Durham College (DC) is kicking off a strategic planning process to develop its next Strategic Plan, which will launch in spring 2025.

For the past five years, DC’s work has been guided by its current Strategic Plan, which focused our commitment to serve our students, employees and communities. Now, as the plan concludes next March, preparations to develop DC’s next Strategic Plan are underway.

This planning process is an opportunity to shape the future of DC and is a collaborative effort requiring input from students, employees, alumni, donors and community partners.

“Together, we will consider how student and industry needs have changed, how we as an organization have evolved and how the landscape of higher education has shifted,” said Dr. Elaine Popp, DC President. “The result will be a roadmap for tangible goals and objectives that will inform decision-making and resource allocation and will guide our efforts leading DC to even greater heights.”

A number of teams will be involved in bringing the new Strategic Plan to fruition. The Strategic Plan Steering Committee, consisting of Executive Leadership Team members, will ultimately oversee the project. A Strategic Plan Working Group with broad cross-college representation will lead the planning process, including facilitating consultation activities. They will work closely with two other groups: an external partner – The Potential Group – who will provide guidance on strategic planning methodology, as well as a Strategic Plan Resource Team who will provide institutional support.

This work will take place over the next several months and include four phases:

• Phase 1 (July to September) – scoping, planning and setting initial direction, including a comprehensive environmental scan.
  
• Phase 2 (October to December) – engaging our community and gathering insights through focused consultations, interviews and surveys.
• Phase 3 (January to March) – refining the feedback through interactive, small-group sessions with key contributors, including students, employees, alumni, donors and community partners. 
• Phase 4 (April to May) – developing the final Strategic Plan, which will be launched at our all-employee event in May.

More information will be shared in the coming months, including the plan for upcoming consultations and the opportunities for key contributors to share their voices in this process.

“This is a pivotal time for Durham College as we set the direction for our future,” said Dr. Popp. “I am excited to collaborate with our DC community as we move forward in building a sustainable, future-proof, equity-driven, people-focused and community-connected college.”

Durham College (DC) is expanding the capacity of its centre of research excellence in artificial intelligence (AI) – the AI Hub – to provide tangible and transformative solutions to real-life business challenges, thanks to a $172,000 grant.

The funding, announced by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), will support the purchase of two high-performance servers specifically optimized for Generative AI, performance graphics and analytics. These state-of-the-art servers will facilitate large data processing, significantly reducing the time required for data analysis and processing and allowing for increased support of the AI Hub’s diverse external clients across various industries.

Over the past five years, DC’s AI Hub has partnered with more than 100 multi-sector organizations – with 70 per cent from the private sector – to deliver high-quality research and development and innovation services aligned with their needs.

“The emergence of AI tools has significantly impacted the industry landscape, introducing new capabilities and reshaping business models across various sectors,” said Debbie McKee Demczyk, Associate Vice President, Innovation and Research. “This grant will allow DC to advance its ability to support businesses with innovative services that grow the economy and develop talent, further underscoring the AI Hub as a one-of-a-kind facility in Ontario.”

In addition, the new tools provide DC students an opportunity for ongoing experiential learning. The AI Hub has a strong track record of engaging students in applied research and more than 250 students have been hired and trained as student research assistants. By using the advanced technology available, students gain hands-on experience, knowledge and enhanced skills to secure meaningful employment post-graduation. To date, 22 students have been directly hired by AI Hub partners, a testament to the skills gained through their on-campus learning.

Durham College (DC) students competed against students from across the province to demonstrate their abilities in their fields at the three-day 2024 Skills Ontario Competition in Toronto.

Thousands of high school and college students participated in this event, including more than 20 DC students who represented a wide range of disciplines, from coding and photography to auto service and restaurant service. In each category, students brought all of their skills and experience from DC to the different challenges set before them.

In addition to DC taking home more than twice as many medals as last year – jumping from four medals in 2023 to 10 in 2024 – one student, Alexander Harley who was awarded gold in Auto Service Technology, will be moving on to Skills Canada Nationals Competition in Quebec.

Sydney Rack won a bronze medal in the Horticultural/Landscape category and said winning was a blur. “I honestly didn’t even grasp that we placed until later that night,” Rack said. “It’s definitely strange because we all hope to win but I don’t know how many of us expected it.”

Photography silver-medal winner, Brooke Warner, attributed her learning at Durham College to her win. “I definitely think there were a lot of different aspects of the competition and my ability to think on my feet and the things I learned from my product class helped me succeed and I felt very prepared for it.”

Students are now looking towards their futures and how this award and training for the competition will help them in their future careers.

“Events like Skills Ontario are incredible opportunities for our students to move beyond the classroom and put their knowledge and skills to the test in a fun and competitive environment,” said Dr. Jean Choi, Vice President, Academic. “I am proud of all of the competitors and appreciate the time and support our faculty and staff put into ensuring our programs are preparing students for success in their fields.”

The full list of DC winners includes:
• Alexander Hartley – Gold, Auto Service Technology
• Hanukshan Murugesu Pillai – Gold, Restaurant Service
• Nicholas Simard -Gold, Metal Fabricator – Fitting (Welding)
• Ryan Boldy – Gold, Coding
• Brooke Warner – Silver, Photography
• John France – Silver, Coding
• Megan Terry – Silver, Heating Systems Technician
• Sophia Lourenco – Silver, Aesthetics
• Destry Young – Bronze, Auto Service Technology
• Sydney Rack and Payton Archer – Bronze, Horticultural / Landscape (Team of 2)

Durham College (DC) welcomed more than 800 Black students from the Durham District School Board (DDSB) in April for two days of engagement, empowerment and exploration.

The Cypher: Black Male Empowerment Conference, returned for its fourth year, and the Empower Her conference for Black females, was held at DC for the first time. The two events gave students in Grades 7 to 10 the opportunity to connect with entrepreneurs, community leaders and organizations through interactive workshops, engaging discussions and networking sessions to help inspire and educate them about post-secondary options.

“We are proud to welcome these young Black students to Durham College to help them connect to their inherent value, build key relationships, and expose them to a wide range of post-secondary opportunities particularly within the field of STEM as part of our RISE Resilient programming,” said Dr. Sadie K. Goddard-Durant, Director, Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at DC.

Deminion, a Grade 7 student who attended The Cypher conference, said the workshops were fun and innovative. “We had to work together, have perseverance, and always have trust in your brothers,” he said.

At the Empower Her conference, student Lyric said she enjoyed the keynote speaker, Quisha Wint, a musician, singer and artist. She said the opening session made her feel good about herself. “They mentioned how much we were queens. It was very inspiring.”

The event aligns with the DDSB’s vision of students experiencing joyful experiences which lead to self-determination, self-liberation and for them to achieve anything they desire, said Kokhulani Yasodaran, Anti-Oppression Facilitator at the DDSB.

“We know that the systemic barriers these students and their families face due primarily to anti-Black racism and sexism adversely impact their access to postsecondary education, and ultimately their abilities to reach their full potential as leaders, problem solvers and innovators in society,” added Goddard-Durant. “By providing a safe space to explore their educational and career pathways we are exposing them to what future is possible for them to achieve.”

A new venture aimed at increasing women’s participation and retention rates in Red Seal trades across Ontario has received over $2 million in federal funding.

Funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy, Women in Red Seal Trades – Advancing the Career Ecosystem brings together Sheridan College, St. Clair College, Fanshawe College and Durham College, in partnership with Unifor, Canada’s largest private sector union. Unifor contributed an additional $300,000 to the grant.

“Durham College is proud to support this project as a means to increase the engagement and success of women in the skilled trades by identifying and removing barriers to their participation. Through this partnership, we will continue to lead the way by developing knowledgeable and experienced skilled trades graduates who can step into rewarding careers that can make a difference in our local communities,” said Dr. Elaine Popp, Executive Vice President, Academic, Durham College.

Over three years, this group will spearhead initiatives focused on elevating awareness and providing opportunities for women in exploring career education, networking and apprenticeships within the Red Seal skilled trades. The Red Seal Program sets common standards to assess the skills of tradespeople across Canada. The Red Seal endorsement is proof that a tradesperson has met the national standard in their trade.

By 2025, one in five jobs in Ontario will be in the skilled trades, and it’s estimated that by 2028, the skilled trades shortage in Ontario will increase to 560,000. With women making up just 5 per cent of workers in the skilled trades in Canada, this program will work towards closing this gap through the retention of these talented tradespeople, offering women the support they need to be successful in their chosen fields.

Key to the partnership’s goals is the establishment of a Women in Trades Network which will feature a community for apprentices and women in the trades. This network will aim to build community through events and mentorship (both virtual and in person). Sheridan, St. Clair, Fanshawe and Durham will leverage their well-respected expertise, industry contacts and alumni within the skilled trades to build and maintain this network, offering women in the skilled trades a safe space to connect, network and share lived experiences.

Some of the additional key goals of Women in Red Seal Trades – Advancing the Career Ecosystem include:

• Increased partner network capacity to support women in skilled trades.
• Increased participation and higher retention of women apprentices.
• Reduced barriers for women to accessing trades training and finding secure employment.
• Increased preparedness and willingness by industry partners and employers to continue hiring women apprentices.
• Increased knowledge of the long-term recruitment strategies for women entering the Red Seal trades.

“Reducing barriers for women entering the skilled trades is an essential part of expanding and diversifying Canada’s workforce,” said Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages. “We created the Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative to help women participate and succeed in Red Seal trades apprenticeships through projects like the Women in Red Seal Trades – Advancing the Career Ecosystem. Supporting Women in the skilled trades is not just the right thing to do, it will help meet the growing demand for skilled trades workers and help grow our economy.”

DC innovation and success fueled by passionate and collaborative team of employees

Oshawa, ON – For the 13^th time, Durham College (DC) has been recognized as a Greater Toronto Top Employer, underscoring DC’s continued commitment to supporting employee well-being and development and creating a collaborative, inclusive organizational culture.

“This award affirms what we at DC already know – that Durham College is an exceptional place to work,” said Don Lovisa, president, DC. “I am very proud of our continued efforts to support employees’ personal and professional growth and to provide a forum to engage in important discussions that help enhance our work and benefit our community.”  

This year’s application highlighted DC’s efforts to explore new opportunities for collaboration and engagement among employees by facilitating meaningful discussions to build connection and foster a culture of innovation. These conversations led to the launch of an online Wellness Directory which brings together wellness supports available to students and employees and kickstarted valuable exploration and integration of Generative AI into our teaching and learning practices.

Achievements recognized this year also benefit not only DC but the broader community. This includes the completion of the $10 million Building for Skills Campaign which allowed DC to increase training capacity to help address Canada’s skilled trades gap and the opening of the Barrett Centre for Innovation in Sustainable Agriculture’s first urban farm project which supports community food security.

“The innovation and success of these projects — and all work at DC — is driven by an exceptionally dedicated and passionate team of employees who work tirelessly on behalf of our students and our community,” said Lovisa.

The selection committee also acknowledged DC for its family-friendly policies, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents, defined benefit pension plan with employer-matched contributions and retirement planning assistance.

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