Partnerships and cutting-edge technology have helped Algonquin College support students, the community and the wider economy during COVID-19
“Post-secondary institutions can retain and enhance the goodwill they have earned as active participants in their communities through this crisis by sharing their expertise,” said Claude Brulé, Algonquin College President and Chief Executive Officer.
Algonquin’s expertise has focused on improving educational experiences and economic opportunities. This includes Indigenous education and training and health-care initiatives, such as:
Partnering with Ottawa Tourism on an Indigenous Tourism Entrepreneurship Training initiative, which will support Indigenous entrepreneurs in the creation and development of their own business and tourism ideas.
Leading a federally-funded, $8.2-million, national job-readiness program for Indigenous, Métis, and Inuit youth. Indigenous YouthBuild Canada brings several First Nations communities together with post-secondary institutions, government, and corporate partners to help more than 400 youth acquire job-ready skills.
Leading a $2.5-million program to provide more than 250 Indigenous youth across Canada with on the job, hands on training and employment skills related to the impact or effects of the pandemic.
Donating thousands of pieces of protective equipment and loaning out ventilators to help local health-care facilities.
We are all in this together and Algonquin College wanted to give back. We do all we can to support the community
Experiential learning and innovative technology are also crucial elements in Algonquin’s efforts to support students and employers. Recent initiatives include:
Partnering with Ciena, one of the region’s biggest tech employers, to enhance the Ottawa campus’ Optophotonics Lab. The upgrade provides students with training on state-of-the-art telecommunications equipment and will help them find career success.
The Cooperative Education Department creating a new work option for students – Entrepreneurship Co-op, or eCo-op – as a proactive response to the pandemic. eCo-op students are their own bosses, partnering with a mentor to develop a business strategy or a business plan.
The College’s new Corporate Training centre launching free, virtual courses to give back to the community during the pandemic.
Preparing to launch a new Cyber Security Analyst Graduate Certificate Program to meet the needs of this rapidly growing job market.
Opening AC Online, the College’s new, digital-only campus, to meet increasing demand for flexible, personalized and quality online education.
Implementing a summer pilot program that saw more than 600 students return to campus to safely complete hands-on components of their programs.
