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Sask Colleges responds to IRCC International Student Policy
January 29, 2024Sask Colleges responds to IRCC International Student PolicyNorth Battleford, SK/Meadow Lake, SK - Last week Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced significant changes to international student program policy. These changes will see a national reduction to overall numbers of international students in the country and changes to the length of post-graduate work permit periods that students receive upon graduation.   Saskatchewan Colleges, an international recruitment and admissions partnership between Great Plains, North West and Suncrest College, was pleased to see that the IRCC policy changes were not blanketed nationally, and Saskatchewan is one of few provinces positioned to see a provincial allocation of international students that allows for reasonable increases from 2022 levels. The provincial government will be responsible for distributing Saskatchewan’s allocation amongst post-secondary institutes within the province. “We are working closely with our post-secondary partners and the provincial government to ensure that rural voices are heard and that we are provided the opportunity to continue to serve our communities and local economies through international education,” said Kristy Sletten, Manager of International Admissions at Saskatchewan Colleges. “Saskatchewan Colleges has always ensured the programs available to international students are aligned with local labour market needs that cannot be filled by Saskatchewan residents alone. We’re helping train skilled workers for careers in high-demand industries including business, healthcare, human services, hospitality and early childhood education to ensure these services are maintained in our communities.” Currently, rural Saskatchewan has more jobs than it does residents of working age. In 2023-24, Saskatchewan Colleges welcomed over 300 international students to rural Saskatchewan to help address this shortfall. The vast majority of these students are in blended cohort programs which means there are both domestic and international students in the same classrooms. "Often, within the public discourse, the conversation can lead to worrisome conclusions that international students are impairing access for Canadians to pursue post-secondary programming. The truth within Saskatchewan Colleges is the exact opposite – international students are helping preserve program access for domestic students and First Nations in Saskatchewan,” said Eli Ahlquist, President and CEO at North West College. “Interest within our college service regions from domestic students is often insufficient to run a program with a reasonable cost per student. By supplementing domestic enrolments with international students, we are preserving, and often increasing, post-secondary access in a cost-efficient manner for tax payers and all students.” Additionally, Saskatchewan Colleges member institutions are not impaired by the same challenges to find suitable housing that is occurring in many of the urban jurisdictions across the country.  “Throughout the service regions within Saskatchewan Colleges, the vacancy rates for rental units have typically averaged above the 3 per cent national average and well above out of province jurisdictions sitting around 1 per cent vacancy,” said Brad Mahon, President and CEO at Great Plains College.  “The benefit of affordable housing combined with individualized on-campus supports and modest class sizes ensure students are provided with an exceptional learning experience.”  “We’re able to provide international students a supportive and quality educational experience and a great environment to live and work in rural Saskatchewan,” added Alison Dubreuil, CEO and President at Suncrest College. “We’re optimistic that by demonstrating the positive impact that international education is having on rural Saskatchewan, the allocation of international students provided by the provincial government will continue to meet the needs of our local labour markets and the communities we serve.”  -30-   Saskatchewan Colleges is an international recruitment and admissions partnership between Great Plains, North West and Suncrest Colleges. The colleges have been working collaboratively since October 2021 to serve international students in rural Saskatchewan.  North West College operates two primary campuses and 21 learning centres throughout the North West region of the province. Responding to the needs of students and local industry, for more than four decades, North West College has delivered training and services to facilitate growth in the communities it serves. The college offers programs in trades, health and community services, academic upgrading and university transfers. It has campuses in North Battleford and Meadow Lake and provides programming for 30 communities, including 20 First Nations communities, spread over 44,000 sq. km.    For more information Amy MasseManager of Marketing and CommunicationsGreat Plains College306-737-6107amym@greatplainscollege.ca Tanya MurphyCoordinator, Marketing and CommunicationsNorth West College306-240-4049tanya.murphy@northwestcollege.ca     
SRC and NWC Collaborate on PVC Welding Micro-Credential
November 17, 2023SRC and NWC Collaborate on PVC Welding Micro-CredentialRelease Date: November 17, 2023  Today the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) and North West College announce a new, innovative plastic welding pilot program that will be the first-of-its-kind in Saskatchewan. This exciting collaboration represents a significant step forward in addressing the growing demand for skilled professionals in the field of plastics welding. In fall 2023, SRC worked collaboratively with North West College to develop a plastic welding pilot program which the college has now successfully turned into a value-added, micro-credential program, geared to individuals looking to expand their welding capabilities. This program includes short-term, focused training that equips students with the specialized skills required for welding polyvinyl chloride (PVC) materials. PVC welding is a critical skill in industries such as construction, manufacturing and infrastructure development. “This government is dedicated to supporting training initiatives, like this one, that foster specialized professional development,” Minister Responsible for SRC Jeremy Harrison said. “This program will help train a new generation of specialized plastic welders, growing Saskatchewan’s manufacturing and fabrication workforce, offering exciting career options in technology, engineering and construction fields.” Students in the non-credit, two-week micro-credential program will have access to state-of-the-art welding equipment and facilities at North West College’s Meadow Lake campus. In the pilot stage of the program, students will also have the opportunity to practice their new skills at SRC’s solvent extraction fabrication facility in Saskatoon. “SRC is proud of this collaboration and the opportunity to help train and offer a unique skillset  to students at North West College,” SRC President and CEO Mike Crabtree said. “This specialized pilot program supports Saskatchewan employment and economic growth.” The PVC welding micro-credential program welcomed its first cohort to participate in the pilot in fall 2023 and North West College is actively recruiting for spring 2024. Interested individuals are encouraged to visit the North West College website for more information. “We are excited to collaborate with SRC on this ground-breaking initiative,” North West College President and CEO Dr. Eli Ahlquist said. “This PVC welding micro-credential program will not only provide our students with the skills they need to thrive in the workforce, but also contribute to the growth of industries that rely on PVC welding expertise.”   SRC is Canada's second largest research and technology organization. With nearly 350 employees, $232 million in annual revenue and 76 years of RD&D experience, SRC provides services and products to its 1,600 clients in 22 countries around the world. For more information and to access the media kit, go to www.src.sk.ca/media-kit. North West College operates two primary campuses and 21 learning centres throughout the North West region of the province. Responding to the needs of students and local industry, for more than four decades, North West College has delivered training and services to facilitate growth in the communities it serves. The college offers programs in trades, health and community services, academic upgrading and university transfers. It has campuses in North Battleford and Meadow Lake and provides programming for 30 communities, including 20 First Nations communities, spread over 44,000 sq. km.    -30-   For Media Inquiries, please contact:  Tanya MurphyCoordinator, Marketing and CommunicationsNorth West College306-240-4049tanya.murphy@northwestcollege.ca Francois BiberSaskatchewan Research CouncilSaskatoon306-385-4187francois.biber@src.sk.ca    
NWC and USask join forces to Expand Registered Nursing Education
November 9, 2023NWC and USask join forces to Expand Registered Nursing EducationNORTH BATTLEFORD – North West College and the University of Saskatchewan (USask) are proud to announce a partnership to bring expanded educational opportunities to students of northwest Saskatchewan. This collaborative endeavour will create new pathways for aspiring registered nurses to pursue their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree without leaving their communities. Recognizing the growing demand for health-care professionals and the importance of accessible education, this strategic partnership marks a significant step towards enhancing the region’s health care infrastructure. The joint initiative will not only strengthen health care services across the region, but boost the local economy as well. Key Highlights of the Partnership: Learn Where You Live: Under this partnership, USask and North West College will work hand-in-hand to deliver the BSN program directly in northwest Saskatchewan. This means students will have the opportunity to complete their undergraduate nursing degree without having to relocate to larger urban centres. State-of-the-Art Facilities: North West College has recently renovated the new Cenovus Energy Simulation Learning Centre, which is a modern, state-of-the-art facility with enhanced technology, ensuring students receive a high-quality education that supports the achievement of the entry-level competencies for registered nurses. Expert Faculty: Students will benefit from the teaching of experienced faculty members from both institutions dedicated to providing quality education and mentoring. Meeting Health Care Demands: By expanding access to registered nursing education, the initiative aims to address the increasing health care needs of the region and contribute to the growth and stabilization of the nursing workforce. Dr. Eli Ahlquist, president & CEO of North West College, expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating, “This collaboration is a significant step forward in our mission to provide educational opportunities that meet the unique needs of our community. It is a win-win situation for both students and the region’s health care sector.” “The University of Saskatchewan is committed to making quality nursing education accessible to all, regardless of geographical location,” said USask College of Nursing Dean Dr. Solina Richter. “There is a global shortage of registered nurses and it’s felt here in Saskatchewan, especially in our rural and remote communities. This partnership with North West College is an important step forward in the Saskatchewan Health Human Resources Action Plan. We look forward to recruiting and educating the next generation of registered nurses right here in northwest Saskatchewan.” About North West College: Responding to the needs of students and local industry for more than four decades, North West College (NWC) delivers training and services to facilitate the growth of the communities it serves. The college offers programs in trades, health, and community services, academic upgrading and university transfer. It has campuses in North Battleford and Meadow Lake and provides programming for 30 communities, including 20 First Nations communities, spread over 44,000 sq. km. About the University of Saskatchewan College of Nursing: Since 1938, the University of Saskatchewan College of Nursing has been delivering quality nursing education. Using a distributive learning approach, undergraduate and graduate learners are able to learn where they live. Undergraduate programming is offered in Ile-a-la-Crosse, La Ronge, Lloydminster, North Battleford, Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon, and Yorkton. The College of Nursing has a long history of Indigenous student success and is recognized as having the highest number of self-declared Indigenous nursing students in Canada. USask Nursing faculty are addressing some of the most pressing health-care issues and leading innovations in health-care education. -30-   For media inquiries, please contact: Tanya MurphyCo-ordinator, Marketing and CommunicationsNorth West CollegeDirect: 306-234-5118Cell: 306-240-4049tanya.murphy@northwestcollege.ca Kylie Kelso Senior Marketing and Communications Specialist University of Saskatchewan College of Nursing Cell: 306-281-8448 kylie.kelso@usask.ca

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