Durham College (DC) is pleased to share that the Career Ready Fund (CRF) Auto Stream program, a collaboration between DC, Ontario Tech University and Loyalist College, recently received a $757,143 investment from the Ontario government.

Announced last week, the funding is part of a larger investment from the Ontario government of $37 million province-wide to help people in Ontario train for jobs in the automotive, transportation and construction sectors, helping thousands of job seekers get the skills they need to become job ready.

Through the CRF Auto Stream program, organizations looking for talent in numerous disciplines, including electrical, mechanical and software engineering; accounting; human resources; marketing; and nursing, or for skilled trade apprentices and technologists, will receive $3,000 for each student placement that lasts anywhere from 10 weeks to four months.

This funding will count towards either the hiring of new graduates and apprentices and/or co-operative education students and can be provided retroactively to hires dating back to April 1, 2020. Higher amounts per placement will apply for participants with one or more disability. The CRF can be stacked with federal funding to reduce employment costs by up to 100% and can access incentives to support up to 12 candidates per business.

“Investments like these ensure our students have the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on skills in real-world work environments, better preparing them for life after graduation,” said DC President, Don Lovisa. “Local employers will have the ability to leverage the creativity, talent and innovation of DC students to help drive our economic vitality and recovery.”

During the announcement, the Ontario government also committed $121,847 to develop and implement Jobsite Readiness Micro-credentials in DC’s Centre for Professional and Part-time Learning. This program will prepare underrepresented individuals (primarily unemployed youth) in Durham Region for success in entry-level jobs in the construction industry.

As we approach World Tourism Day on Sunday, September 27, Durham College’s (DC) teaching-inspired restaurant Bistro ’67 is pleased to announce it has been awarded the Safe Travels Stamp.

Administered by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), in conjunction with industry partners including the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO), the Safe Travels Stamp is an international symbol that allows travellers to recognize governments and companies around the world that have adopted health and hygiene global standardized protocols.

Focusing on four pillars – operational and staff preparedness, ensuring a safe experience, rebuilding trust and confidence, and implementing enabling policies – the protocols were developed based on local regulations, World Health Organization and US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, and input from leading hospitality groups . By implementing the protocols and receiving the Safe Travels Stamp, restaurants around the world are demonstrating they are upholding the highest standards of health and safety.

For those looking to support local businesses during these unprecedented times, Bistro ‘67 is an excellent option. The restaurant offers guests a memorable field-to-fork dining experience within DC’s multiple award-winning W. Galen Weston Centre for Food (Weston Centre).

Meals are prepared using fresh ingredients from the Weston Centre’s own gardens and other local suppliers from across Durham Region, which is very fitting considering the theme for this year’s World Tourism Day is Tourism and Rural Development, in celebration of driving economic development and providing opportunities outside of big cities.

In bringing community, local agriculture and learning together, Bistro ’67 champions rural growth and encourages people to view local food production in a new light. It is also a 3 Star Certified Green Restaurant, holds a Feast ON designation in recognition of its use of local food and beverage options, and was named one of Open Table’s 100 most scenic restaurants in Canada in 2019.

To learn more about Bistro ’67, please visit www.bistro67.ca.

While the COVID-19 pandemic means Durham College’s (DC) 2020-2021 academic year looks different than in years past, more than 11,200 full-time and apprenticeship students have embraced the opportunity and are now studying at DC.

This includes more than 6,280 first-year students, more than 1,500 new and returning international students from 72 countries, and 7,000 registrations occurred through Professional and Part-time Learning.

“As an institution, we recognize the unique circumstances facing our students, faculty and campus community as a result of COVID-19,” said Dr. Elaine Popp, vice-president, Academic. “However, after our successful pilot program in July, which saw more than 1,500 students from across 20 programs return to campus following our initial closures to complete outstanding practical requirements for their programs, we felt quite confident and prepared heading into the fall semester. We learned a lot during the pilot and have carried that knowledge into the new academic year to the benefit of students and faculty alike.”

Through a combination of remote and in-person delivery, students are studying in a variety of industry-driven programs including the new Esports Business Management and Autism and Behavioural Sciences graduate certificates, as well as the Honours Bachelor of Health Care Technology Management (pathway to degree).

“Since the outset of the pandemic our focus has been on ensuring the continuity of learning for our students. With the arrival of the new academic year, we remain committed to offering the same quality programming DC is known for,” said Popp.

Remote classes allow for rich engagement opportunities between students, their professors and peers thanks to a variety of online platforms and technologies, which are not only maintaining but also enhance learning. Cutting-edge simulations and hands-on opportunities, when possible, are also helping to fulfill the experiential elements of DC’s programs.

“In the spring, DC unveiled its new Strategic Plan, anchored in our new mission statement, together we’re leading the way,” said Don Lovisa, president. “It’s an extremely fitting sentiment given our current circumstances, as the launch of this academic year has truly been a team effort. I want to thank our faculty and staff for supporting our students as they learn the job-ready skills they need to pursue their careers, and the students themselves for their patience, perseverance and commitment to their education. If the start to the fall semester is any indication, they are destined for success.”