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DC’s Enactus team wins 2021 Central Canada Regional Championship

The Durham College (DC) Enactus team, EnactusDC, recently won its first-ever regional championship at the 2021 Enactus Canada Regional Exposition in the Scotiabank Climate Action Challenge, for Project 3eeHive.

A branded apparel social enterprise, Project 3eeHive is focused on education, empowering consumers, and collectively restoring bee habitats.

“I’m extremely proud of our team’s commitment this year despite the obstacles we faced,” said Heather Brown, student president of EnactusDC, who just finished her third year with the team. “Because of COVID we had to shift to virtual operations in March 2020 and were one of the few student Enactus teams to continue operating during the pandemic. However, the culture we’ve built has kept us going. This win reinforces our commitment to the competition, as well as social enterprise, and demonstrates our drive to make sustainable change.”

The team now moves on to the Enactus National Exposition, where 66 teams from colleges and universities across Canada will compete.

“Being a member of the DC Enactus team has been an incredible opportunity for me to put everything I’ve learned from my program to the test,” said Cameron Billingham, a second-year Photography student. “It’s been a fantastic way for me to meet and work with a great group of people and I’m excited for the next stage of the competition.”

Enactus is an international non-profit dedicated to creating social change through entrepreneurship. DC’s chapter launched in 2016 through FastStart DC and is comprised of student leaders looking to make positive social impacts in the community.

For more information on how to get involved with EnactusDC, visit www.enactusdc.com.

DC helps more than 2,000 students gear up to get hired at its Virtual Career Fair

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.

DC supporting Ontario’s workforce in acquiring in-demand skills with new micro-credential

Durham College (DC) is pleased to announce its latest micro-credential, Ultrasonic Testing Level II. Designed to meet the demands of industry by quickly teaching highly sought-after skills, DC is the only college in Ontario to offer this level of qualifying certification for the in-demand field of Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE).

Offered through the college’s School of Science & Engineering Technology (SET), the development of Ultrasonic Testing Level II micro-credential is an example of the strong link that exists between post-secondary institutions and industry.

“Initially we were approached by Ontario Power Generation (OPG) to offer the ultrasonic testing training to its employees,” said Michelle Hutt, executive dean, SET. “As we anticipate the demand for qualified NDE inspectors will continue to grow based on expected retirements and, thanks to the college’s expert faculty and specialized laboratory testing equipment, we are well-positioned to teach these skills.”

“DC’s School of Science & Engineering Technology offers high-calibre training in an industrial setting, led by facilitators who ensure the training meets the type of performance excellence demanded by our industry,” said Scott Burns, Vice President, Emergency Services and Training, OPG. “The long-standing educational partnership between OPG and DC continues to add value to our training programs as well as to the skill development of our employees.”

After agreeing to train OPG’s employees, DC made the decision to offer the Ultrasonic Testing Level II micro-credential more broadly.

“It is important to teach students methods that industry demands they know,” said Hutt. “Within the NDE field, employers will not consider job applicants without non-destructive testing (NDT) certification from the Canadian General Standards Board. When compared to other non-destructive testing (NDT) methods, ultrasonic testing is the most cost-effective, however, it is a skill that requires a specialized learning environment.”

Designed to help those studying to be an NDE professional, as well as those currently working in the industry quickly develop their skills, successful completion of the micro-credential will mean that they meet the educational requirements to be eligible to write the Level II Ultrasonic Testing (UT) certification exam.

Developed following a rigorous quality assurance process, the micro-credential requires students to complete case studies and hands-on laboratory applications to build their competencies, confidence and employability. 

DC and OPG renew successful longstanding partnership

Durham College (DC) is pleased to announce Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) continued championing of skilled trades development and training thanks to a $500,000 donation provided through OPG’s Centre for Canadian Nuclear Sustainability (CCNS). The funds are supporting the ongoing construction of DC’s Whitby Campus Expansion project.

“We are excited to continue our longstanding relationship with OPG,” said Don Lovisa, President, Durham College. “As a key player in the skilled trades industry, they truly understand the importance of training the next generation of tradespeople. In choosing to direct funds to the college’s latest capital project, which will see an additional 750 seats added at the Whitby campus, they are helping DC continue our tradition of educational excellence, while also ensuring there is a pipeline of qualified graduates to support the success of the nuclear industry as a whole and help OPG achieve their organizational goals.”

OPG recently opened the CCNS, a world-class facility that will attract skilled jobs, innovative businesses, and economic development to the Durham Region. Whether working on collaborative research or planning for the decommissioning of the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station, one the CCNS goals is to create jobs to benefit Ontario’s economy, including a variety of skilled trades roles. As such, supporting DC’s efforts to increase its educational capabilities in those related fields, through capital development, is a natural fit.

“OPG and the CCNS, is extremely proud to support Durham College’s latest capital project,” said Carla Carmichael, Vice President, Nuclear Decommissioning Strategies. “Investing in this state-of-the-art facility, designed for hands-on learning, is just the latest milestone in our funding partnership with the college.”

In addition to the latest $500,000 contribution, the 15-year partnership with DC has resulted in more than $5.5 million to support numerous initiatives and programs throughout the college. These include the development of DC’s first-ever Boiler and X-ray labs, funding towards specialized pre-apprenticeship programs, purchasing of specialized equipment and instruments for numerous other technology labs, sponsoring the Young Women in Science Technology and Trades Conference, establishing paid internship and co-op programs at OPG, and funding student scholarships and bursaries.

In return, the college has been able to support OPG through training for its own employees, as they seek to find innovative solutions for the nuclear industry.

“For more then 15 years, DC has played a key role in meeting OPG’s needs for well-educated and enthusiastic people to join our company or work on our capital projects, such as the Darlington Station Nuclear Refurbishment Project,” said Carmichael. “We believe this investment is beneficial for both entities as it creates opportunities for students, who as graduates will help support the CCNS’ mission and sustain a skilled workforce needed for the industry’s future projects.”

Reflecting on a year of challenge and change as DC shares optimism for the year ahead

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.

DC helps Vietnamese college develop new food and pharmaceutical science technology program

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.”

Durham College now accepting applications for PSW Accelerated program

Following the Ontario government’s recent announcement, Durham College (DC) is pleased to share it is accepting applications for the new Personal Support Worker (PSW) Accelerated program, with start dates offered in April, May and June.

The tuition and ancillary fees for accepted students will be covered by the Ontario government and they will graduate with full credentials within six months; the standard PSW program at DC takes eight months to complete.

With more study hours per week, the accelerated program will use a hybrid model that combines remote learning with in-person practical experience, consisting of taking courses virtually and participating in laboratory classes and in care settings. After three months, students will also be able to participate in paid work placements, in long-term care homes and other settings.

“This accelerated version of the college’s PSW program is going to have a positive impact on students and the community,” said Dr. Elaine Popp, executive vice president, Academic, Durham College. “Demand for graduates with these vital skills has never been higher and we are happy to partner with the province to help meet it.”

PSWs serve as front-line workers whose responsibilities focus on providing compassionate, client-centred care to enhance and maintain the quality of everyday life for client populations across all institutional, community care and service settings.

Through dedicated faculty, enhanced curriculum, skills and certifications obtained in the course of study, and implementation of several interprofessional education and simulation opportunities, students will graduate well-prepared and job-ready to support the community.

Students who are currently enrolled in the winter 2021 intake of the traditional PSW program, as well as those planning to enroll for fall 2021, are eligible to receive a $2,000 bursary to support their studies.

More information about the PSW Accelerated program, including admission requirements, answers to FAQs, and details to apply can be found online.

Campus Ice Centre to become Durham Region COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic

Durham College (DC) is proud to partner with Ontario Tech University, the Regional Municipality of Durham and Durham Region Public Health (DRPH) to support our community in its fight against COVID-19.

As part of its COVID-19 vaccination roll-out plan, Durham Region and DRPH have selected the Campus Ice Centre (CIC) at DC and Ontario Tech as the region’s Oshawa COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic location.

While the clinic is running, one ice pad at the CIC will remain open for student, employee and community recreational use by appointment/rental.

More information about the Durham Region vaccination roll-out plan, including additional clinic locations, operations, appointments and priority groups, can be found on the Durham Region Public Health website.

For more information about DC’s response to COVID-19, please visit www.durhamcollege.ca/coronavirus.

Durham College and Ontario Tech University celebrate successful Campus Food Drive

Thanks to the generosity of the Durham College and Ontario Tech University communities, the 2020 Campus Food Drive raised more than $22,000 to help 384 students in need.

“In a year like no other, we are grateful for the continued support from our employees and their dedication to our students during the holiday season,” says Kevin Griffin, professor in the School of Justice and Emergency Services at DC and co-chair of the Campus Food Drive. “During a particularly challenging year for our students, our employees once again came through – and although we couldn’t accept food donations and pack hampers this year, we were still able to support our students through fundraising efforts for the new Campus Food Drive bursary.”

The food drive bursary supported qualifying full-time students (married/sole support) with families, and students who are living away from home and experiencing food insecurity.

“Food insecurity is an unfortunate reality for some,” says Kevin. “Although the Campus Food Drive efforts may look different moving forward, the goal and the spirit of the initiative remains the same. We hope that this bursary will continue to be an important part of assisting students in need in the future.”

The Campus Food Drive is an annual campaign organized by Durham College and Ontario Tech with support from employees, alumni, students and community members.

DC researcher leads co-design of youth-led housing hub model for youth living on their own

Old enough to live on their own but too young to receive social assistance directly, Ontario’s Trusteed Youth (TY) face challenges no child should.

Through a two-year research project funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) through the College and Community Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF), Durham College (DC) researcher Lorraine Closs found that TY often face precarious housing situations and homelessness, food insecurity, mental and physical health concerns and more. These issues are largely due to the challenge of navigating a complex and overburdened social services system and lack of safe and affordable housing options.

TY represent a unique and particularly vulnerable population, relying on a community agency to act as their “trustee” so they can collect Ontario Works assistance. They live alone without the opportunity to approach independence in a gradual and supported manner, and lack suitable role models and guidance that would generally be provided in a family setting.

Established in partnership with the Regional Municipality of Durham, Durham District School Board, Durham Mental Health Services, Boys and Girls Club of Durham, and the John Howard Society of Canada, the DC applied research project, which concluded in December, has resulted in the development of a ground-breaking alternative housing hub model co-designed for youth, by youth. It has also provided valuable insight into how the system can best meet the needs of TY while informing future policy recommendations for supporting youth living on their own.

“By directly involving trusteed youth in the development of this housing hub, we were able to support their needs, while also helping them improve their knowledge of the service system and increase their sense of personal competency and possibilities for the future,” said Closs, who also teaches at the college in the Social Service Worker program. “It’s our hope that the insights and recommendations developed as a result of this valuable research will help inform service design and delivery here at home and across the country, and that this project will become a catalyst in ensuring brighter futures for our trusteed youth.”

During the project, Closs gathered survey feedback from 43 current TY, as well as 30 service providers from 22 agencies across the region to better understand the obstacles facing both groups. With this data, she hosted three in-person co-design sessions and a virtual consensus building session with community service providers and TY. At these sessions, they co-designed the youth housing hub model and strategized policies that would improve the coordination and collaboration of services for youth living on their own.

“The Region of Durham is committed to ending chronic homelessness in our community,” said commissioner of social services, Stella Danos-Papaconstantinou. “We know that the needs of youth who experience precarious housing and homelessness are different than those of adults. This research amplifies the voices of vulnerable Durham youth and the service providers working with them to co-design a transitional, supportive housing model.  We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Durham College on this applied research and bring data, rigor and the voice of youth to proposed housing solutions inspired by their experiences.”

Other recommendations that came out of the research include:

  • Bundling services for youth by creating school hubs.
  • Creating drop-in style supports to by-pass complex referral and waitlist processes.
  • Intervention services for landlord disputes and funding incentives for landlords who rent to youth.
  • A designated case worker assigned to TY to help navigate the service system.
  • Flexibility around communication options for youth to access service supports.
  • Access to free transportation for youth.
  • Affordable, safe transitional housing options to prevent the onset of chronic homelessness.
  • Improved process for changing schools without parental consent.
  • Life skills guidance for the seamless transition from adolescence to adulthood.
  • Inclusion of youth in the development of youth services.

The full research report, including key findings, implications and recommendations are available to view online, in addition to a short film that was produced to disseminate the findings of the research.

This project was proudly supported by DC’s Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE). ORSIE provides support to social innovation projects through access to funding opportunities, faculty expertise, state-of-the-art research facilities, and student learning experiences. In partnership with industry and community agencies, applied research projects are carried out by DC faculty experts and students and administered by ORSIE. To connect with ORSIE, please reach out online.