Durham College (DC) is proud to announce it has been named one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers for 2021. Awarded to organizations for their progressive, forward-thinking employee programs, this is the tenth time the college has received the honour.

DC’s recognition comes during a particularly challenging year for many organizations, as the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent response measures have impacted business operations and traditional work models across Canada.

Among the reasons for selection as a Top Employer, DC was recognized for its quick response to the pandemic, including the launch of a new internal Work@home site, which provided employees with the necessary resources and support to successfully transition to a remote work environment.

Other employee supports offered by DC were also acknowledged, including excellent maternity and parental leave policies, which include a full year of paid leave for mothers, 35 weeks of paid leave for fathers and adoptive parents, and 93 per cent salary top up benefits.

It was also noted support does not stop once a DC employee retires. From retirement planning assistance prior to their departure to maintaining the connection between retired employees and the college through the Retiree Association, DC encourages and helps its employees at every stage of their career, from those just starting out, to those ready to transition into the next chapter of their lives.

“We are thrilled to once again be named one of Greater Toronto’s top employers, now for the tenth year,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “Just as our employees are unwavering in their dedication to our students, each other and the community, we are consistently committed to enhancing the environment in which our people work and providing exceptional benefits that ensure their personal and professional well-being.” 

Greater Toronto’s Top Employers is an annual competition organized by the editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers. This special designation recognizes Greater Toronto Area employers who lead their industries by offering exceptional places to work. Organizations are judged on several criteria including physical workplace; work and social atmosphere; health, financial and family benefits; vacation and time off; employee communications; performance management; training and skills development; and community involvement. Employers are compared to other organizations in their sector to determine which offer the most progressive and forward-thinking programs. 

More information can be found on DC’s Greater Toronto Top Employers profile.

This December, Durham College (DC) employees and students are invited to take part in 12 exciting virtual challenges during the #12DaysOfDC!

Running until Wednesday, December 16, each weekday students and employees will have the opportunity to participate in one of DC’s festive online challenges on Twitter and Instagram, helping them get into the holiday spirit while connecting with classmates and colleagues.

Each person who participates will be entered into a daily draw to win an amazing DC prize, just in time for the holidays.

Check out the schedule below, and be sure to follow DC on Twitter and Instagram to join in on the fun.

Tuesday, December 1 – Giving Tuesday
For our first digital challenge of the 12 Days of DC we want you to share how you’re supporting your community this holiday season through volunteering, donating or a random act of kindness.

Wednesday, December 2 – Spread the love
Sign up for our holiday e-greeting exchange! You’ll match with a participating student or employee and have the opportunity to share your holiday cheer by sending a themed e-card.

Thursday, December 3 – Favourite holiday movie
Do you have a movie that you watch every December? One that makes you feel nostalgic about the holiday season? We want to know about it! Share with us your favourite holiday movie.

Friday, December 4 – Shop Local
Shopping local this holiday season to support our economic recovery? That’s the spirit! Share where you’re shopping and you might be rewarded with some local goodies.

Monday, December 7 – Holiday ornament challenge
Get ready to put those creative skills to good use! Today’s challenge has you making your own holiday ornament.

Tuesday, December 8 – Greetings of DC holidays past
What’s your favourite DC holiday greeting? Share with us and the rest of your network to add some festive fun to your week.

Wednesday, December 9 – Holiday sweater
Show us your ugliest or best holiday sweater! Bonus points if you’re wearing it on a video call.

Thursday, December 10 – Holiday pet photo
Who doesn’t love a good pet photo? Spice it up with a little paw-liday cheer and share your photo.

Friday, December 11 – Holiday decorations
Are you like Buddy the Elf and love to spread cheer through your decorations? Show us how you decorate for the holiday season.

Monday, December 14 – Favourite holiday tradition
Is there something you do every year to make it feel like the holidays are finally here? Share your tradition or a special holiday memory to kick off the week.

Tuesday, December 15 – Holiday outdoor activity
Family walks through the forest or tobogganing down a hill, whatever your fun holiday activity might be, share a photo as we slide into the final days before the holidays.

Wednesday, December 16 – Holiday beverage or cocktail
Celebrate the final day of our 12 Days of DC by sharing your favourite holiday beverage or food recipe.

 Durham College (DC) is pleased to announce its participation in two initiatives in Kenya with Young Africa Works: Youth Employability through TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) program.

Facilitated by Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, the first initiative will be undertaken over 12 months, focusing on preparing a new industry-driven training program for a September 2021 launch, and the second, which will be undertaken over the next five years, will focus on developing and scaling up training of pre- and in-service trainers to deliver competency-based education and training (CBET) instruction and capacity development for leadership and management.

Increasing industry-driven training programs

Working as the lead institution on the first initiative, DC, in collaboration with Algonquin College and Kenyan partners, seeks to increase the participation of young Kenyans, particularly women, in market-relevant skills training programs. Using a partner-driven, participatory approach, the goal is to ultimately grow the number of young people in dignified and fulfilling work in the Big Four (food security, affordable housing, manufacturing and affordable healthcare) and digital sectors.

DC’s involvement comes as a continuation of the Kenya Education for Employment Program (KEFEP), which saw the college work with The Kitale National Polytechnic and The Eldoret National Polytechnic providing support for institutional leadership and assisting with the implementation of Kenya’s technical and vocational education and training reforms.

This unique collaborative project will leverage the strengths of each partner to quickly implement and accelerate its overall impact.

Over the course of 12 months, all involved in the project will work to develop student-centred learning materials, gender equity and inclusion strategies, and industry linkages.

Exchanges will also occur between Kenya and Canada, allowing Kenyan trainers to conduct benchmarking visits to Canada in order to be exposed to CBET methodology, industry workshops and courses that are currently in use. Canadian trainers and subject-matter experts visiting Kenya will continue to build relationships with their Kenyan partners and develop a better understanding of the local context.

Developing and scaling up pre- and in-service training

DC is also supporting a second initiative, alongside project lead Algonquin College, and Camosun College, which will give current trainers and leaders the skills they need to successfully deliver CBET education.

This will be done by embedding its CBET principles within the theory and practice of their preparatory courses, while better aligning them with newly developed national standards, where modules focus on the different learning needs of young women and young men.

The development and scaling-up of pre- and in-service instruction will ensure that up to 9,000 new TVET trainers with CBET methodologies will be deployed.

The Canadian colleges will also work with the Kenyan partners to explore opportunities for TVET trainers to upgrade or maintain their technical skills through short-term industry placements as an element of in-service training.

“We are very excited about both of these initiatives,” said Marianne Marando, Associate Vice-President, Academic (Enrolment and International Education), Durham College. “DC has a longstanding history of working with institutions across Kenya and thanks to the Mastercard Foundation’s generous funding, and facilitation by CICan, we are able to work alongside other Canadian colleges to lend our expertise, helping to further refine skills training to meet the country’s growing needs.”

The Durham College (DC) Lords Varsity Esports team earned their first championship win after the Rocket League squad captured the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) championship on November 22.

After winning their regular season finale, the Lords completed a perfect 6-0 regular season run in NECC competition, entering the post-season as the number two seed overall. From there, DC dominated their first-round match before knocking off another team in an exciting championship final.

“I believe this is the standard we have set for ourselves moving forward with the overall tone of our program,” said Lords esports general manager Bill Ai. “An amazing start to the inaugural season for the NECC and we will look to continue to produce results of this caliber into next year when we defend our championship in the spring.”

The Lords Rocket League squad is made up of Conner McGlennan, Dallas Smith, Drew Fairbrother and Jared Greenwood.

“I’m really proud of the work Jared, Conner, Dallas, and Drew put in this season to win the NECC championship,” noted Rocket League team coach and manager Ben Bramly. “Through countless hours of practice, scrimmages, and games they showed consistent improvement throughout the season. I can’t wait to see what more they can achieve as they continue to play together and build themselves as a team.”

The NECC match was only one of two championship matches the team competed in on November 22. The Rocket League team also made it to the Unified Collegiate Esports Association (UCEA) final. However, the Lords fell in the gold medal round.

PlayVS action also continued for the Rocket League team, adding wins over three teams to their record, before dropping their most recent match ahead of the post-season.

Finally, the team earned two more wins in CSL Esports competition heading into the winter break, resuming regular season matches in the new year.

On November 14, more than 1,300 prospective students and their families logged onto their computers, laptops, phones and tablets to digitally experience Durham College (DC) during its Fall Virtual Open House.

During live information sessions about the college’s more than 140 career-focused programs, attendees had the opportunity to ask faculty and students questions in real time. There were also virtual sessions focused on student support, financial aid, admissions, and more.

Guests were also able to watch videos and take virtual tours of campus spaces, including learning environments, residences and wellness facilities, as well as having the chance to enter to win a $1,000 tuition credit.

In total more than 6,200 webpage views on the event website were recorded on Saturday, from 34 countries around the globe, including India, Brazil and Nigeria.

For anyone who missed the live event or who wants more information about DC and its programs visit www.durhamcollege.ca/hello or connect with the student recruitment team at www.durhamcollege.ca/recruitment.

Durham College (DC) is proud to announce that its Addictions and Mental Health graduate certificate program has been officially accredited by the Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation (CACCF) as approved formal education for CACCF certifications.

This recognition will allow DC students to qualify as an Associate Addictions Counsellor (AAC) through the CACCF upon completion of their program, giving students an added edge as they prepare to enter the workforce.

Graduates will also qualify to work towards other CACCF certifications, including the Certified Canadian Addictions Counsellor, which, in addition to their graduate certificate from DC, requires time in the field and supervised clinical training.

The CACCF is a not for profit organization that promotes, certifies and monitors the competency of addiction-specific counsellors in Canada. It is internationally recognized as the gold standard provider in addiction credentialing both in Canada and on the International stage, and the certifications CACCF issues along with their professional conduct review process provide public protection for counsellors, employers, regulatory agencies, clients and their families.

Learn more about DC’s Addictions and Mental Health graduate certificate program online or contact a recruitment officer for more details.

The hard work and dedication of Durham College’s (DC) more than 1,000 students in the class of 2020 have been celebrated through variety of online and physical festivities during Fall Convocation.  

Hosting a large ceremony wasn’t possible this year however, DC marked the accomplishments of its graduates with the creation of a Convocation Recognition website.

Filled with elements typically seen at convocation, the site features:

• Messages of congratulations from DC’s leadership team and each school’s dean.
• Virtual shout outs and recognition for grads submitted by family, friends, faculty and college employees.
• A list of frequently asked questions related to graduation.
• Links to order DC merchandise, from grad rings to flowers.
• Information about life as a college alumni, including benefits details.
• Digital DC swag so #DCGrad2020 pride can be shared online.
• Details about what comes next after graduation.

In addition, the site acknowledges this year’s Alumni of Distinction winners. The Alumni of Distinction award honours the extraordinary contributions DC graduates make to society while achieving career success. Congratulations to Judy Pal (Sports and Entertainment, 1983), Nancy Shaw (Practical Nursing, 1985), Lori Lane Murphy (Public Relations, 1988) and Ellen Stitt (Water Quality Technician, 2013).

The DC Alumni Association (DCAA) also helped ensure the class of 2020 was celebrated by providing free, DC-branded lawn signs that are now displayed at graduates’ homes to show college pride while celebrating their success.