Durham College (DC) is pleased to announce that it has been named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for the fifth consecutive year, further emphasizing the college’s commitment to sustainability.

Awarded as part of the 2021 editorial competition organized by the Canada’s Top 100 Employers project, this designation recognizes employers who create remarkable workplaces that minimize the environmental impact of their operations. DC was evaluated on how it incorporates environmental values into its everyday culture, and how it attracts employees through its green initiatives.

This year, the college was recognized for its continued comprehensive approach to sustainability at both its Oshawa and Whitby campuses. From heating and cooling select buildings using geothermal energy, to growing and harvesting affordable food that produces little waste and few emissions at the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food (Weston Centre), DC continues to prioritize its green initiatives.

“As a leader in post-secondary education, it is our responsibility to pave the way for a greener future,” says Don Lovisa, president, DC. “Taking climate action through sustainable initiatives and capital projects is never easy – but as good corporate citizens, the positive impacts we’ve already made are worth the effort. While this award recognizes how far we’ve come, it also demonstrates our continued commitment to creating a culture of sustainability here at Durham College and beyond. Together, we are leading the way.”

Recent capital projects like the Simcoe Geothermal Field are recognized through this award as helping to reduce the demand for heating and cooling through natural gas, as well as electricity generation. The Energy Innovation Centre, which is also part of the geothermal field project, processes the power and is a living lab for DC students to learn about green energy, while the greenspace atop the geothermal field provides a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere for all employees and students to take advantage of.

At the Whitby campus, the Weston Centre is home to numerous sustainable features. There are agricultural growing fields, an apiary, greenhouse, pollinator garden and an arboretum, as well as some experimental projects, such as an old shipping container that has been transformed into a vertical hydroponic garden capable of producing 700 heads of lettuce per week, all year round. This innovative growing space uses 90 per cent less water than traditional farming methods, features LED lighting for growing and eliminates food miles – the distance food travels from where it is made to where it’s consumed.

You can read more about why DC was selected for this award online.

Thanks to Fraser Ford and Ford of Canada, students studying in the Durham College’s (DC) Motive Power Technician – Service and Management program and Levels 1, 2 and 3 automotive apprenticeships will have the opportunity to develop in-demand skills, while also gaining valuable hands-on experience by working on a 2020 Ford F-150 Raptor.

Donated as part of Ford Canada’s nationwide initiative to provide 95 vehicles to automotive technology educational institutions across the country, the students will be able to put the skills they are learning in class to good use while working on the truck.

“Supporting our local community has been a core value here at Fraser Ford for our more than 26 years in operation,” said Carlee Fraser, vice president and general manager, Fraser Ford. “As a past board member for Durham College, I’m delighted to continue to support the students in this valuable program. We’re excited to see them continue to grow in this industry and continue to advance their knowledge with access to this new vehicle.”

While the truck had been damaged due to flooding last year, it has been given a new lease on life as the perfect training tool.

“On behalf of the students and faculty in our automotive programs at Durham College, I want to offer a heartfelt thank you for this gift,” said Dr. Rebecca Milburn, executive dean, School of Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship & Renewable Technology, and principal, Whitby Campus. “The donation of the 2020 Ford F-150 Raptor will enhance our ability to train students and support our primary goal of preparing job-ready graduates.”

In addition to hands-on learning opportunities, students will also gain access to Ford Canada’s online Automotive Career Exploration (ACE) training, a subset of web-based programs comprised of the same courses taken by current dealer technicians.

“Fraser Ford’s donation will be a great asset to our students’ practical experience,” said Ralph Ruffo, co-ordinator for DC’s Motive Power programs. “The addition of ACE is an added bonus and will allow them to become familiar with Ford technology, while also allowing them to participate in real-time factory training.”

For more information on DC’s programs or apprenticeships, please visit http://www.durhamcollege.ca/start.

The Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE) and the Student Affairs office at Durham College (DC) are pleased to announce $492,654 in funding from Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada to support eligible students enrolled in six of the college’s Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) programs this semester.

CEWIL Canada has a long history of supporting DC and its WIL-related initiatives. The new CEWIL Innovation Hub (iHUB), which is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Innovative Work-Integrated Learning Initiative (I-WIL), is a program dedicated to developing career-ready students through quality WIL-training. Acting as a centre of expertise for grant-based funding, the CEWIL iHUB launched its first call for proposals in 2021.

DC students from a variety of programs will benefit from this funding, including:

• Practical Nursing and Personal Support Worker – Through the Financial Support Grant for Frontline Health Care WIL Requirements, frontline health care students at DC with winter semester placements – many of whom were impacted by COVID-19 closures– will be eligible to receive financial support for WIL-related expenses, including pre-placement requirements, transportation, technology and childcare. The goal of this program is to expand access to WIL opportunities, particularly to students in underrepresented populations.
• Chemical Engineering Technology – Students in their final year of the program will complete a high-impact field placement in chemical engineering technology laboratory enhancement and equipment repair. Students will benefit from access to current, industry-relevant technology, such as chemical process simulation software and hands-on experience developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for in-house use of these technologies. The experience will enable students to employ practical troubleshooting techniques for equipment repair and calibration contributing to their career-readiness.
• Video Production and Photography – Students will partner with the K.M. Hunter Charitable Foundation to experience the arts and culture sector while producing communication materials centred around Ontario’s contemporary Indigenous arts community. The funding will allow students to leverage new technology, adapt to COVID-19 limitations and explore new approaches to remote digital film production using 360-degree angle cameras, lighting and sound enhancements.
• Fitness and Health Promotion – In collaboration with experts from Ontario Tech University, DC students will implement wearable technologies and use sports science techniques to assist in developing unique training programs for elite varsity athletes. This funding will foster opportunities for DC students to leverage the fitness industry’s leading-edge technology, such as the Kinduct training platform, used by over 450 professional and elite sports teams to analyze data from wearable technologies to customize training programs. This experience will familiarize Fitness and Health students with technologies used in their field, bridging the gap as they enter the workplace.

“This funding demonstrates CEWIL Canada’s dedication to the training of future professionals and the value work-integrated learning programs add to the student experience,” says Dr. Elaine Popp, executive vice president, Academic. “After an unprecedented year, this support will benefit many of our students whose academic paths have faced numerous challenges.”

“This investment will have an incredible impact on unique, experiential learning opportunities that ensure our students are better prepared with the skills required for today’s changing workplace,” says Debbie McKee Demczyk, dean, Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship. “We are incredibly grateful for CEWIL Canada’s commitment to student success.”

As part of DC’s commitment to provide unique experiential learning opportunities to students, WIL has been a vital part of DC’s framework and student experience for decades, embedded as a formal component in many programs of study.

More than 2,000 Durham College (DC) students and alumni spent the first two weeks of March working to achieve their goals and launch their careers during the college’s virtual Gear Up to Get Hired at Home events and Career Fair.

From March 1 to 11, DC’s Career Development office organized numerous career-focused webinars and virtual events, which included valuable advice on how to create a personal pitch, resumé writing techniques, virtual interview tactics, and more, preparing them for DC’s largest Virtual Career Fair to date on March 11.

This year, the annual Virtual Career Fair brought in 142 potential employers for students and alumni to meet, including those currently hiring for part-time, summer and seasonal work. Over 2,700 job seekers accessed the event platform in the month leading up to the fair to visit virtual booths and research the participating employers.  Organizations involved represented a mix of economic sectors, including business, community services, manufacturing, skilled trades, information technology, engineering, health care, hospitality and justice.

In previous years, in order to participate, companies were required to be hiring within six months of the fair. Due to COVID-19, the event was open to companies not in a position to hire at the moment, but looking to build brand awareness among DC students, so they could begin to map out how they would like their career to look down the road.

DC’s Career Development office provides students and alumni with year-round support for all things career-related, including support for career exploration, resumé building and cover letter writing, interviewing skills and job search strategies. To learn more, please visit www.durhamcollege.ca/careerdevelopment.

Today marks the one-year anniversary of the World Health Organization declaring COVID-19 a global pandemic. In light of March 11 being named a national day of observance, we reflect on the past 12 months – the impact the virus has had on our world and the lives it has changed – and are reminded that despite the obstacles we’ve faced, we’ve still found a way to rise to every challenge.

Watch the video below:

In a year of change, our students, employees and community have donated their time and ingenuity, kept our frontline heroes safe while supporting vulnerable populations, and discovered new ways to work and learn. Durham College (DC) has kept the health and safety of our people at the forefront of all our decisions and has ensured our students continue to learn the theory and hands-on skills they need to be in demand.

Here are just a few of the ways DC has been leading the way this year.

DC puts 3D printers into action, making PPE for donation to workers on the frontline of COVID-19

Working out of their garages and basements, 16 DC employees, students and alumni embarked on an inspiring journey in March 2020 to create the frames for face shields used by health care workers on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic. In just a few months, the team grew to an impressive 62 volunteer members using 83 3D printers and raised nearly $16,000 in funds to support the initiative. Members produced 6,350 face shield headbands and 32,700 ear savers that relieve the pressure of elastic bands used to hold face masks in place.

Journalism students put learning to work, gain real-work experience creating COVID-cation podcast

Faced with COVID-19-related cancellations and postponements of their field placements, six DC Journalism – Mass Media students decided to create their own real-work experience. The result was COVID-cation, a weekly podcast produced by students for students. Each episode focused on a specific theme – from education and emotional well-being to finances – while exploring the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on students of all ages.

Virtual Open House engages 3,600 visitors in online experience

More than 3,600 prospective students and their families have explored DC digitally through the college’s Spring and Fall Virtual Open House events, both of which were huge successes. Providing guests with an inside look at the DC student experience, DC is gearing up to offer students a third Virtual Open House on Saturday, March 27.

DC on the Frontlines – meet our frontline heroes!

Last year, DC launched a new initiative, DC on the Frontlines, to honour and shine a light on our college community members serving and protecting others in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and well beyond. You can now meet some of our DC frontline heroes through a virtual gallery.

Durham College recognizes the class of 2020

They may not have crossed the stage at the Tribute Communities Centre, but more than 4,800 DC graduates were recognized through various online and physical festivities designed to acknowledge and celebrate their hard work and achievements. The class of 2020 will be invited to attend an in-person ceremony when it is safe to do so, however, DC recognized the importance of marking the accomplishments of its graduates upon completion of their credentials and created a Convocation Recognition website.

DC’s Working Across Borders project continues to make a global impact during COVID-19

Four years ago, Durham College (DC) started an innovative Working Across Borders (WAB) course for business students, which allows them to engage with various international institutions around the world through virtual collaborative learning. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, last fall more than 500 students from all over the world joined more than 120 DC students, many of which are international, from the Project Management and International Business Management post-graduate programs. Using the Rotary Global Classroom, DC’s live-stream venue, partners from Germany, Belgium, Slovenia, Netherlands, Russia, Finland, Italy, Ecuador, Bangladesh, and Indonesia came together for a kickoff session to discuss project details and to meet their teammates and 2020 WAB project partner and client, Seventh Generation.

DC launches two new degree programs and a graduate certificate for in-demand jobs

DC received consent from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities this year to offer two new degree programs which will address labour shortages being experienced in two of Canada’s hottest job sectors – construction management and artificial intelligence. Following the success of DC’s first degree programs launched in 2017 and 2019, the new Honours Bachelor of Construction Management (HBCM) and Honours Bachelor of Artificial Intelligence (HBAI) are currently accepting applications for September 2021. In addition to the degree programs, DC has also launched a new graduate certificate in Pharmaceutical Science for students with previous post-secondary experience.

DC celebrates successful Campus Food Drive

Thanks to the generosity of our campus community, the 2020 Campus Food Drive raised more than $22,000 to help 384 students in need. The food drive bursary supported qualifying full-time students (married/sole support) with families and students living away from home and experiencing food insecurity.

DC launches Personal Support Worker Accelerated program

DC is launching a new Personal Support Worker (PSW) Accelerated program with start dates in April, May and June in response to a provincial government initiative. The tuition and ancillary fees for accepted students will be covered by the Ontario government and students will graduate with full credentials and ready for employment within six months.

These ways in which we have learned to adapt and thrive over the last 12 months, despite the challenges set before us, demonstrates the resilience, passion and innovation found in the DC community. As we look forward, we will continue to lead the way.

Durham College (DC) has been providing curriculum and program development expertise to Vietnam’s Hua Giang Community College (HGCC) since 2014 as part of the Vietnam Skills for Employment Project. Funded by Global Affairs Canada, the partnership and project has resulted in the development of the country’s first college-level food and pharmaceutical science technology program, and further aims to improve access and quality of skills training in Vietnamese colleges. DC will continue to celebrate this partnership as HGCC sees its first graduates of the program accept their credentials.

DC has been offering students access to its  Chemical Laboratory Technology – Food Science program (formerly the Pharmaceutical and Food Science) and previous Pharmaceutical and Food Science fast-track program for more than 40 years. With this expertise, the college was able to host capacity-building workshops to guide HGCC in the development and implementation of a new Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) curriculum, ensuring an emphasis on gender equality, environmental sustainability and entrepreneurship. As well, DC has provided guidance on marketing, recruitment, governance and student support services during on-campus trips from HGCC educators, offering expertise from DC’s academic leadership team, faculty, students services and career development offices.

“Our partnership with Hua Giang Community College gave us the opportunity to learn from one another and share best practices in student-centered teaching,” said Jacqueline Towell, manager, International Projects and Partnerships, DC. “The Vietnam Skills for Employment Project is an excellent example of post-secondary institutions coming together for students here in Canada and in Vietnam.”

To help HGCC’s students enhance a wide variety of pharmaceutical analysis skills, microbiology and food product development, DC helped HGCC to design and integrate three new labs, including an instrumentation lab, food science lab and microbiology Lab.

Project components also included strategies for increasing student recruitment and retention; improving access to marginalized groups through career guidance, enhanced programs and services; and building long-term, sustainable relationships with local industry. Instructors developed 29 new competency-based courses, including the integration of gender-sensitive pedagogy, industry standards and environmental sustainability.  

“All of our delegates felt truly at home when we were visiting and working with DC,” said Trinh Nguyen, international project co-ordinator, HGCC. “We continue to apply the valuable lessons learned every day to further develop Hua Giang Community College.”