Access to educational resources will help tackle food insecurity, inspire sustainable practices

Community education and engagement is the focus of a new food security and sustainability initiative launched by Durham College’s Barrett Centre for Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture (Barrett Centre), in partnership with the Town of Ajax through their new corporate giving program, the Ajax Partnership Fund.

The Barrett Centre’s new Food Literacy Innovation Zone aims to address challenges in food security and supply chains through the lens of urban agriculture by educating local community members about nutrition, gaining access to food and incorporating local and healthy food into their lifestyle.

“Food insecurity and supply chain constraints can lead to a lack of nutritious food that is accessible to the community, especially those who may be unable to locate a variety of food close to home,” said Brenna Bizley, partnership manager at the Barrett Centre. “Having educational materials in conjunction with the Barrett Centre Ajax Urban Farm will have an exponential impact on the community as people learn about the impact of food on their health and the importance of growing locally.”

The Zone, which is now under construction, will be based out of the Barrett Centre Ajax Urban Farm in North Ajax. At the farm, three garden models will be designed – a pollinator garden, home garden and balcony garden – and will act as a template to inspire community members to grow their own food at home. There will also be knowledge sharing through resources and materials to support and enhance food literacy via direct community engagements and the Barrett Centre Community Portal, coming in fall 2023.

“Ajax Council and the Town of Ajax are proud to support the Barrett Centre’s new Food Literacy Innovation Zone through the Ajax Partnership Fund. Thank you to Durham College for partnering with the Town to be able to offer these important resources to our community. This investment reinforces Ajax’s commitment to being a municipal leader in green and sustainable practices to ensure a healthier Ajax for all,” said Mayor Shaun Collier.

 To recognize the farm’s launch and the partners who have supported the Barrett Centre projects to date, DC and the Town of Ajax will host an Open House event in October 2023, where community members will have the chance to explore the farm and Food Literacy Innovation Zone.

Durham College (DC) is proud to announce a partnership with Blue Door aimed at impacting social change by empowering those facing barriers to autonomous and full-time employment within the skilled trades. Thanks to funding from the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, this collaboration provides participants with access to a program called Construct, where they receive professional and personal development opportunities to transition them to independent and profitable employment in the construction industry.

“DC is thrilled to collaborate with Blue Door on this three-week training program and we’re very proud of what the participants accomplish throughout their training,” said Rebecca Milburn, principal of DC’s Whitby campus and executive dean of the Faculty of Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship. “At DC, we’re preparing the next generation of skilled trades workers to help support the needs of our growing communities. Our expert faculty prepare the participants for the high-demand workforce with hands-on learning and intensive support so they can successfully enter the skilled trades industry.”

Expert faculty from DC’s Building Construction and Carpentry and Renovation programs are providing training to 20 participants this summer in the college’s state-of-the-art carpentry shop.  In addition to the participants building several construction projects, they will also receive Health & Safety Training, First Aid & CPR, and Working at Heights training certificates. While participants discover the world of carpentry in the Construct program, they also receive immense support and guidance from DC faculty while making connections with unions and employers.

“This partnership with Durham College allows for participants in the Construct program living in Durham Region to receive skills-based and experiential training from faculty at the college,” said Rudi Genovese, director, Social Enterprise at Construct. “The certifications and training gained will set up our participants to obtain meaningful job opportunities that will start building their career in the trades. By connecting participants with Durham College, Construct is able to support them in building strong relationships and career paths in their community.”

This carpentry pilot training program is expected to continue in the future and create a ripple effect within Durham Region to help empower the most vulnerable with profitable and rewarding careers. Visit DC online to kickstart your career in the skilled trades today or explore the Blue Door Construct program for training details.

To help connect those considering Durham College (DC) with current students, DC has launched a new Student Ambassador program. More than a dozen students from various Faculties and programs are now available to answer questions, share their unique perspectives and describe their student-life experiences to help prospective students make a more informed decision about Durham College.

“The Student Ambassador program will help incoming students and those considering DC make peer-to-peer connections, an invaluable offering that provides authentic insights, experiences, and opinions from some of the college’s best students,’” says Debbie Johnston, associate vice-president, Academic, Enrolment and International Education. “We’re thrilled to see this new program unfold and to share everything DC has to offer in a new and impactful way.”

Student ambassadors are prepared to discuss a wide range of topics including DC’s campus and learning environments, opportunities to get involved while at college, support services available to students, academic workload and so much more.

“I would have loved the opportunity to connect with a current student going through the college experience when I was applying to Durham College, which is why I decided to be a student ambassador,” says Kathryn Fullerton, a first-year student in DC’s Faculty of Skilled Trades & Apprenticeship. “I hope to be able to answer peoples’ questions, ease their minds, and make the experience as stress-free as possible.”

The program is accessible through the DC website and provides a safe space to share authentic questions and experiences. New DC applicants who would like to connect with an ambassador simply need to create an account, message the ambassador of their choice and they will receive a response within 48 hours.

The new program will not only provide information and fresh insights to prospective students, but it will also help them build new connections with peers to boost their sense of belonging and become more confident about choosing DC for their post-secondary education.

Would you like to connect with an ambassador? 15 students are ready to hear from you today.

Today marks the release of Durham College’s (DC) 2022-2023 Annual Report, Leading the Way.

The report is filled with examples of the past year’s notable initiatives, programs and events that demonstrate how, at DC, we’re leading the way.

It also includes several videos of our students who share their perspectives on the welcoming and supportive community we have worked hard to establish.

“Every day, our employees, students, Board of Governors, alumni, and industry and community partners bring our mission to life,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “I am so proud of our achievements this year and look ahead with energy and enthusiasm.”

Please explore the report and find out why the future is bright at DC.

Two Durham College (DC) students are packing their suitcases after qualifying for this month’s Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) World Championship in Orlando, Florida.

Ryanna Law (Accounting – Business) and Blake Dawson (Marketing – Business Administration) competed in the MOS Canadian Championship in June. Students who excel in their MOS exams (which are embedded into a number of DC’s Faculty of Business programs) can compete in the virtual event to showcase their skills and knowledge.

Both DC students were tasked with using Word or Excel to create a new document or presentation. That was followed by a quiz on the finer points of their respective program.

“I was a little bit nervous because I wasn’t fully sure what to expect going into it,” explained Law. “It just seemed like something fun to do.”

Dawson had a similar approach to the competition.

“It wasn’t too stressful for me, since I didn’t really think I would win anything from it and entered with low expectations,” he said.

Both were pleasantly surprised. Law finished first in the PowerPoint 2019 category while Dawson was second in Word 2019. All first-place finishers earned a trip to the upcoming World Championship, July 30 – August 2. The winner of the Word category bowed out, paving the way for Dawson to join the trip.

“It’s an extremely cool opportunity that I didn’t think I’d be able to have, so I’m extremely thankful and excited,” said Law.

The success of the DC pair came as no surprise to their professors.

“As a professor, you can predict those who will excel in the course. Ryanna was one such student who exhibited dedication and commitment to the class,” said Jacqueline Russell, who taught Law in Business Computer Applications 1.

Muhammad Rashid taught Blake in the same course.

“I am proud and highly excited to hear of Blake’s success in the Canadian Championship,” he said.

Students who excel in their MOS exams have an edge in the job market, with recruiters and prospective employers looking for students who have an aptitude for Microsoft Office. That’s why DC prioritizes it, according to Jennifer Souch, a professor in the Faculty of Business.

“MOS certifications are highly valuable and offer numerous benefits. Recognized globally, they showcase essential skills and improve job prospects,” she said. “MOS certifications give students a competitive edge, enabling efficient communication, data analysis, and presentation creation. Ultimately, they enhance professional development, leading the way for success in the job market.”

But first, Law and Dawson will proudly represent DC in Florida later this month.

Durham College (DC) is proud to partner with Johnson Controls to help meet the growing need for skilled technology workers in Ontario by providing Electromechanical Engineering Technology students with financial support as well as mentorship opportunities.

DC has been approved for a grant from Johnson Controls that will provide:

• Annual entrance bursaries valued at $2,000 each to five students who demonstrate financial need and belong to an equity-deserving group entering their first semester of studies in the Electromechanical Engineering Technology program.
• Opportunities for students to be mentored and connect on and off campus with Johnson Controls employees to gain additional insight into their future careers.
• New equipment that will support DC’s Electromechanical Engineering Technology curriculum and the establishment of a new building automation lab.
• Opportunities to share the benefits of this program with new prospective students.

The college will receive $95,000 this year, plus $5,000 in equipment, with the total $100,000 commitment renewable for three more years.

“We are grateful for this partnership with Johnson Controls and its generous support to further strengthen our Electromechancial Engineering Technology program and its students,” said Don Lovisa, Durham College president. “With this gift, we will continue to lead the way by developing knowledgeable and experienced graduates who are able to step into rewarding technical careers that can make a difference in our communities.”

Local Johnson Controls employees – many of whom are graduates from DC’s Electromechanical Engineering Technology program – will work with the college to mentor students in this automation program. Through relationship building with industry professionals, students will gain insight into their future career paths. “Not only are we investing in the next generation of workforce leaders, but the mentoring associated with this initiative reminds our employees why we do what we do,” said Julie Brandt, president of Building Solutions North America at Johnson Controls. “We’re looking at our future and through partnership with these colleges we’re all contributing to a better-supported trades industry.”

DC’s three-year Electromechanical Engineering Technology program combines electronics design, mechanical technologies and industrial automation. Students receive access to our world-class Integrated Manufacturing Centre, where they can engage with real-world controllers, robotics and more. This hands-on experience prepares them for successful careers as they gain the skills needed to design and troubleshoot automated systems used in various technical industries.

Since 2021, the Johnson Controls Community College Partnership Program has distributed $1 million annually across 10 community colleges in North America, focusing on vocational programs to inspire the next generation of workers. Grant recipients have the opportunity to receive a renewed grant for up to three years, creating long-term opportunities for program development. Each college has the option to receive the grants in full monetary value or to receive partial monetary funds along with technical equipment donated by Johnson Controls. Durham College is the only Canadian institution to receive funding this year and just the second in the program’s history.

 First-year students beginning DC’s Electromechanical Engineering Technology program in September 2023 can apply for the Johnson Controls entrance bursary online.

Oshawa’s PulsePoint partners welcomed over 80 members of the community to Durham College (DC) on June 22 to learn CPR and other life-saving skills.

Student volunteers from the DC/Ontario Tech University Campus Emergency Response Team (CERT) led the training, sharing their expertise on how to properly perform CPR as well as how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED). They also touched on important topics like naloxone, epinephrine, and infant and child CPR.

As a partner in the PulsePoint initiative (which also includes Oshawa Fire Services, General Motors, Ontario Tech University, Lakeridge Health and the Durham Region Critical Incident Stress Support Team), DC was an ideal host for the event.

“At Durham College, we care about the health and well-being of our campus and broader community and we are committed to providing teaching and learning opportunities that support that,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “As a leader in technology-enhanced solutions, we are proud to join the PulsePoint partners on this initiative to offer life-saving CPR technology.”

The event provided essential training while promoting the PulsePoint mobile apps that are free to download in Oshawa and the surrounding area (Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge).

The PulsePoint Respond app alerts users when someone nearby is in need of CPR, and locates the nearest AED. The Pulsepoint AED app includes a registry of potentially life-saving tools like AEDs, bleeding control kits, naloxone and epinephrine.

Giving people the skills, knowledge and equipment to make a difference in life-threatening scenarios is critical according to Thomas Bezruki, manager, Emergency Management for DC and Ontario Tech.

“CPR and AED can save lives. This public awareness and education event can help save someone’s life in an emergency,” he said. “When a person is suffering a sudden cardiac arrest event, CPR before professional help arrives gives the best chance of survival.”

For more information on the PulsePoint apps, visit this website.

December 2023 Update: Thanks to DC’s superior welding, Space Concordia recently completed its first successful full-scale test to validate the rockets engine control systems, ground control systems, telecommunications and propulsion system. The team is thrilled with the results and will continue to make improvements and optimizations for future tests to prepare for launch in 2024.

Experts from Durham College’s welding program helped achieve a significant milestone in the pursuit of space exploration with Space Concordia.

A number of DC’s expert welding faculty worked collaboratively for a year to design, test, build and weld the fuel propulsion system for a Base 11 challenge rocket named Starsailor. The space-capable rocket was transported and assembled at Concordia’s Loyola campus and was successfully mounted and raised on the launch tower, making it Canada’s largest and the world’s most powerful student-built rocket.

“DC’s welding program has an excellent reputation, which is why Space Concordia initially contacted me in 2019 about this project,” said Gregg Peel, DC welding professor, who facilitated the project. “We met every standard the Concordia engineers set for us, and the rocket set an amateur record for producing 35kN of thrust during a test fire, making it the most powerful student-built rocket ever created.”

DC is leading the way in skilled trades, and its Welding Engineering Technician program is sure to play an integral role in the projected growth of the aerospace industry in Canada. Brian Glen, one of DC’s welding professors who helped build the rocket, says DC is aligned with the evolution of the industry.

“The welding industry is advancing with the use of robotics and computer automation, which is why we use innovative equipment and current procedures. We also have strong industry partnerships that help teach and prepare students with what they need to be career-ready post-graduation.”

Space Concordia is preparing Starsailor for flight next summer as it continues its journey toward the stars.