Info for
Quick links
Download our Mobile app
Icon for Apple. App Store Icon for Android. Google Play

Durham College to expand skilled training with support from $75 million provincial investment

Durham College (DC) will play a central role in strengthening Ontario’s construction workforce, thanks to a $75 million provincial investment in post-secondary institutions. Announced at DC’s Whitby campus in August, the funding will expand construction and planning programs across Ontario – including those offered at DC – opening more doors for students to pursue rewarding careers in the skilled trades and urban planning.

This support means new opportunities to grow enrolment in programs that directly address the province’s housing and infrastructure needs. By 2028, the initiative will add 7,500 new seats in construction programs and 300 spaces for urban planning graduate students across various colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes.

The Honourable Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence, and Security, and the Honourable David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development, made the announcement at DC’s Ontario Power Generation Centre for Skilled Trades and Technology. They were joined by MPPs and Parliamentary Assistants Lorne Coe, Brian Saunderson, and Mohamed Firin, as well as DC Board members, students, employees, and industry partners, underscoring DC’s vital contribution to preparing the next generation of workers.

“Durham College is thrilled to strengthen our programs through this provincial initiative,” said Dr. Elaine Popp, President, DC. “By expanding our skilled trades and construction offerings, we’re equipping graduates to meet Ontario’s housing and infrastructure growing needs. With hands-on, future-focused training, our students are gaining the skills and experience to thrive and make a real difference in their communities.”

Minister Piccini echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of investing in the province: “A productive workforce is a healthy workforce, and today’s announcement is another step forward in breaking down barriers for more youth to access meaningful and rewarding careers.”

For learners, the funding represents a direct investment in their future. “As a student,” said Mariah Jarvis, currently enrolled in DC’s Electrical Engineering Technician program, “it’s exciting to see the government supporting the skilled trades. It shows that what we are learning today in the classroom will make a difference tomorrow.”

Minister Quinn emphasized how students in these sectors are shaping the future:

“Students benefiting from this funding will build the homes, highways, hospitals, and critical infrastructure of tomorrow, strengthening what makes Ontario an incredible place to call home,” said Minister Quinn. “Our colleges, universities, and Indigenous Institutes are more than just world-class places of learning — they are the epicentres for workforce development and economic growth.”

New students bring energy and excitement to campus at Academic Welcome 2025

Durham College (DC) welcomed thousands of new students to the Oshawa and Whitby campuses this week for Academic Welcome, a cornerstone event that marks the beginning of the academic year and sets students up for success.

Faculty-specific events held throughout the week gave students their first opportunity to meet program teams, connect with peers and begin their journey with confidence. Each session featured a mix of faculty welcomes, community-building activities and prize draws, including a $2,000 tuition award provided by the Durham College Student Association (DCSA).

Beyond the formal welcome sessions, the week was also about connection and belonging. Students were encouraged to ask questions, share experiences and begin building a support network that will help guide them throughout their time at DC.

For many, it was also an opportunity to reflect on the journey ahead.

“I’m excited for everything, but especially about starting to learn the paramedic side of things,” said Jacob DeJong, a first-year student in the Paramedic program. “I’ve taken first aid and CPR courses, but now I’ll really see my future career coming into focus. I’m excited to watch it all come together.”

International students also shared their perspective on choosing DC.

“I’m not from Canada, I’ve never been here before,” said Bothina Mohamad, who recently arrived from Sudan to begin the Dental Assisting program. “I researched schools in Canada, and Durham College seemed really interesting. The campus looked nice, the application process was easy, and every time I emailed, they replied quickly. It felt very supportive.”

As students settle into their new routines, setting a strong foundation in the first days on campus is critical, said Christina Dixon, Manager, Student Development.

“Orientation is a key milestone in a student’s transition to college. It helps them build a sense of belonging, confidence and connection before classes even begin,” said Dixon. “Academic Welcome introduces students to program information and campus resources, fosters community and creates opportunities to meet the peers, staff and faculty who will support their success. By easing the uncertainty of starting college and building early engagement, Orientation lays the foundation for retention, well-being and long-term achievement.”

While Academic Welcome has officially concluded, opportunities to get involved continue throughout September with student life events including the Campus Cup, Whitby Block Party, Glowzone Headphone Disco and even a chance to watch a movie under the stars.

Learn more about orientation activities and resources.

Start the school year strong!

Are you a new student? Our Getting Started at DC content collection has everything you need to make your transition smooth and successful.

Durham College and NAIT launch strategic partnership to advance AI literacy in Canada’s energy sector

Durham College (DC) and the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing a strategic partnership focused on innovation, collaboration, and skills development across Canada’s oil and gas industries.

The new collaboration brings together two of Canada’s leading post-secondary institutions, committed to addressing evolving industry needs through shared programming, applied learning, and workforce development initiatives.

“This agreement between Durham College and NAIT allows us to leverage the strengths of both institutions to meet the growing demand for artificial intelligence (AI) literacy in the energy sector,” said Robin Young, Director of Corporate Training Services at Durham College. “By combining NAIT’s deep industry connections with DC’s applied expertise in AI, we’re helping professionals build the skills they need to lead with confidence.”

To kick off this shared initiative, DC and NAIT are launching a dedicated cohort of the AI G.U.I.D.E (Governance, Utilization, Innovation, Data, and Ethics in AI): AI is Reshaping Oil and Gas – Are You Ready?  Tailored for those working in the oil and gas industries, the six-week virtual program – delivered in partnership with DC’s AI Hub –  will help current and future leaders upskill through hands-on learning opportunities and practical, industry-specific AI applications.

“We are thrilled to partner with Durham College to provide this vital AI program to those in the oil and gas sector,” said Kassie Burkholder, Executive Director of Corporate and Continuing Education and Product Development at NAIT. “This collaboration allows us to deliver innovative training, ensuring professionals are equipped with the skills and confidence to lead the charge in a rapidly changing landscape.”

Launching on September 30, the program will feature relevant case studies, industry guest speakers, and guidance on ethical AI adoption. Accessible to professionals at all levels of digital maturity, the program is the first in a series of planned collaborative offerings between the institutions.

Together, DC and NAIT are committed to driving innovation, addressing national and provincial labour market needs, and creating new opportunities for professionals to succeed in a rapidly changing economy.

Durham College trains professionals to embrace transformative technology with AI G.U.I.D.E. Program

As artificial intelligence continues to transform industries across Canada, the AI Hub at Durham College is offering new executive development programs to help non-technical professionals navigate this shift.

AI G.U.I.D.E. Program – Foundational Stream

The AI G.U.I.D.E. Program, (Governance, Utilization, Innovation, Development & Ethics in AI), was co-developed by the Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI) and the AI Hub at Durham College (DC) in 2024. Now in its second cohort, this is a six-week virtual course designed to demystify AI for leaders across the business, public, and non-profit sectors.

The fall 2025 program is running from October 15 to November 19, and offers weekly live sessions every Wednesday from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. It is tailored for early- and mid-career professionals who may not have a technical background but are increasingly expected to make informed decisions about AI adoption and governance.

Who Should Enrol?

The program is ideal for:

  • HR, Operations, Sales, and Public Affairs professionals in non-technical roles.
  • Technologists in infosec, privacy, integrity, and other tech-adjacent fields.
  • Professionals working with governments and regulators.
  • Anyone interested in shaping a more ethical and inclusive tech future.

Participants will gain a foundational understanding of AI governance, regulatory frameworks, and the ethical, legal, and societal implications of emerging technologies. Sessions are led by AI experts with deep experience in commercialization and responsible tech adoption.

“This is not a technical course—it’s a leadership course for the AI era,” said Natalie Arthurs, Senior Manager for the DC AI Hub. “We’re empowering professionals to ask the right questions and lead with confidence.”

The program also includes exclusive guest speakers, applied learning activities, and a Digital Badge issued by DC and CCI, which can be added to LinkedIn profiles to showcase participants’ credentials.

For more information or to register, visit www.ai-guide.ca.

AI G.U.I.D.E. Program – Oil and Gas

The AI G.U.I.D.E. Oil and Gas Program is a customized executive development program built specifically for non-technical professionals across Canada’s energy ecosystem. Delivered by Durham College’s (DC) AI Hub in collaboration with Corporate Training Services and the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), this six-week virtual program helps professionals in operations, policy, compliance, or sustainability roles:

  • Understand how AI is reshaping the energy industry.
  • Evaluate risks, benefits, and governance requirements.
  • Learn from real-world case studies and industry-aligned experts.
  • Engage in a peer-based learning cohort tailored to sector-specific needs.

Running from September 30 to November 4, this program offers weekly virtual sessions. Participants also earn a co-branded Digital Badge from DC, The AI Hub, and NAIT upon completion.

Learn more and register online.

Custom Programs Available

The AI G.U.I.D.E learning framework is ideally suited for building AI literacy for professionals in regulated sectors such as healthcare, finance, energy, and education.

The AI Hub partners with companies, industry and community associations and other institutions to design and deliver custom training programs that align with their specific industry, market and jurisdictional needs.

Interested in building something together? Contact theaihub@durhamcollege.ca.

A transformational year: DC’s 2024-25 Annual Report

Durham College’s (DC) 2024-25 Annual Report is now available online.

From two of the largest graduating classes in our history to strengthening mental health supports for our students, this year’s report highlights a wide range of impactful initiatives, innovative programs, and memorable events.

It also chronicles our efforts to develop our new Strategic Vision. With the post-secondary landscape experiencing rapid changes, we engaged in an extensive series of consultations with our community, including students, employees, governors, alumni, donors, community partners and industry leaders. Working together, we explored how DC can adapt to meet the evolving needs of students and industry in the years to come.

“Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our incredible DC team, we have successfully navigated the unexpected. I’m proud of our resilience and our ability to remain committed to providing our students with exceptional learning experiences, supported by our donors, industry partners and the strength of our community,” said Dr. Elaine Popp, President.

With this Report, we bring an official conclusion to our 2020–2025 Strategic Plan and look forward to the exciting opportunities that lie ahead of us.

Durham College launches program to strengthen mental health care skills for healthcare and community service professionals

Registration is now open for Durham College’s (DC) new Mental Health for Healthcare Workers Certificate, a fully online program designed to help healthcare and community service professionals build the skills and knowledge needed to support the mental well-being of individuals, families, and communities.

Developed with today’s healthcare realities in mind, the certificate addresses a growing demand for compassionate, culturally responsive, and evidence-based mental health care. It is ideal for Registered Nurses, Registered Practical Nurses, Personal Support Workers, Social Workers, Paramedics, and other professionals working in social service roles.

“Mental health is an increasingly vital part of care, and today’s healthcare professionals need the tools to respond with confidence and compassion,” said Nora Simpson, Executive Dean, Professional and Part-time Learning, Durham College. “This program offers practical, in-depth learning on mental health conditions, treatment approaches, and therapeutic strategies. Graduates will be well-prepared to support recovery, navigate complex care situations, and contribute to safe, ethical, and person-focused care across diverse settings.”

Delivered 100 per cent online and asynchronously, the program is designed to fit busy schedules. Participants will explore topics such as prevalent mental health disorders, psychopharmacology, and therapeutic interventions, while also building key competencies in trauma-informed care, risk assessment, crisis and safety management, and collaborative care planning. The six courses were developed in collaboration with Humber Polytechnic.

A key component of the program is its alignment with the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing competencies, which may assist nurses in preparing for certification in this specialty area.

Tuition is fully funded through the support of The Barrett Family Foundation. Students are responsible only for a non-refundable $30 +HST registration fee per course.

Registration is now open for the Fall 2025 term. To learn more or to register, visit the Mental Health for Healthcare Workers program page.

Alumni of Distinction’s Surviving Addiction docuseries returns with help from Social Impact Hub, DC community

For Durham College (DC) Alumni of Distinction Chris Cull, the second season of his Surviving Addiction docuseries has been a true team effort.

With funding from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Foundation and Mitacs and invaluable support from DC’s Social Impact Hub, the new season launched on YouTube on July 18. It consists of six episodes, with a new one premiering every Friday at noon.

Like the first season, the new episodes explore the different perspectives of those touched by addiction, from those in recovery to the family and friends who support them and the doctors who treat them.

“There are so many different dynamics to how substance use and addiction can affect somebody. Everybody’s journey is very different,” said Cull, who shared his own story of overcoming opioid addiction in the series’ first instalment. This season, subjects include a young man who overcame addiction as a teenager, a woman who held her family together in the face of her partner’s struggles, medical professionals at CAMH and Lakeridge Health, and more.

“The essence of the series is education through storytelling, and to try to help the broader public have a better understanding of substance use and addiction and see a little bit of themselves in the stories that they’re watching.”

To tell those stories, Cull had the support of Social Impact Hub Project Coordinator Sara-Ruth Allen and Faculty Project Lead K. Jennifer Bedford, as well as two DC students; May Friedman (Photography) and Hrithik Udani (Video Production). Over two long days of filming and weeks of post-production work, the DC contingent brought their experience and expertise to the process of delivering six impactful and educational episodes. Their tasks included conducting and filming interviews, shooting B-roll, editing the footage and more.

“Surviving Addiction is more than a docuseries—it’s a model for work-integrated learning in action. It gives solid footing for our students to go out into industry and succeed. It allows them to see how a real production works, not just in a classroom, but in real life,” explained Bedford, who teaches in the Faculty of Media, Art and Design. “A project like this has social impact, and I’m extremely pleased that we can offer students an opportunity to learn how they can make a difference within the world through their storytelling.”

Working on the series as a Social Impact Hub project lead was a valuable opportunity for Bedford as well, giving her the chance to exercise and hone the production skills she teaches in the classroom.

“It keeps me fresh; it keeps me relevant. I think that’s incredibly important to demonstrate to students who are coming to Durham College – that our faculty are the best, and this is one of the reasons why.”

As the season unfolds, the hard work of Cull, Bedford, the students and everyone else who had a hand in the project will shine a spotlight on emotional and inspiring stories that will make a difference.

“People connect emotionally with stories,” said Cull. “You can throw data on if you’re looking at overdose deaths and how many happened in the last month, and that’s a number on a screen. But if you take one of those numbers and tell the context and story behind it, then people get interested.”

DC’s Centre for Craft Beverage Innovation Expands Capabilities with Grant

Durham College (DC) is expanding the capacity of its Centre for Craft Beverage Innovation (CCBI) to provide tangible and transformative solutions to real-life beverage business challenges, thanks to a $118,000 grant.

The funding, announced by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), will bolster the Centre’s research service through the purchase of a modular beer analysis system — the Anton Paar Animo 3100 Mobile. This fully mobile and flexible process monitoring device will facilitate the measurement of vital input and output parameters, providing the best possible insights into brewery performance. This will lead to improved process control and potential cost and time savings for the Centre’s clients.

Since 2018, CCBI has partnered with numerous craft breweries and artisanal beverage makers to foster innovation, not only for craft beer but also for seltzers, kombuchas, and other beverages. The CCBI’s pilot brew line and lab equipment enable successful applied research projects, where companies can tap into our expertise, state-of-the-art technology, and micro-analytical services. This allows craft brewers to experiment with new recipes and flavour profiles, yeast strains, and conduct scientific analysis, supporting the growing beverage sector of the local economy.

“The beverage industry is changing, and so must the services that support our homegrown innovation,” said Debbie McKee Demczyk, Associate Vice President, Innovation and Research. “The Applied Research Tools and Instruments (ARTI) grant is allowing DC to advance its ability to support beverage businesses with innovative services that grow the economy and develop Canadian-made products, further underscoring the Centre for Craft Beverage Innovation as one of Ontario’s key beverage research hubs.”

This ARTI grant will help build CCBI’s mission of helping craft brewers brew with more confidence by bringing more science to their work. New CCBI capabilities unlocked with the purchase of the Anton Paar Animo 3100 Mobile will significantly enhance the ability of small craft breweries to experiment and refine process controls, resulting in improved quality, reduced costs, increased sales, and enhanced financial performance.

DC professor Chris Daniel named Outstanding Educator by OACETT

Durham College (DC) Professor Chris Daniel has been named a 2025 Outstanding Educator by the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT), earning province-wide recognition for his student-focused, hands-on approach to teaching the college’s Mechanical Engineering Technology and Mechanical Engineering Technician programs.

Chris received the award at OACETT’s Annual General Meeting in Windsor this June. Nominated by his own students, Chris was celebrated for his outstanding teaching, mentorship, and dedication to experiential, industry-aligned education.

His dedication was especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Chris and his students leveraged innovation and campus resources to design and deliver support for frontline workers – just one example of the meaningful, real-world learning he brings into the classroom.

“When I realized that my students had taken the time to write letters to support my nomination indicating that I had such a massive impact on them – it meant a great deal,” Chris said in an interview, reflecting on the recognition.

Inspired by a family of educators, Chris knew from the age of nine that he wanted to teach. His approach blends classroom instruction with real-world experience, creating opportunities that connect students directly with industry demands.

“Chris’ passion for engineering education is clear from the moment you meet him,” said Liam Croft, a 2025 graduate of the Mechanical Engineering Technology program and one of the students who nominated Chris for the award. “He is an enthusiastic and energetic instructor, who excels in relating complex concepts to practical applications while keeping classes fun and engaging. Many of my favourite academic memories come from the friendly design competitions incorporated into his classes.”

Chris’ commitment to the student experience extends far beyond the classroom.

“The time Chris invests in his students’ development to ensure they’re prepared for both the technical and personal challenges of their careers is truly inspiring,” said Tania Clérac, Executive Dean, Faculty of Science and Engineering Technology. “This award is a well-deserved recognition of his impact, and DC is proud to have such a dedicated leader championing our students’ success.”

“Watching my students blossom, having those connections with them and playing a role in guiding them in the field they choose, that’s the real reward,” said Chris.