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Over $100,000 Available in Scholarships to NWC Students
September 9, 2024Over $100,000 Available in Scholarships to NWC StudentsClasses are back in session at North West College, and we’re thrilled to welcome students for another year of learning! As the hallways buzz with activity, we recognize that some students may face financial challenges that could hinder their ability to fully focus on their studies. North West College reminds students that there are numerous scholarship opportunities available to help ease the cost of education. We are also here to provide personalized assistance with applying for student loans and other funding sources. We are pleased to announce that over $100,000 in scholarships and bursaries are available! Last year, an equal amount of funds were awarded to students based on both financial need and academic merit. These scholarships are made possible through the generous donations and support of local businesses, along with matching funds from the Saskatchewan Innovation and Opportunity Scholarship (SIOS) Program, supported by the Government of Saskatchewan. Additionally, there are five NEW bursaries available through the Indigenous Bursary Program, which enhance financial support to Indigenous students to achieve their education goals at North West College. “We are proud to provide financial support to our students through scholarships, which we know are essential to their academic success” said President Dr. Eli Ahlquist. “These funds reduce barriers for students in our programs, and we know that the end results are improved stress, higher achievement, and ultimately a stronger workforce and community.” If you or someone you know is interested in donating to fund a scholarship, please contact Kris Jones from the Marketing and Communications team at the college. Scholarships can start with donations as low as $100, and most contributions are matched through the SIOS, doubling their impact on students' education and lives. A Donor can set specific criteria for the scholarships, allowing you to showcase your business's commitment to the community, support future professionals, honor a loved one, and more. For more information on scholarships and bursaries available to North West College students, check out the Funding & Scholarships section of our website at www.northwestcollege.ca/funding.html -30- 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 informationKris JonesCoordinator, Marketing and CommunicationsNorth West College306-937-5128kris.jones@northwestcollege.ca
Start a Career in Early Childhood Education, North West College
August 29, 2024Start a Career in Early Childhood Education, North West CollegeThose interested in pursuing a career as an early childhood educator can now do so Tuition-FREE at North West College – including text books.Thanks to funding through the Canada-Saskatchewan Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, the part-time Early Childhood Education (ECE) Level One program is now accepting registrations. This unique educational opportunity enhances access and removes financial barriers for those seeking a career in the field.“This is a significant funding announcement from both the provincial and federal governments, which recognizes the urgent need for more professionals working in the field of early childhood education” said North West College President and CEO Dr. Eli Ahlquist. “This investment is a commitment to removing educational barriers while also ensuring foundational learning is guided by professionals who are prepared with the knowledge and skills to facilitate children’s development.”"We are responding to the needs of the early years sector with tangible actions that allow us to continue recruiting and retaining certified early childhood educators," Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill said. "Trained early childhood educators play an important role in providing high-quality early learning and child care programs in our province."The number of certified early childhood educators in Saskatchewan is growing, with a 15 per cent increase since March 2021. This includes a 30 per cent growth in the number of Early Childhood Educators with a Level Three certification, who work as leaders to support developmentally appropriate programs for the children in their care.Early Childhood Education is offered in 3-Levels, with Levels one, two, and three all being available at North West College (brokered in collaboration with Lakeland College). After completing the Level One program, students can attain certification that allows them to work in the field, while pursuing advanced certifications. The ECE programs are offered at both the North Battleford and Meadow Lake campuses, as well as through a virtual delivery option to provide access through a wide range of formats to those interested in becoming certified as an Early Childhood Educator.If you or someone you know is interested in joining the growing field of early childhood education, information on program offerings is available at www.northwestcollege.ca under the menu headings Programs > Post Secondary > Community Services. The college also welcomes interested parties to drop into reception at either the North Battleford or Meadow Lake campuses to explore options and opportunities available to you, and to make a plan to achieve your career dreams. -30-  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 informationKris JonesCoordinator, Marketing and CommunicationsNorth West College306-937-5128kris.jones@northwestcollege.ca    
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     

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