Niagara College’s annual stop for Ontario Colleges College Information Program tour drew about 1,100 curious high school to the Welland Campus on September 28.
Visiting students from high schools across Niagara and beyond had the opportunity to explore program offerings across NC’s schools of study, and roster of student services. While NC’s interactive booths stole the show as the host stop on the tour, the event also featured 23 visiting institutions – transforming the Simplii Financial Athletic Centre to a one-stop shop for college opportunities.
“Seeing 1,100 students come out here today is exactly what we want,” said Ian Aikenhead Director of Recruitment. “We have one of the biggest stops on the CIP tour. You can really see the buy-in from our faculty and student services – having their booths be so engaging – which really helps get prospective students ask questions and get involved.”
Across the floor, engagement was on full display. At the School of Technology booth, students marveled at a search -and-rescue drone alongside smaller specialized units. Christina Simionescu, a professor in the College’s new Defense System Engineering Technology (three-year advanced diploma)and Defense System Engineering Technician (two-year diploma) programs, highlighted the explosive demand for their graduates in sectors ranging from agriculture to power line inspection.
“The applications are so large, the industry is booming,” she said. “They’re asking for students.”
Nearby, Mechanical Engineering Technology (Co-op)program coordinator Aaron Shatkosky used a bright orange 3D printed robotic arm to demonstrate complex mechanical functions. The equipment caught the attention of passersby interested in learning more about what it was and how it worked.
“I always say, Mechanical Engineering is perfectly suited for the type of students who, when they were kids, liked to take their toys apart,” said Shatkosky.
Visitors lined up to spin a colourful wheel at the School of Hospitality booth to learn more about the variety of programs – from Event Management to Esthetician – while steady foot traffic around the School of Trades reflected a widespread cultural shift toward hands on careers, according to staff and faculty behind the booth.
“Students are realizing more that they can build stuff, they can use their hands, they could do those things for a living,” said School of Trades Professor Alex Luckas.
For participating NC faculty and staff, the goal of the day was simpler: helping students visualize their future. Surrounded by lush plants from the teaching greenhouse, James Boesch, Associate Dean of Environment and Horticulture, welcomed the opportunity to connect with prospective students.
“It’s not about convincing students to come to one program or another,” he said. “It’s more about listening, finding out what their passions are, and helping them see themselves 10 years from now in a career that’s going to fulfill them.”
With the OCAS application portal now officially open, NC’s recruitment team’s next major milestone is welcoming these prospective students to both the Welland and Daniel J. Patterson Campuses for Fall Open House on Saturday, November 7 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
In the meantime, the recruitment team will continue the College Information Program tour across the province, which runs until October 30.
