Conestoga College

[IEFBR14]

New nurse practitioner-led clinic to open at Conestoga College

A new nurse practitioner-led health clinic will be opening in Kitchener on Conestoga College’s Doon campus.

The clinic — expected to serve more than 3,200 in the area — currently without primary care — was announced Monday by Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Leeanna Pendergast as one of 14 being added across the province.

Those are among 25 nurse practitioner-led clinics which should all be open in 2012 to serve more than 40,000 patients.

Details about the new Kitchener clinic are not yet finalized and the college, which put in the proposal to the Ministry of Health, will work with the government to settle on location and staffing.

Pendergast hopes to see the clinic opened within a year, and thinks Conestoga College is the perfect location.

“The college already exemplifies a team model,” she said.

Nurse practitioners can treat common illnesses and injuries and order tests, and work with doctors, nurses, dietitians, social workers and other providers in a team approach to health care, including an emphasis on chronic disease management.

John Milloy, Kitchener Centre MPP and Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, said it’s important for the government to look at new ways of delivering health care considering the growing pressure on the system.

“We have to be creative and we have to do things differently,” he said.

Hospitals are just part of a larger system, and family doctors are not the only professionals able to look after a person’s health care needs, Milloy said.

“We have to move beyond that old model and think about collaborations, think about teams,” he said.

“It’s wonderful news for our community.”

The new clinic is also great news for the college and its school of health and life sciences.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for a true living lab for our learners who are already here,” said chair of nursing Jason Powell, who worked on the proposal.

Not only will Conestoga’s nursing students have a chance at hands-on practice, but also those in occupational and respiratory therapy, and the dietetics and paramedics programs. Finding opportunities for the students to work with real patients, and in a multidisciplinary team, is challenging in this area with all the local hospitals quite a distance from the college campus, Powell said.

“This is amazing.”

[Duke-of-Waterloo]

Conestoga First College in Ontario to Receive Engineering Accreditation
News Release
September 8, 2010 1:09 PM

Conestoga College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning recently made post-secondary education history in Ontario and Canada. Conestoga’s Mechanical Systems Engineering degree program (MSE) has been accredited by Engineers Canada following a thorough review by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB). Conestoga is the first college in Ontario and only second Institute of Technology in Canada to have its engineering degree program accredited.

This full accreditation confirms the acceptance of the MSE degree within the professional community of employers and partners. This accreditation, which began with significant industry consultation, is one more step in the development to ensure that our graduates will have the required knowledge and skills.

“We are very pleased at this validation by the CEAB and Engineers Canada, of the leadership role being taken by Conestoga in Project Based Engineering Education in Ontario”, said Dr. John Tibbits, President of Conestoga.

“This accreditation is the confirmation of the high quality program standards set by Conestoga and is the result of a significant effort by many faculty members, college staff, industry partners and employers” said Mike McClements, Executive Dean, Conestoga’s School of Engineering & Information Technology. “Whether you’re a prospective student or the parent of a prospective student, the accreditation, along with our unique Project Based Delivery Model and high co-op and graduation placement rates, will continue to make this program very attractive for young people considering a career in engineering.”

The accreditation is also very positive news for the local community as it allows greater access to quality engineering programs for area students.

“As a graduate of the MSE program this accreditation is an important step in my professional development” said Sean Phillips who will be attending the University of Waterloo this fall in their Masters in Mechanical Engineering (M.A.Sc.) program. “I actually started in the three-year diploma program at Conestoga, Mechanical Engineering –Design and Analysis, worked for five years and then came back to Conestoga and was able to bridge into the third year of the MSE degree. Having that pathway available was very valuable to me.”

The Mechanical Systems Engineering program is a 4-year, co-op bachelor’s degree. Engineers Canada is a national organization that accredits undergraduate engineering programs across Canada through the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB). Accreditation facilitates the most direct pathway to Professional Engineering Practice (P.Eng.). Graduates of the program have the academic qualifications necessary for registration as Engineers-In-Training (EIT), part of the process, to full licensure as practicing Professional Engineers (P.Eng.).

“Professional Engineers Ontario is the licensing and regulating body for Ontario's 73,000 engineers” said PEO President Diane Freeman. “Students graduating from an accredited engineering program in Canada are eligible for licensure upon completion of four years of Canadian experience. PEO believes that having all professional engineers accountable to the public through licences and Certificates of Authorization ensures that public safety is protected.”

Conestoga and the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), both members of Polytechnics Canada, are the first non-universities to receive engineering accreditation from the CEAB.

For more information contact Mike McClements 519.748.5220 ext. 3251 or Paul Osborne, Executive Director Corporate Communications 519.748.5220 ext. 3419 or posborne@conestogac.on.ca .

http://blogs1.conestogac.on.ca/news/2010/09/conestoga_first_college_in_ont.php

[Shawn]

This is great news!! Conestoga College is my alma mater and I would love to see it become the next 'Ryerson' and offer both diplomas and degrees over a wide range of education areas.

[KLM]

thats great news indeed ,since I graduated from Robotics and Automation program back in 2004.I tried to get into bachelor program last year plus I had credits from overseas that would qualify.

To keep story short ,I wonder how Sean Phillips was able to go straight to 3rd year?
I know college requires ton of credits to qualify for this degree.

As current employment picture is ,employers like to have university grads, and that is understanable since everybody want best for their buck.

[UrbanWaterloo]

Conestoga President’s Term Renewed to 2015
March 11, 2011 | Conestoga College | Link



Conestoga's Board of Governors is pleased to announce that president Dr. John Tibbits will continue to lead the College through the largest expansion in its history, thanks to a recent agreement that extends his term though June, 2015.

The decision was announced by Craig Richardson, chair of the Board of Governors, following a board meeting on February 28.
President John Tibbits

“Conestoga has flourished under John’s leadership,” said Richardson. “His tremendous knowledge and experience will play an instrumental role in our success through this unprecedented period of growth as we work to build Conestoga into a world-class polytechnic institute.”

With the support of government and community partners, Conestoga has launched the first phase of a campus expansion and revitalization project that will include the addition of 400,000 square feet of new buildings across five campuses within the next three years. When completed, the expansion will provide state-of-the-art facilities and leading-edge applied learning programs for more 15,000 full-time students and serve the needs of business, industry and the community through education, applied research and training.

“I am delighted that I will be able to see this first phase of expansion through to fruition,” said Tibbits. “I look forward to working with the Board and the Conestoga community on the many opportunities that lie ahead.”
John Tibbits has been president of Conestoga Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning since 1987. Prior to joining

Conestoga, he held senior administrative positions at Dawson College in Montreal, Touche Ross & Partners in Ottawa and Canada Post Corporation in Ottawa. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Diploma in Education from McGill University, a Master of Education from the University of Vermont and a Doctorate in Education from Boston University.

[UrbanWaterloo]

Pre-Apprenticeship Training In Guelph and Waterloo Leading To Good Jobs
March 15, 2011 | Conestoga College | Link



44 unemployed youth in Guelph and Waterloo will soon begin training to become apprentices in several trades thanks to an investment from the province of Ontario.

In Guelph, Conestoga College, along with the John Howard Society and Lutherwood, will receive $230, 000 to deliver a pre-apprenticeship training program that will help 20 unemployed youth develop the skills they need to work in the Heavy Equipment Operator trade. In Waterloo, Conestoga College, along with the John Howard Society and Lutherwood, will receive $261,996 to develop a pre-apprenticeship training program that will help 24 unemployed youth train in the Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic, Plumber and Gas Technician trades.

More than 120,000 apprentices are learning a skilled trade today to help keep Ontario’s economy strong in the future. The government funds pre-apprenticeship training courses across the province.

The McGuinty government's Open Ontario Plan is helping to build the most highly skilled and educated workforce in the world, securing a strong economy for the future.

Quotes

"Conestoga College is a leader in training and an important contributor to the economic development of Guelph. I’m pleased that they’re working with us to help people develop the skills needed to be an apprentice.”
- Liz Sandals, MPP for Guelph

“Conestoga College is a leader in skilled trades training for Waterloo Region. I’m pleased that they’re working with the Ontario government to help people develop the skills to succeed as an apprentice so that we will have the skilled workers we need to succeed in tomorrow’s economy.”
- Leeanna Pendergast, MPP for Kitchener-Conestoga.

“Ontario needs skilled workers to keep our economy strong and help local communities across the province become stronger and more prosperous. Ontario is investing in our apprenticeship and skilled trades to help more people build better futures for themselves and for all of us.”
- John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities

Quick Facts

• Ontario is investing almost $8 million in 36 pre-apprenticeship training projects in 2011.
• Projects now include exposure to multiple trades to provide participants with a greater awareness of trade options.
• Since 2003, pre-apprenticeship training has helped more than 5,400 people train to become apprentices.
• There are more than 150 trades in the construction, industrial, motive power and service sectors that offer apprenticeships.

[DHLawrence]

College to boost Preston?
Ray Martin, Cambridge Times

The new Cambridge campus of Conestoga College is being seen as an opportunity for Preston retailers, as well as restaurant and property owners.

At Wednesday’s monthly Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) meeting, there was general consensus the new college campus opening next September will be a potential financial boon for Preston.

They'll have Preston Heights to live in, downtown Preston to shop in, and Cambridge Centre at the other end of a bus line--what more could students ask for? Bring on the students!

[UrbanWaterloo]

Canada's Industrial and Regional Benefits Policy Generates Significant Investment in Kitchener
November 10, 2011 | Industry Canada | Link

Harold Albrecht, Member of Parliament for Kitchener–Conestoga, on behalf of the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry, today visited Conestoga College's Cambridge campus to celebrate an investment in the future of Canada's aerospace industry. As part of its Industrial and Regional Benefits (IRB) commitments, Lockheed Martin Corporation announced an investment valued at $3.7 million to Conestoga College to support the establishment of a training program related to the aerospace sector.

"This investment is a prime example of the valuable partnerships created as a result of the Industrial and Regional Benefits Policy," said Minister Paradis. "This gives students high-quality learning materials and provides Canada's future aerospace experts with the skills and training they need to keep Canada's aerospace industry ahead of the pack."

As part of this investment, to the benefit of its graduate and undergraduate students, Conestoga College will receive Lockheed Martin Corporate Engineering and Project Management training course material until 2017.

"This is a major investment in Canadian education and a big win for the Kitchener region," said Mr. Albrecht. "Today's announcement is a great example of academia and industry working together and a reflection of the partnerships and investments the IRB Policy was designed to promote."

Lockheed Martin's investment is being made as part of the company's IRB commitments related to Canada's CP-140 Aurora Structural Life Extension Project procurement. These strategic maritime surveillance aircraft are used by the Canadian Forces to patrol Canada's coastlines, safeguarding our waters from foreign threats.

Canada's IRB Policy requires firms that win military contracts to place economic benefits into Canada equal to 100 percent of the contract value. This means that the company must generate one dollar of economic activity in Canada for every dollar of the contract, creating jobs and training Canadian workers for future initiatives. More than 60 major procurements are subject to the IRB policy, representing over $21 billion in IRB commitments from major defence contractors.