Leading training facility sees seven-per cent enrolment increase as students head back to class
WHITBY, Ont. - A new Emergency Management program designed to help grads prepare for potential disasters is attracting new students to the Durham College Whitby campus featuring the Skills Training Centre.
One of Canada's leading training facilities, the Whitby campus offers skilled trades and apprenticeship programs in job-producing sectors such as construction, industrial, manufacturing, automotive service and repair, and emergency response. With a seven-per cent overall enrolment increase, more than 1,600 students begin a new year of classes here today.
Tyler Furnis, a Durham College Police Foundations graduate in spring 2006, is now among the first students enrolled in the new post-diploma Emergency Management program at the Whitby campus. "It's related to the same field, it's a resumé-builder and I was interested in it as well after what happened with September 11," said Furnis.
Furnis is typical of the thousands of students who've turned to the Whitby campus in the past, looking for programs that deliver what they want the most - a job. With statistics showing that a shortage of workers looms in the skilled trades across Ontario, the focus on skilled trades and apprenticeships means graduates of the Whitby campus find high-paying and rewarding employment, often as their own boss.
The Emergency Management program was born out of an emerging need in a job market that often changes by the day. On the heels of the blackout of 2003 and the SARS scare, various levels of government have been updating and strengthening their emergency preparation plans and businesses are also moving to be ready in any event. With that responsibility comes the need to have individuals who can lead organizations' development efforts and oversee emergency disaster preparation.
"For almost 40 years Durham College has built a reputation as a provincial leader in delivering curriculum and programs that meet the ever-evolving needs of today's students," said Leah Myers, president of Durham College. "This type of response to market needs, a faculty of industry leaders, and a hands-on learning environment all help to drive enrolment growth at the campus."
Construction programs are among the most popular with students this year, with Electrical, Plumbing, Gas Technician and Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) apprenticeships leading the way.
"The growth in our construction programs is reflective of the rapidly growing residential construction sector in Durham Region," said John Woodward, principal, Whitby campus. "Our students are clever enough to know where the jobs in that industry are and they are taking challenging programs that will set them apart when they graduate."
Woodward noted the campus is also experiencing an increase in online training, where theoretical work is completed online and the practical part of study is completed through college training partners. The campus also expects to introduce its mobile lab in the coming months, allowing apprentices to achieve their practical hours at locations across Durham.
About Durham College
For close to 40 years, Durham College has been committed to providing job-focused programs, accomplished professors, quality-driven innovation, student success and superior accountability. Our college has ranked first in provincial indicators for student satisfaction in the GTA for seven years running, and at a 93.1 per cent grad employment rate, we have the highest ranking of the six GTA colleges. We have over 5,900 full-time and 23,000 part-time students enrolled in close to 100 programs, as well as about 2,000 apprentices. For more information, visit our website at www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.
Media contact:
Allison Rosnak
Communications and Marketing
905.721.3111 ext. 2513
allison.rosnak@dc-uoit.ca
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