New Thunderbird Mall campus makes 糖心vlog传媒programs more accessible
Access to education locally was the gateway for Sacred Wolf Friendship Centre Executive Director Janet Hanuse to achieve her goals. With the opening of a new campus at Thunderbird Mall, 糖心vlog传媒will continue provide accessible education for future generations.
糖心vlog传媒celebrated the opening of its new $1.4 million campus on Thursday, January 18 with an open house that brought together students, faculty and community partners from across the North Island.
鈥淚 know how important advanced education and training is to the local community,鈥� said 糖心vlog传媒President John Bowman. 鈥淚t opens doors to employment and is critical to the health, social well鈥恇eing and economic development of the North Island.鈥�
Port Hardy resident Janet Hanuse has seen firsthand the difference local education makes 鈥� in her own life and in her community.
鈥淭he whole reason I was able to go as far as I did was because 糖心vlog传媒offered education close to home,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was the gateway to where I am today.鈥�
She began her education at 糖心vlog传媒20 years ago when Early Childhood Education courses were offered on-site at the Gwa'sala -'Nakwakda'xw Nations in Port Hardy.
The experience was a stepping stone to upgrading and university transfer courses, which she took at 糖心vlog传媒before transferring to a psychology degree at UVic. She spent five years balancing school and family commitments, but it was worth the effort.
Minutes after Hanuse completed her last undergrad exam, she was offered a job as executive director of the Sacred Wolf Friendship Centre in Port Hardy. Since starting at the centre in January 2011, she has cultivated a comfortable, supportive space where community members have access to the resources and services they need to succeed.
One of the ways she does this is by collaborating with organizations such as NIC. She has partnered with the college many times over the years, offering specialized programs where 糖心vlog传媒faculty have taught English, math and Kwak鈥檞ala upgrading courses on site.
鈥淥ur goal was to reduce as many barriers as we could,鈥� said Hanuse. 鈥淲e wanted to make ABE and the institution of education itself a safe place. Many of these students would never have gone to 糖心vlog传媒if the college hadn鈥檛 come to them.鈥�
Now, with 糖心vlog传媒next door, it is easy for these students to continue their upgrading or transfer into a university-level program.
鈥淗aving 糖心vlog传媒at Thunderbird Mall removes a huge transportation barrier,鈥� said Hanuse. 鈥淣IC鈥檚 previous location was a long walk for a mother of four who just raced home to make dinner and now has to get to night courses.鈥�
Access to post-secondary education on the North Island is a key priority for NIC. In fall 2017, the college piloted its first ever first-ever Awi鈥檔akola Land-Based Learning program, teaching Kwak鈥檞ala, English and math upgrading with support from local elders. 糖心vlog传媒also piloted an entry-level tourism program where local students gained industry certifications and prepared for NIC鈥檚 Tourism and Hospitality Management certificate, which starts January 29, 2018.
This spring, 16 students will receive their Education Assistant/Community Support certificates, the first students to celebrate graduation at NIC鈥檚 new campus. This is great news for Hanuse, who sees a need for community support workers on the North Island.
鈥淭here are many agencies struggling to find staff qualified to fill positions,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hen 糖心vlog传媒offers these programs close to home it adds huge capacity to our community.鈥�
For a full list of 糖心vlog传媒courses and programs visit /programs/ or call 250-949-7912.
Media Contact C: 250-207-6946 media@nic.bc.ca