On Sept. 21, Ontario’s Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security Nolan Quinn visited Niagara College’s Welland Campus to meet with NC leadership and tour areas supported through the province’s Priority Growth Fund, including the Personal Support Worker (PSW), Paramedic and Defence Systems Engineering Technology programs and labs.
Minister Quinn tours NC’s Health Sciences Apartment.
Minister Quinn was welcomed by NC President Sean Kennedy and members of the College’s Executive Team before beginning the tour in the PSW labs. Dr. Sinéad McElhone, Dean of Health Sciences, and Courtney Evers, Associate Dean, School of Nursing & Personal Support Worker Studies, highlighted the important role PSWs play in supporting individuals and communities and showcased the hands-on training students receive in NC’s state-of-the-art simulation labs, using industry-standard clinical tools and equipment.
The tour also included NC’s Health Sciences Apartment, a simulated home environment that gives students the opportunity to learn how to provide care for aging individuals in their homes. Minister Quinn learned about research underway at the College, including an aging study that uses wearable aging simulation suits to help participants experience some of the sensory and mobility challenges associated with aging.
The tour then moved to the Defence Systems Engineering Technology and Defence Systems Engineering Technician labs. Duane Bender, Dean, Media, Trades and Technology, and Professor Alexander McGlashan spoke about the new programs and the first cohort of students, who began their studies this September.
Minister Quinn visits NC’s Defence Systems Engineering Technology and Defence Systems Engineering Technician labs.
Developed in direct response to government priorities and labour market needs, the new two- and three-year programs provide students with hands-on learning opportunities in defence systems engineering. In the labs, Bender highlighted the practical training students will receive, as well as the two-decade foundation of photonics education at Niagara College that helped establish the foundation for the new programs.
The tour continued to NC’s Paramedic labs, where Paramedic Program Manager JB Estrabillo highlighted the College’s role as a key provider of paramedic education for the Niagara Region and Hamilton. He also spoke about the growth of the program and the College’s work to help address the growing demand for skilled paramedics.
NC is a key provider of paramedic education for the Niagara Region and Hamilton.
Minister Quinn met with Paramedic students, who demonstrated some of the first responder skills they have been developing through their hands-on training.
The visit also included a stop outside the construction site of NC’s new Health Education building. President Kennedy highlighted how the 75,000-square-foot mass timber facility will help double enrolment in health programs, supporting the development of the skilled health-care workforce needed in Niagara and beyond.
Minister Quinn’s visit coincided with the provincial government’s announcement of the results of Niagara College’s Priority Growth Fund application. The competitive funding program supports enrolment growth in priority areas aligned with labour market needs, including STEM, health care, skilled trades, education and transportation.
