News

Whitehorse – Yukon College has become the first northern institution to receive eligibility status with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). The Yukon Research Centre (YRC) of Yukon College is now able to access funding that is exclusive to select research centers within Canada.

The NSERC status will add to the already significant research portfolio of YRC. Over the past 6 years, YRC has secured over 8 million dollars in research funding for the Yukon. In 2008, the Centre received eligibility status with the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada. Securing NSERC eligibility allows YRC to broaden its research base and develop more partnerships. “Yukon College has been doing university level research for many years, and with NSERC eligibility we will go even further with our research capabilities and continue to contribute to the knowledge economy of the Yukon”, said Dr. Chris Hawkins, vice-president, Research.

Whitehorse – Of the 21 students and apprentices sent to the Canadian Skills Competition from the Yukon, six were Yukon College (YC) students – current and former. Geordo Matechuk (plumbing) and Mike Trainer (electrical wiring) both won silver medals. Matechuk is a graduate of Yukon College’s Pre-Employment Pipe Trades program. Trainer studied in the electrical pre-employment program.

“Trades and technology instructors at Yukon College are among the best in the country,” stated Dr. Karen Barnes, vice president, Education and Training. In fact, Dan Curtis, executive director, Skills Canada Yukon adds, “Per capita, the Yukon, and Yukon College as its primary trades trainer, receives more medals than any other provinces and territories.”

Being a social work student at Yukon College just got a little bit easier. The Rotary Club of Whitehorse has created two bursaries for first year students in the program. This funding marks the first time that bursaries have been allocated to students in the Social Work program.

“The financial aid office at Yukon College is committed to securing additional funding sources for our students and we are grateful to have developed this relationship with the Rotary Club of Whitehorse, and with our partner, the Yukon Foundation”, said Bente Sorensen, Financial Aid advisor.

The Rotary Club of Whitehorse made a donation to the Yukon College endowment under the Yukon Foundation. Thanks to the Yukon College matching program, the Rotary Club of Whitehorse doubled its initial donation of $10 500 to $21 000. The two $500 bursaries will be awarded annually in the Fall term, commencing in the 2011-2012 academic year.

Yukon College is cooking up its first awards ceremony for graduates of the Culinary Arts program. Partnerships with Sysco Edmonton and the Rendezvous Rotary Club of Whitehorse have resulted in awarding bursaries to two Culinary Arts graduates.

Gabriel Hajian and Shea Hierlihy will be given their bursaries on Tuesday, June 14 at an awards ceremony at Yukon College. Hajian was chosen to receive the $500 bursary from Sysco Edmonton for his dedication and high grade point average. Hajian is considering the new Food and Beverage program that will be offered at the College this fall. Hierlihy was chosen for the $750 bursary for her organizational skills and drive. She plans to continue in her field to become a Red Seal Chef.

“These students have been so dedicated to their studies that they blew us away – their work ethic was outstanding”, said Ryan Cumming, Instructor, Culinary Arts.

The Women’s and Gender Studies program has just celebrated its first male graduate. Patrick Thompson has received a one year certificate in a program that now includes courses in the study of men.

Thompson is the first male graduate in a program that recently changed its name from Women’s Studies to Women’s and Gender Studies. This name change is a result of a North American movement that is working to broaden the awareness of Women’s Studies. This movement is not new to Dr. Lynn Echevarria, coordinator and instructor, Women’s and Gender Studies, “Each year I begin my class by stating that Women’s Studies is about collaborating and building a partnership with men”.

Representatives from the Westmark Whitehorse, Gold Rush and High Country Hotels, as well as the city of Whitehorse Tourism and Yukon Tourism Education Council have worked with Yukon College to develop a new program – Food and Beverage Operations Certificate. This eight month program will commence in September 2011 and provide skilled professionals in bartending and dining room service for the territory.

Yukon College has a new training facility that’s been waiting to be used for just this purpose. The Hilltop Bistro is the College’s 45 seat dining room and the facility that will be used for training students in this new program. It will be open to the public starting October 2011, serving lunch four days a week.

Yukon College instructor, Brad Martin, has contributed a northern perspective on the history of Parks Canada in a newly published book titled, “A Century of Parks Canada: 1911–2011”. Martin’s article examines how northern parks have been shaped by local First Nations and can be used as models for parks and protected areas throughout the world.

Yukon College’s (YC) Innovators in the Schools is making science and technology more accessible to grade seven students. The annual Stay-A-Day program has added Biology and Research to the list of options for students to experience during their visit to Yukon College.

A total of 150 students will spend a day working with Yukon College staff in an experiential educational setting. “Our classes are designed to engage and expose grade seven students to the world of science and technology through hands on learning”, said Heather Dundas, coordinator, Innovators in the Schools. Grade seven classes have been registered in two of the six areas of study: Health, Carpentry, Biology, Research, GPS and Water Resources.

Yukon College (YC) has been recognized for teaching a record breaking number of students in 2010. The Lifesaving Society of BC has announced that Yukon College provided Boat Operator Accredited Training (BOAT) to the most people out of any facility in BC and Yukon combined.

Yukon College is proud to be acknowledged during the 100th year anniversary of the Lifesaving Society, for its dedication to training Yukoners. “In 2010, a total of 443 people attended the BOAT program and that is significant considering our small northern population” said Dan Anton, chair, Continuing Education and Training. The community in second place was Cranbrook, BC and they certified 85 people. “Yukon College is committed to meeting the training needs of northerners and this award illustrates we are succeeding”, said Anton.

Number 33 (Spring 2011) of The Northern Review, “Canada’s Role in the Circumpolar World”, is hot off the presses. The issue focuses on Canada’s North, the role it plays in our national identity and the position it occupies in expanding debates about Arctic management, development, sovereignty, security and protection.

The contributing authors are a diverse group of emerging Canadian Arctic scholars. They are among the winners of Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Circumpolar Affairs Graduate Fellowships established to encourage youth, our future leaders, to think deeply on Canada’s role in the circumpolar world.

These award-winning authors explore the Government of Canada’s historic and contemporary positions and policies on the Arctic and then build on the lessons learned from them. The articles, as a collection, highlight ways that Canada can draw on and leverage the nation’s northern ties into strong Arctic policies.

Yukoners can now complete program certificates with the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) without having to leave the territory. Yukon College has just signed an agreement with JIBC to deliver conflict resolution training in Yukon. In partnership with JIBC, Yukon College will now expand its delivery of conflict resolution courses ensuring that Yukoners have access to local educational opportunities.

Yukon College (YC) has entered into a partnership with the Whitehorse 2012 Arctic Winter Games (AWG). This relationship will benefit both the athletes and YC students through the many services that will be provided by Yukon College.

Yukon College will be managing a number of areas including: food services, the AWG headquarters and administration, entertainment areas for the athletes, the Poli-Clinic (doctors, physiotherapists, etc.), and a venue for the wrestling competition. “Yukon College is a valuable partner that understands the importance of an incredible youth athlete experience and the commitment required to partner with the Host Society as a key community contributor”, said Charly Kelly, VP Athlete Services, AWG.