Northwest Community College Connections

NWCC Skills Canada BC Regional Trades Competition 2013 Winners

Junior Skills Category
Spaghetti Bridge — Students from Mount Elizabeth Middle School in Kitimat BC came away with the top prizes with Jared’s team taking first place. Congratulations to all participants, who learned today that spaghetti is not a great building material.

Secondary Skills Category
Automotive
1st place: Scott Beertema, Hazelton Secondary, Hazelton BC
2nd place: Jordan McNiece, Caledonia Senior Secondary, Terrace BC
3rd place: Andrew Martel, Northwest Community College

Carpentry — sponsored by Progressive Ventures
1st place: Brayden Fulljames, Smithers Secondary, Smithers BC
2nd place: William Helps, Smithers Secondary, Smithers BC
3rd place: Kristian Vidal, Caledonia Senior Secondary, Terrace BC

Culinary Arts — sponsored by Sysco Vancouver
1st place: Ben Williams, Hazelton Secondary, Hazelton BC
2nd place: Luc Statham, Charles Hayes Secondary, Prince Rupert BC
3rd place: Phil Ralston, Caledonia Secondary, Terrace BC

Welding — sponsored by KBR
1st place: Kolton Miller, Northwest Community College
2nd place: Jeremy Soares, Caledonia Senior Secondary, Terrace BC
3rd place: Colton Szmata, Mount Elizabeth Middle School, Kitimat BC

Electrical Wiring
1st place: Chris Leblanc, Northwest Community College
2nd place: Duncan Fisher, Northwest Community College
3rd place: Josh Clark, Northwest Community College

Post-Secondary Category
Automotive
1st place: Jocelyn Harris, Northwest Community College
2nd place, tie: Bertram Gonu and Cody Nelson, Northwest Community College

Carpentry
1st place: Brandon Stella, Northwest Community College
2nd place: Ian Fromm, Northwest Community College
3rd place: James Haley, Northwest Community College

Culinary Arts — sponsored by Sysco Vancouver
1st place: Candice Thomas, Northwest Community College
2nd place: Janelle Robinson, Northwest Community College
3rd place: Leah Kolesar, Northwest Community College

Electrical Wiring
1st place: Shonte William, Northwest Community College
2nd place: Linnea Waechter, Northwest Community College
3rd place: Allen Noordhoff, Northwest Community College


Thank you to the sponsors of the Skills Canada BC Regional Competition:
KBR
Progressive Ventures Construction
Galore Creek Mining Corporation
Avanti Kitsault Mine Ltd
Imperial Metals
Shell
Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines
Sysco Vancouver
Classic Rock CFNR

Prizes were donated by these generous local businesses:
Convoy Construction Supplies
Spectra Energy
Kaman Industrial Technologies
Rudon Hydraulics Ltd
EB Horsman & Son
Air Liquide
Praxair
NAPA Auto Parts
McCarthy Motors GM
Finning Canada
Western Equipment Ltd
Canadian Tire

Taking the spring/summer off? Not at NWCC

The 2011 group that made up the Stewart/Telegraph Creek Field School class visits awe-inspiring Salmon Glacier near Stewart and Hyder, Alaska.

 

TERRACE – Northwest Community College's (NWCC) Spring/Summer semester has kicked into gear with a variety of courses to choose from, including the flexibility of online options.

A highlight of NWCC's Spring/Summer semester is the field schools experience, with on-campus and in-the-field learning. In 2012, NWCC offers four such intensive and unique opportunities: the Cultural Heritage of the Skeena and Bulkley Valley Field School from April 30 to May 18 at NWCC Smithers Campus; Kitlope Field School from June 15-28 at NWCC Terrace Campus; Haida Gwaii Field School from July 18-31 at the Haida Heritage Centre at Kaay Llnagaay, plus Terrace videoconference; and Stewart/Telegraph Creek Field School from Aug. 15-31 at NWCC Terrace Campus.

Field school students get the bonus of earning credits—each field school includes one to two different courses with up to six University Credits—that may satisfy requirements as a core or elective course for a College credential.

In addition to the popular field schools, NWCC offers a variety of Spring/Summer semester courses to choose from with starting dates from now until August. A selection of courses is also available for online and distance learning.

"Northwest Community College's Spring/Summer semester courses offer flexibility for our students," says Lianne Gagnon, NWCC Dean of Student Development & Instruction. "These courses and the field schools are ideal for those students who want to keep their minds active, get a head start on the fall semester or get additional course credits in a short amount of time, or those who are seeking a hands-on and unique learning experience." 

Go to Northwest Connect today and find a course or field school that suits you this Spring/Summer semester. Click the "Guests" link, then click "Search for Classes." On the new page, choose 2012 Spring/Summer from the "Term" drop down list and enter search by the "Subject" and/or  "Location" drop down lists. Then, scroll to the bottom of the page and click "Submit."

NWCC is a valuable community asset, impacting the lives of students and our communities. Through its nine campuses, 500-plus employees and an annual injection of over $30 million into the local economy, NWCC is an economic engine supporting the many communities that look to us to provide innovative programs and services.

Playground coming to Port Clements thanks to NWCC student’s initiative

NWCC Early Childhood Education student Colleen Beachy is well on her way to bringing a playground suitable for children under the age of five to this open space in Port Clements.

HAIDA GWAII – Northwest Community College (NWCC) student Colleen Beachy is riding a wave of positive momentum in her bid to bring a playground to the Haida Gwaii community of Port Clements.

A student in the Early Childhood Education (ECE) program, Beachy is taking initiative after she saw a need in her community for young children under the age of five.

"When I was in my practicum, we had the children outside to play a lot,” said Beachy. “I really saw the importance of outside time for the kids."

Despite being a busy student, Beachy began to ask around, research playgrounds and sought the support of the local school district and Port Clements Elementary School, where she is a noon-hour supervisor. She knew there was a big empty space on the property of the new multi-purpose building in Port Clements and thought since it was in a neighbourhood with families and young children, it would make for an ideal location. Before she knew it, she had learnt about a funding opportunity with Success by Six, she had a received letters of support and the idea was, as she put it, “snowballing.”

Her application to the Success by Six grant was approved for $4,600. Beachy didn’t stop there. She then applied to the school PAC (Parent Advisory Council) and received a further $2,000. The determined student has since applied for a third government grant for $12,000 and, if successful, she plans to ask the Gwaii Trust Society—a fund established to advance economic diversification and sustainable development on Haida Gwaii—to match her funds.

Jessica Hrechka Fee, ECE program Coordinator and Professor, says she’s been awed by Beachy’s determination to meet a need she identified for the betterment of her community.

“She saw a need in her community for young children and she put her learning into action,” said Hrechka Fee. “Being a student did not limit her, but encouraged her. It is inspiring to see our students put learning into action in their communities.  Colleen is a passionate advocate for the early years and she is showing it!"

The bigger picture, adds Hrechka Fee, is that the community of Port Clements can see the role of college students and Early Childhood Educators and, eventually, children will have age appropriate play space in the community.

Short-term programs offer employment-ready skills at NWCC

TERRACE – Northwest Community College’s (NWCC) Workforce Training & Continuing Studies (WTCS) department is offering several short-term training options in various Northwest communities designed to prepare students for work in a number of in-demand fields.

These programs meet the training needs of Northwest BC communities, assist unemployed individuals gain employment in industry, and ensure opportunities for a well-trained local workforce for the major projects on the horizon in the Northwest. These programs begin in January and February and are being offered at NWCC campuses and, in some cases, delivered in First Nations communities.

Construction Trades Helpers & Labourers is an eight-week program delivered in three sections: Safety Certificates, comprising WHMIS, Helicopter & Chainsaw Safety, Traffic Control Flagging, Bear Awareness, and more; Basics of Construction, with training in Backfill & Compaction, Basics of Concrete, Working Safely around Electricity and more; and Skills for Work & Life, covering skills such as Working in Teams, Time Management, Business of Listening, Job Search & Interviews and more. This program started in Terrace last week and begins in Gitanyow on Feb. 20 and in Prince Rupert on March 26.

A Value Added Carpentry program in Gitwangak started last week, which gives students employment-ready skills, while simultaneously benefitting the First Nations communities of Gitwangak, Gitsegukla and Gitanyow through practical projects the students work on during the course, as participants gain news skills for work at home and in major projects throughout the region. The 5-module program begins with the Carpentry Foundation program – Level 1 curriculum that includes 450 work-based hours credit towards completion of Carpenter Level 1 Apprenticeship Program. Modules 2-4 are composed of Safety Certification, ITA Essential Skills and Skills for Work & Life. Module 5 is the Residential Building Maintenance program, an additional four weeks of hand-on skills for the repair and maintenance of residential buildings in accordance with federal, provincial and local building codes and bylaws and BC Safety Authority Regulations.

Industry Field Medic (Terrace – Feb. 6 - March 2; Smithers – Feb. 13 - March 7; Haida Gwaii – Feb. 27 - March 20; and Hazelton – March 12 - Apr. 12) is an intensive four-week program that includes certification in a number of industry-specific training, including WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System), plus a Job Search Essentials (job search, resumé writing, networking & interview preparation) course.

Changing gears, the Essential Office Skills program (Terrace Jan. 30 – Mar. 16, Prince Rupert Feb 20 – Apr 13 and Haida Gwaii Jan. 23 – Mar. 16) is an intensive seven-week program that prepares participants with the communication, business, and computer skills essential for a career in business or office environments.

The program is delivered in 8 modules: Customer Service Skills, Office Environment, Communication, Computer Skills, Business Writing, Accounting, Time Management and Jobs & Careers.

And in Terrace, starting Feb. 13, get trained in what is estimated to be one of the most sought after trades in the Northwest over the next decade—Heavy Equipment Operator. The 10-week program prepares participants with the knowledge, skills and certifications needed to begin a career in Heavy Equipment Operation. It also includes hands-on experience along with essential and life/business skill development training. The program is delivered in nine modules: Industry Orientation & Overview; Tool & Equipment Operation & Maintenance; Civil Engineering Principles; Worksite Preparation; Safety Certifications; Skills for Work & Life; Equipment Operational Theory; Seat Time on Equipment; and Job Search Skills.

Each of these programs is partly funded by the Canada-BC Labour Market Agreement, which provides money for students that are eligible for the Employment Skills Access (ESA) program. To find out if you’re eligible, contact Charlynn Toews at [email protected] or 1.877.277.2288 Ext. 5357.

Students treasure the Haida Gwaii Field School experience

Northwest Community College students in this summer's Haida Gwaii Field School kayak in the spectacular surroundings of world-famous Haida Gwaii.

 

HAIDA GWAII – Northwest Community College (NWCC) likes to head outdoors at every opportunity. After all, its unique geographic surroundings make for a near boundless wilderness classroom for some of its programs and courses. And perhaps no other NWCC program takes advantage of this more than the Haida Gwaii Field School, which ran this summer through late July and into August.

An intensive and awe-inspiring learning experience on the remote island archipelago of Haida Gwaii, it is one of five field schools offered by NWCC during the 2011 spring and summer semesters. Haida Gwaii Field School students not only earn three university credits in both First Nation Studies and Anthropology for a total of six university credits, they benefit from experiential hands-on learning, they explore a completely unique marine and terrestrial ecosystem—all while being guided by the Haida people and being immersed in their culturally-rich environments and way of life.

Unique to the field school this year was Haida instructor Barbara Wilson, whose Haida name is Kii’iljuus. Wilson is a respected matriarch, and scholar, who guided and inspired students in their learning on Haida Gwaii. Wilson joined NWCC Anthropology instructor Sheree Ronaasen, from Terrace, who has led the Haida Gwaii Field School since its beginning in 2009.

“Since we’ve started offering this field school, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard it was a life changing experience,” said Ronaasen. “The students’ immersion in Haida culture and the hands-on instruction brings a deeper understanding than anything they could’ve learned from a textbook. It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Students experienced and acquired knowledge from a variety of different landscapes and cultural settings over the two-week field school. For example, while kayaking on Mosquito Lake at Mount Moresby Adventure Camp, they learned about endangered plants and traditional Haida plant usages. They travelled by boat with Moresby Explorers to visit the old Haida villages of Hlkinul Llnagaay (Cumshewa) and K’uuna Llnagaay (Skedans). Seeing the few remaining poles that still stand there, the students were greatly impressed by the Haida life-ways, and village locations on the ocean shorelines of Cumshewa Inlet and Hecate Strait.

Said student Doris Gorrell: “The difference between sitting in the class and being told about Haida Gwaii and the Haida way of life, and actually experiencing the unique environment and learning from a Haida Elder, is like night and day,” she said, adding. “Seeing the old village sites of Cumshewa and Skedans was an emotional experience. Altogether, I have a whole new way of seeing my world after seeing the Haida’s.”

Ronaasen says the field school was enhanced by the help of Candace Weir from Old Masset, due to her knowledge of the Haida language, and for the Long House tour by outstanding Haida artist and carver Christian White. Finally, students witnessed the launch of an important book titled That Which Makes Us Haida, which honours the Haida Elders and students working to preserve the endangered Haida language. The class was invited to the special ceremonies, dance, song and dinner associated with the book launch hosted at the Haida Heritage centre.

 

Coastal Log Scaling course trains next generation

MASSET – With the steady rebirth of BC’s forestry and logging industries comes a renewed demand for skilled forestry workers, and Northwest Community College (NWCC) continues to lead the way in providing industry-specific training and certifications to meet these growing demands.

Thanks to an investment in workforce training by Taan Forest Ltd. and support from other local logging companies, NWCC is offering a Coastal Log Scaling course on Haida Gwaii for the first time in its history.

Eight students are enrolled in the course, which is running in Masset on weekends from May to October. The Coastal Log Scaling course prepares students for the Coastal Log Scaling exam which will be administered by the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations in October 2011. This is the first time that the Log Exam has been offered on the coast since 2006.

“The economy has had dramatic effects on the coastal logging industry in recent years. Locally, there are signs of improvement in the economy with the increase in logging activity,” says instructor Lawrence Musgrave. “Presently, there is a demand for Coastal Log Scalers, and especially as much of the work force moves towards retirement.”

Log Scaling plays an important role for government, industry, and other parties. It determines the volume of timber harvested and the quality of that timber. Scaling data is used to invoice the forest industry for stumpage and to administer the annual allowable cut.  The Coastal Log Scaler is the key to providing a meaningful and accurate scale for these purposes.

“The forestry industry on Haida Gwaii is in a process of renewal, as it seeks to operate in an environmentally sustainable way while still competing in a global market place. NWCC is committed to supporting this renewal, and part of that process involves training the next generation of skilled forestry workers here on-island,” states Ken Leslie, NWCC Director of Education - Haida Gwaii. “A strong partnership with local industry has afforded us this opportunity to offer the Coastal Log Scaling course in Masset, and we are grateful for that support.”

Taan Forest Ltd., a Haida-owned business of the Haida Enterprise Company, has the responsibility of overall management of a substantial holding of the future forest harvesting on Haida Gwaii with the core objectives of sound sustainable forest management and improving the overall employment opportunities and benefits from the forest sector to the Haida people and all communities on Haida Gwaii.