-fee framework for colleges that is distinct from the tuition framework for universities.
• Developing a targeted funding increase to expand science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) programs by 30 percent over the next four years.

“Chronic underfunding is putting the long-term sustainability of college education in Ontario at risk,” said Lovisa. “Our next government needs to ensure we have the resources to provide students with the knowledge and expertise that lead to meaningful and rewarding careers.”

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About Durham College

At Durham College (DC), the student experience comes first. With campuses in Oshawa and Whitby and a learning site in Pickering, the college offers more than 12,000 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students access to more than 140 full-time and eight apprenticeship programs in a number of different disciplines, enabling them to develop the skills required to meet the demands of today’s job market. The college is also set to launch its first four-year degree program, the Honours Bachelor of Health Care Technology Management, in September 2018.

The Oshawa campus features the state-of-the-art Student Services building and will soon feature the Centre for Collaborative Education, a legacy project tied to DC’s 50th anniversary in 2017. The new facility will bring together local, Indigenous and global communities, providing a new home for several of the college’s most innovative and ground-breaking programs.

The Whitby campus features the award-winning W. Galen Weston Centre for Food, which includes Bistro ’67, a full-service, teaching-inspired restaurant, and Pantry, a retail store featuring food prepared by students in the college’s culinary programs.

For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

Oshawa, ON – Durham College (DC) is proud to announce that seven DC students earned six medals – two gold, two silver and two bronze – in post-secondary categories at the 29th annual Skills Ontario Competition, Canada’s largest skilled trades and technology competition, which took place in Toronto from May 7 to 9.

Students Zachary Unger, Building Construction Technician, and Keeshan Sharma, Automotive Technician – Service and Management (Motive Power Technician), owned the podium, winning gold medals in the carpentry and auto service technology categories, respectively.

Judges evaluated Unger on his carpentry skills for residential construction, requiring him to interpret drawings and assemble framing systems such as floors, walls and roofs. For his part, Sharma tackled real-life auto-repair situations related to engines, electrical function and vehicle performance, among other skills. Unger and Sharma’s wins means they will be representing DC and Ontario against the best and brightest in their categories in Canada, when they participate in the Skills Canada National Competition 2018 held in Edmonton, Alberta, from Monday, June 4 and Tuesday, June 5.

Emilie Smith, a student in DC’s Advanced Baking and Pastry Arts program, took a silver medal in the baking category. Smith earned tops marks for her proficiency in baking cakes and pastries using her own recipes. In addition, Liam Duffy, who is enrolled in the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program and studies at DC under theSchool-College-Work initiative, picked up a silver medal in the culinary art category after demonstrating his skills in cooking and displaying hot and cold dishes.

In the horticulture and landscape category, Tianna Ghersini and Andrew Campbell won bronze as a team. TheHorticulture Technician students showcased their skills by building a garden, which components may include plant selection and placement of landscape rocks. Apprenticeship Plumbing student Tanner Woodhead also earned bronze in the plumbing category, which assessed knowledge of the plumbing system, including gas and water pressure, and quality of work.

“Congratulations to all of the Durham College students who earned incredible success at the annual Skills Ontario competition,” said Rebecca Milburn, associate vice-president, Academic at DC. “Their accomplishments are a direct reflection of quality programs, the support of mentorship of their professors and the hard work and commitment they have demonstrated throughout their studies.”

The DC students competed against peers from across the province in contests that included theoretical and practical components, as well as a job interview related to their technical career paths.

The competition is presented annually by Skills Ontario, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting skilled trades and technologies to Ontario youth.

Overall, 18 DC students competed in various categories including auto service technology, baking, culinary arts, coding, IT network system administration and plumbing.

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 About Durham College

At Durham College (DC), the student experience comes first. With campuses in Oshawa and Whitby and a learning site in Pickering, the college offers more than 12,000 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students access to more than 140 full-time and eight apprenticeship programs in a number of different disciplines, enabling them to develop the skills required to meet the demands of today’s job market. The college is also set to launch its first four-year degree program, the Honours Bachelor of Health Care Technology Management, in September 2018.

The Oshawa campus features the state-of-the art Student Services building and will soon feature the Centre for Collaborative Education, a legacy project tied to DC’s 50th anniversary in 2017. The new facility will bring together local, Indigenous and global communities, providing a new home for several of the college’s most innovative and ground-breaking programs.

The Whitby campus features the award-winning W. Galen Weston Centre for Food, which includes Bistro ’67, a full-service, teaching-inspired restaurant, and Pantry, a retail store featuring food prepared by students in the college’s culinary programs.

For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

Oshawa, ON – New measures to enhance career-specific degree programs at colleges, strengthen mental health supports for students and transform apprenticeship training are among the priorities for Ontario’s colleges in the upcoming provincial election.

“Students in Durham Region and across Ontario deserve the best college education they can get,” said Don Lovisa, president Durham College (DC). “We know that by calling for, and actioning these new measures, we will find more opportunities to help our students be successful and ensure they continue to find meaningful work upon graduation.”

The 24 colleges officially launched their election platform today. The platform, Enriching Ontario, highlights four priority areas that will ensure greater numbers of students acquire the professional and technical expertise that leads to successful careers.

DC strongly supports the priority areas identified in the platform. The colleges are calling for the provincial parties to enrich the opportunities for students by committing to the following:

• Revitalize college programs. Provide colleges with the ability to quickly design and implement leading-edge programs, including the expansion of career-specific degree programs.
  • With the launch of the new Bachelor of Health Care Technology Management degree and six additional new programs in September 2018, DC continues to focus on meeting the evolving needs of employers and industry professionals.
• Strengthen mental health services. Commit to a whole-of-community approach to mental health that strengthens the supports and services available to post-secondary students.
  • DC currently provides an assortment of support services for students including: Aboriginal Student Centre; Access & Support Centre; Coaching; Outreach Services; Student Academic Learning Services; and the Office of Student Diversity, Inclusion & Transitions.
  • The community-of-whole approach will strengthen the services already provided by the college to ensure that all students who need support receive the support they require to be successful.
• Produce more apprentices. Create a simplified, one-window application process to apprenticeship programs by expanding the college system’s provincial application service.
  • On March 5 Women in Skilled Trades Durham College (WISTDC) hosted a networking event for female students studying in the School of Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship and Renewable Technology. WISTDC is dedicated to creating opportunities for female students in DC’s skilled trades programs to connect and network with other women working in skilled trades.
  • There are growing career opportunities for skilled trades and we need a different approach to ensure students and employers needs are met.
• Invest in student success. Commit to the long-term sustainability of college education and fund the expansion of science, technology, engineering, arts and math programs by 30 per cent over four years.
  • DC recently celebrated student success through the annual Celebrate STEAM exhibition that took place on April 18 where students displayed more than 25 applied research projects, including projects in artificial intelligence, exploring student achievements in STEAM. Participating students gained real-world professional experience by solving industry and social challenges through applied research, innovation and collaboration to address the needs of a technology-driven knowledge economy.  Colleges have the capacity to contribute much more to science, technology and trades and only require the supports to expand.

More than 240,000 full-time students and about 300,000 part-time students are enrolled in the 900 programs at Ontario’s colleges, in programs ranging from business, paramedicine, advertising, engineering, aviation, machining and animation to game development, biotechnology and 3D manufacturing.

Colleges serve a diverse range of students, including university and college graduates in post-graduate programs. The number of university graduates enrolled in colleges has increased by about 40 per cent over the past five years and more than 83 per cent of college graduates find employment within six months of graduation.

“College education ensures people entering the workforce are job-ready. Our graduates have the skills and qualifications they need to be successful,” said Lovisa. “This election provides a tremendous opportunity to ensure college education remains at the forefront of new innovations and a rapidly evolving economy.”

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About Durham College

At Durham College (DC), the student experience comes first. With campuses in Oshawa and Whitby and a learning site in Pickering, the college offers more than 12,000 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students access to more than 140 full-time and eight apprenticeship programs in a number of different disciplines, enabling them to develop the skills required to meet the demands of today’s job market. The college is also set to launch its first four-year degree program, the Honours Bachelor of Health Care Technology Management, in September 2018.

The Oshawa campus features the state-of-the art Student Services building and will soon feature the Centre for Collaborative Education, a legacy project tied to DC’s 50th anniversary in 2017. The new facility will bring together local, Indigenous and global communities, providing a new home for several of the college’s most innovative and ground-breaking programs.

The Whitby campus features the award-winning W. Galen Weston Centre for Food, which includes Bistro ’67, a full-service, teaching-inspired restaurant, and Pantry, a retail store featuring food prepared by students in the college’s culinary programs.

For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

Media contact:
Debby Allbon
Communications and Marketing
905.721.2000 ext. 2333
debby.allbon@durhamcollege.ca

Employees return from challenging and rewarding professional and personal growth experience in developing countries 

Oshawa, ON – Durham College (DC) is pleased to announce the return of the first three employees chosen by Uniterra, a leading Canadian international development program, to participate in the Leave for Change program. Dale Burt, professor, School of Justice & Emergency Services; Cosette Kazarian, intranet specialist, Communications and Marketing; and Kim Sharpe, program assistant, School of Continuing Education, travelled to three different locations across the globe.

“This is a fabulous opportunity for DC employees to learn from international experiences while contributing to the social and economic stability of developing foreign communities,” said Don Lovisa, president, DC. “The experiences of our employees were shared with others to assist in advancing the internationalization of our college, a key pillar of our strategic vision, while also allowing DC to foster a more inclusive learning environment and enabling employees to develop a wider global perspective.”

Burt travelled to Danang, Vietnam, where she worked within the School of Economics at Danang University in July, 2017. As a teaching methodology advisor, Burt helped to create and share tools, resources and templates for use in designing modern and dynamic teaching plans. 

Kazarian returned from Colombo, Sri Lanka, in February, where she worked as a social media marketing advisor with the University of Vocational Technology (UoVT). She provided resources and recommendations to improve UoVT’s website and developed a social media strategy for the university.

Sharpe travelled to Kathmandu, Nepal in June, 2017, where she worked with the National Youth Federation of Nepal to train their members using her experience and education. She was the first participant in the role and made a significant impact breaking ground with this training.

The agreement between DC and Uniterra allows DC employees to transform vacation time into professional and personal development opportunities. Employees enjoy three to four weeks in developing countries, where they participate in work mandates in their respective fields. During their time abroad, participants contribute their skills and expertise to a development project, paired with professionals from non-governmental organizations in their host countries. DC is pleased to continue the partnership with Uniterra in 2018. 

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About Uniterra

Uniterra is a leading Canadian international development program that is jointly operated by CECI and WUSC. Each year, 600 volunteers contribute their time and experience to positive and lasting change towards a more equitable world by dedicating a few weeks to two years of their lives to international volunteer work. The program also provides opportunities to get involved in Canada and play an active role in combatting poverty. The Uniterra program receives funding from the Government of Canada, provided through Global Affairs Canada.

About Durham College

At Durham College (DC), the student experience comes first. With campuses in Oshawa and Whitby and a learning site in Pickering, the college offers more than 12,000 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students access to more than 140 full-time and eight apprenticeship programs in a number of different disciplines, enabling them to develop the skills required to meet the demands of today’s job market. The college is also set to launch its first four-year degree program, the Honours Bachelor of Health Care Technology Management, in September 2018.

The Oshawa campus features the state-of-the art Student Services building and will soon feature the Centre for Collaborative Education, a legacy project tied to DC’s 50th anniversary in 2017. The new facility will bring together local, Indigenous and global communities, providing a new home for several of the college’s most innovative and ground-breaking programs.

The Whitby campus features the award-winning W. Galen Weston Centre for Food, which includes Bistro ’67, a full-service, teaching-inspired restaurant, and Pantry, a retail store featuring food prepared by students in the college’s culinary programs.

For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

Forty-six positions available for 2018-2019 academic year

Oshawa, ON – Following its recent announcement of a $913.3 million economic impact to the region, Durham College (DC) is once again boosting the local economy by hiring 46 employees in faculty, administrative, support and corporate training services positions for the 2018-2019 academic year.

Given the latest Bank of Montreal labour trends report that ranked Oshawa first in Ontario and third in Canada in an analysis of the best Canadian cities to find employment, DC is hoping to attract top talent to join its already strong team, which currently sits at more than 2,436 full-time and contract employees.

“All our employees play a vital role in helping DC achieve its mission that the student experience comes first,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “We’re looking forward to welcoming these hires to our Oshawa and Whitby campuses and learning site in Pickering to help the college continue offering top-quality, experiential education.”

One of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers and Canada’s Greenest Employers, the college is also one of the top 50 research colleges in Canada. Employees enjoy extensive benefits and opportunities for growth and development while helping foster student success.

For more information about the upcoming opportunities and to learn why DC is a great place to work visitwww.durhamcollege.ca.

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 About Durham College

At Durham College (DC), the student experience comes first. With campuses in Oshawa and Whitby and a learning site in Pickering, the college offers more than 12,000 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students access to more than 140 full-time and eight apprenticeship programs in a number of different disciplines, enabling them to develop the skills required to meet the demands of today’s job market. The college is also set to launch its first four-year degree program, the Honours Bachelor of Health Care Technology Management, in September 2018.

The Oshawa campus features the state-of-the art Student Services building and will soon feature the Centre for Collaborative Education, a legacy project tied to DC’s 50th anniversary in 2017. The new facility will bring together local, Indigenous and global communities, providing a new home for several of the college’s most innovative and ground-breaking programs.

The Whitby campus features the award-winning W. Galen Weston Centre for Food, which includes Bistro ’67, a full-service, teaching-inspired restaurant, and Pantry, a retail store featuring food prepared by students in the college’s culinary programs.

For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

Media contacts:
Meghan Ney

Durham College
Communications and Marketing

meghan.ney@durhamcollege.ca

Durham College has a $913.3 million economic impact to Durham Region
One out of every 24 jobs in the region is supported by the college.

 Oshawa, ON – Durham College (DC) announced today that, it has a strong economic impact of $913.3 million to Durham Region, according to a recent study conducted by Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI).  This substantial contribution is equal to approximately 4.9 per cent of the area’s total gross regional product and supports 9,558 jobs, which means one out of every 24 jobs in the Durham Region is supported by the activities of DC and its students.

 The economic study reports, “The value of Durham College influences both the lives of students and also the Durham Region economy. The college serves a range of industries in the region and supplies local businesses with workers. Society as a whole in Ontario benefits from an expanded economy and an improved quality of life. The benefits created by Durham College extend as far as the provincial government in the form of increased tax revenues and public sector savings.”

 “We have always enjoyed a strong relationship with the broader community,” said Don Lovisa, president, DC. “We are proud of the role we play in providing access to high-quality, post-secondary education. By producing job-ready graduates who have the knowledge and skills they need to succeed, we are also ensuring they have the ability to become community builders in their own right, both personally and in their professional lives.

 The college also added $153.8 million in income to the region during the past year through its day-to-day operations, which is equivalent to supporting 2,320 jobs. Spending by DC in-region students during the same period was $34.1 million, which supports 978 jobs.

 The report also touched on the accumulated contribution of DC alumni currently employed in the regional workforce, equating the value at $725.4 million in added income in the region, equal to 6,260 jobs.

 “In addition to educating students, the college also offers partnerships, corporate training services and applied research services, which benefit businesses and organizations throughout the region,” said Lovisa. “In turn, the support we receive from the community plays a key role in our continued growth and development as an institution and for that we are extremely grateful.”

To view an infographic click here or to read the report click here.

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 About Durham College

At Durham College (DC), the student experience comes first. With campuses in Oshawa and Whitby and a learning site in Pickering, the college offers more than 12,000 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students access to more than 140 full-time and eight apprenticeship programs in a number of different disciplines, enabling them to develop the skills required to meet the demands of today’s job market. The college is also set to launch its first four-year degree program, the Honours Bachelor of Health Care Technology Management, in September 2018.

The Oshawa campus features the state-of-the art Student Services building and will soon feature the Centre for Collaborative Education, a legacy project tied to DC’s 50th anniversary in 2017. The new facility will bring together local, Indigenous and global communities, providing a new home for several of the college’s most innovative and ground-breaking programs.

The Whitby campus features the award-winning W. Galen Weston Centre for Food, which includes Bistro ’67, a full-service, teaching-inspired restaurant, and Pantry, a retail store featuring food prepared by students in the college’s culinary programs.

For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.