Fresh off of celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2013, Parkland College is set to continue its success into the New Year. With four decades of adaptability and diverse educational and training options under its belt, Parkland College remains poised to serve the needs of adult learners and industry partners in East Central Saskatchewan.
For many students, January marks the start of the second term. A handful of programs, such as Tourism & Hospitality and Carpentry, are just beginning early in the New Year. All told, there are over 600 full-time students at campuses in Yorkton, Melville, Esterhazy, Fort Qu'Appelle, and Canora. Another 6,300 people are part-time and casual students.
Many of these students are drawn to Parkland College because of its diverse training options ranging from university programs to skills training to adult education upgrading. The unique learning environment and smaller class sizes at Parkland College are also enticing. Students flourish in a friendly and welcoming setting where their teachers know them by name. Instructors and counsellors are dedicated to their students and have a passion for life-long learning.
"Our staff is committed to serving students and helping them succeed," said President Dr. Fay Myers. "Ninety per cent of Parkland College graduates stay, work, and earn in Saskatchewan, and we want them to be able to thrive in a growing economy."
The hallmark of 2014 for Parkland College will be the beginning of construction of the Trades and Technology Centre in Yorkton. With $10 million in funding from the Government of Saskatchewan, $5 million from dozens of community and industry donors, and a generous land donation from the City of Yorkton, this project is ready to proceed. Ground will be broken in the coming months. The facility will be complete in time for classes beginning in the fall of 2015. This expansion will allow Parkland College to deliver more high-demand programs including power engineering, mechanics, welding, and construction trades. This new capacity will help produce an additional 350 full-time graduates per year while upgrading the skills of 2,000 workers annually.
"We are working with so many wonderful partners to make this project a reality," Myers said. "We look forward to seeing it develop in front of our eyes this year and addressing the training, advanced skills and education needs of the region and province for years to come."
