Did you know?  

• Georgian started offering courses in Collingwood in 1984 through the Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts at the Old Coach Stop building on Hurontario Street. That summer, a technical upgrading program was created for displaced workers after the shipyards closed. The program was held in community meeting rooms in the Collingwood Town Hall.
• In May of 1985, Georgian moved into leased facilities at 209 Hurontario Street. The campus started with two classrooms and added several more during its three years in the strip mall.
• In 1988, the campus was moved into larger leased facilities at 101 Pretty River Parkway. This was followed by a move into a 17,000-square-foot facility at 49 Huron St. in 1994 and a downsizing to a 5,400-square-foot location at the same address in 2002.
• Space was rented in the Wasaga Beach library in 2007. After being given short notice by a landlord in 2007, the campus moved into leased space at 44 Hurontario St. (the former federal building) and multiple other sites.
• Georgian was able to lease additional space in Wasaga Beach in 1988 and additional classroom space at 191 Hurontario St. in 2007.
• For the past several years, Georgian has been operating from numerous temporary locations, including a local church and nursing homes. Enrolment and programs have been limited by the capacity of rooms within the multiple rented facilities.
• With the opening of a permanent home in Collingwood, Georgian can offer a positive model for community and private partnerships. The John Di Poce South Georgian Bay Campus will have high visibility and an increased profile in the community, particularly since the Highway 26 bypass route is planned along Poplar Sideroad. For the first time, public transportation will be available to students taking any of the programs the campus offers.
• The new building will accommodate 250 full-time students and more than 3,000 part-time students annually.

“This is a very exciting time for the staff and the community,” said Lynn Hynd, Campus Services and Community Relations Manager. “We are finally moving into a permanent home that will serve the needs of the community far into the future.”

The campus at 44 Hurontario Street will be closed starting at noon on Tuesday, Aug. 2. The move will be complete by Monday, Aug. 8. During the time of the move, student inquiries will be directed to the Office of the Registrar at the Barrie Campus, 705-728-1968, ext 1511. Starting Aug. 8, the John Di Poce South Georgian Bay Campus will be open to the public and students will be able to register on-site. The telephone number of the campus will remain the same: 705-445-2961.

When the campus opens on Aug. 8, the public will also have the opportunity to pick up a copy of the Continuing Education calendar. This calendar will be full of educational and recreational courses, appealing to all ages and interests.

When classes begin on Sept. 7, Georgian will be able to provide greater access to full-time and part-time studies and expand corporate training, skills simulation, and small business services. The 20,000-square-foot building contains nine classrooms plus a student lounge. Among the classrooms will be two computer labs, one “e-lab”, one multi-function health sciences lab, and one community room/small classroom. The balance will be traditional classrooms, all equipped with full multimedia services. These are also multi-function rooms, fitted with movable walls for maximum flexibility in terms of space.

The new building will accommodate 250 full-time students and more than 3,000 part-time students annually.

Georgian Gives Back day is being planned for Sept. 17, when the public will have the opportunity to attend sample classes and tour the building. More details will be announced soon.

The John Di Poce South Georgian Bay Campus in Collingwood will be open for business in fall 2011.

Georgian President and CEO Brian Tamblyn made the announcement before an audience of municipal and community leaders.

The name honours the key donor to the project – developer John Di Poce. The name will come into effect when the college moves into the new facility this fall.

Ground was broken May 29 on the first permanent home for a Georgian College campus in the region. Since first offering part-time courses in Collingwood 26 years ago, Georgian has moved through 10 different leased locations as demand for post-secondary education in South Georgian Bay region and surrounding areas has grown.

The new 20,000-square-foot campus will strongly support the future economic growth of the area. This investment will specifically address regional labour market gaps by providing employers with a skilled workforce.

“This campus will expand access to full- and part-time academic studies, opening up new opportunities and new horizons to local students,” said Tamblyn.

The new campus is located on 10 acres of land generously donated by developer John Di Poce. It was also made possible by a $4-million contribution from the Community Adjustment Fund of the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.

Simcoe-Grey MP Helena Guergis commends Tamblyn, community leaders both past and present, volunteers and staff for their commitment to the project.

“I am honoured to have played a role in this shared commitment to the community and to public service working hard alongside our community leaders as the new regional campus of Georgian College is named. I offer a sincere thank you for the generous donation of land by John Di Poce for this project.  The John Di Poce Southern Georgian Bay Campus will bring immense benefits to the community and viable opportunities for our children for years to come,” said Guergis.

The new campus will be a custom-made home, allowing the college to offer a wide range of educational opportunities for area residents and businesses.

When the doors open for classes in the fall of 2011, Georgian will be able to provide greater access to full-time and part-time studies and expand corporate training, skills simulation and small business services.

The new campus will contain nine classrooms plus a student lounge. Among the classrooms will be two computer labs, one “e-lab,” one multi-function health sciences lab and one community room/small classroom. The balance will be traditional classrooms, all equipped with full multimedia services. These are also multi-function rooms, fitted with movable walls for maximum flexibility in terms of space.

The new building will accommodate 250 full-time students and more than 3,000 part-time students annually.

The new 20,000-square-foot campus at the corner of Poplar Sideroad and Raglan Street is intended to strongly support the future economic growth of Collingwood and region.

This investment will specifically address regional labour market gaps by providing employers with a skilled workforce.

“This is a seminal day for Georgian College. After 26 years, we have finally found our permanent home in Collingwood,” said Georgian President and CEO Brian Tamblyn. “This campus will expand access to full and part-time academic studies, opening up new opportunities and new horizons to local students.”

The new Collingwood Campus is located on 10 acres of land generously donated by developer John Di Poce. It is also made possible by a $4-million contribution from the Community Adjustment Fund of the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.

Since first offering part-time courses in Collingwood 26 years ago, Georgian has moved through 10 different leased locations as demand for post-secondary education has grown.

The new campus will be a custom-made home, allowing the College to offer a wide range of educational opportunities for area residents and businesses.

NEW CAMPUS OPENS FALL 2011

When the doors open for classes in the fall of 2011, Georgian will be able to provide greater access to full-time and part-time studies and expand corporate training, skills simulation, and small business services.

The new campus will contain nine classrooms plus a student lounge.

Among the classrooms will be two computer labs, one “e-lab”, one multi-function health sciences lab, and one community room/small classroom.

The balance will be traditional classrooms, all equipped with full multimedia services. These are also multi-function rooms, fitted with movable walls for maximum flexibility in terms of space.

Administrative offices and “innovation space” for small business incubation activities are also included.

The new building will accommodate 250 full-time students and more than 3,000 part-time students annually.

PHOTO (l-r): Barb Weider, former member, Board of Governors; Tony Miele, Di Poce Management Limited; Chris Carrier, Mayor, Town of Collingwood; The Honourable Helena Guergis, Member of Parliament, Simcoe-Grey; and Brian Tamblyn, President and CEO, Georgian College.

The Hon. Helena Guergis, MP for Simcoe-Grey MP, made the announcement on April 8. Georgian will announce additional details of the plans for a new campus in coming week.

“I have worked long and hard to achieve this $4 million funding announcement for a new Collingwood Georgian College Campus, a campus that will bring immense benefits to my constituents,” said Guergis. “I thank Brian Tamblyn, President and CEO of Georgian College for the incredible learning experiences Georgian College provides and will continue to provide.”

“We are very appreciative of this financial contribution from the federal government. I would especially like to thank Helena Guergis, Christopher J. Carrier, Mayor, Town of Collingwood, Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for Science and Technology, and MPs throughout the Georgian Bay region for being such strong supporters of Georgian College. All of their work has been critical in ensuring that our new Collingwood Campus becomes a reality,” said Brian Tamblyn, President and CEO of Georgian College.

“This investment in a new, permanent home for Georgian College serving Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Clearview Township, Meaford and Town of the Blue Mountains, will go far in helping to address short and long-term economic needs of the entire area. A new consolidated campus will allow Georgian to continue to expand its enrolment by as much as 20 per cent annually. We look forward to announcing the location of Georgian College’s new Collingwood Campus later this month.”

Collingwood Mayor Chris Carrier expressed similar thoughts.

“This funding announcement is the most exciting announcement of this Council’s term. Collingwood Council endorsed the establishment of a permanent post-secondary institution as a critical priority for our term. This funding of $4 million along with the strength of partnerships with President Brian Tamblyn of Georgian College,  John DiPoce of DiPoce Management, the Hon. Helena Guergis and the Town of Collingwood will mean a permanent site will be underway very soon,” Carrier said.

“As Mayor of Collingwood I would like to thank our MP Helena Guergis and her staff for their assistance in obtaining this grant for Georgian College through the Community Adjustment Fund. Today and Tomorrow’s workforce will be able to receive the ongoing skills closer to home and closer to work thanks to the efforts of all involved. Thank you!”

This project will be funded through the Community Adjustment Fund, a two-year, $1-billion national program aimed at addressing the short-term economic needs of communities hit hardest by the global economic recession. The approved project must meet the terms and conditions set out in the contribution agreement.

FedDev Ontario was created as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan to support economic and community development, innovation, and economic diversification, with contributions to communities, businesses and non-profit organizations in southern Ontario.

To learn more about FedDev Ontario and the Community Adjustment Fund, visit the web site at www.feddevontario.gc.ca. For additional information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

This one-year Ontario College Certificate in Bookkeeping qualifies for Second Career Strategy, an Ontario government program which helps laid off workers make the transition to new careers in growing areas of the economy and provides funding for tuition and books for eligible candidates.

Bookkeeping is a highly sought-after skill, says Lynn Hynd, Manager, Collingwood Campus.

“The Bookkeeping certificate lends itself to career advancement in various accounting roles in business and industry, both in profit and non-profit organizations,” Hynd said.

“Bookkeeping also enhances small business and self-employment opportunities.”

The one-year Ontario college certificate provides students with the skills to perform effectively in entry-level payroll, accounts receivable and accounts payable positions. Students learn the day-to-day operations of bookkeeping and finances in a computerized business environment.

Job prospects after graduation are considered high. More than 90 per cent of Georgian College graduates find employment within six months of graduating, and 94 per cent of employers are satisfied or highly satisfied with these new employees.

The Bookkeeping program is being offered in response to demand for skilled employees in the Collingwood and central Ontario region, says Sebrina Westbrooke, program supervisor at the Collingwood Campus.

“We meet regularly with community partners, employment counsellors, and local employers to find out where workers are most needed, and our sources tell us that Bookkeeping is in high demand,” Westbrooke says.

“The program is designed to help students gain the skills they need to be workplace ready.”

Courses may include, but are not limited to, financial accounting principles, computerized accounting, cost accounting, payroll compliance and fundamentals, microcomputer applications, taxation and mathematics of finance.

Other programs offered at the Collingwood Campus include:

• Gas Technician
• Personal Support Worker
• Office Administration

Applicants to these programs may qualify for Second Career Strategy funding.

For more information on the Bookkeeping program, contact Sebrina Westbrooke, program supervisor, at (705) 445-2961, e-mail swestbrooke@georgianc.on.ca or click here.

For Second Career Strategy, contact Lisa Wiley, Collingwood Campus, at (705) 445-2961 or e-mail lwiley@georgianc.on.ca.

Students in the Office Administration, Personal Support Worker and Academic Upgrading programs attended a live musical production of West Side Story in Stratford at the beginning of April to learn more about musical theatre.

An open house was held on April 23 to celebrate the Collingwood Campus’ new Wasaga Beach location. The public was invited to meet with staff and faculty members and learn about current and planned courses and programs at the new site. Wasaga Beach mayor Cal Patterson and several members of town council assisted in the official opening and ribbon cutting.

The Campus also sponsored a Passports to Restaurant Careers fair, which was held in the Town of the Blue Mountains. The local Chamber of Commerce and the Apprenticeship Board also sponsored the event. Participants learned about opportunities in the hospitality and tourism industry as well as training options available to them locally.

Later that month, the Campus joined forces with local employment and training providers to sponsor Surviving and Thriving in Today’s Economy, a conference which addressed current and future employment and training opportunities.

The event featured speakers from local, provincial and federal levels of government speaking on local industry trends, labour market information, apprenticeship programs and Second Career Strategy options. Health and wellness and financial management during job transitions were also discussed. College representatives spoke about local training and support for individuals wishing to upgrade their skills as well as access to post-secondary education.

Thanks to the efforts of students, staff and faculty members at the Collingwood and Wasaga Beach campuses, each of these events was a great success!

Pictured: Lisa Wiley, an Academic Coach at Georgian’s Collingwood Campus, speaks to a prospective student at Passports to Restaurant Careers, a career fair co-sponsored by the College. The Campus also participated in Surviving and Thriving in Today’s Economy, a symposium which addressed current and future employment and training opportunities in the Collingwood area.

It was a special day for staff and family to help celebrate the graduates’ accomplishments, hard work and the sacrifices they’ve made over the past few years. Congratulations to all!

Earlier this year, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care announced it is providing $23.3 million to support the creation of 873 personal support worker positions in long-term care homes. This is the first round of funding to add 2,500 new personal support worker positions and 2,000 more nurses in long-term care homes over the next four years.

Georgian College has a long history of providing quality education to students wanting to become personal support workers. In fact, local employers express a strong preference for Georgian graduates, as indicated by the 100 per cent employment rate.

In response to community demand, Georgian offers the one-year (two-semester) program full- and part-time at a variety of campuses to make attending class convenient for a wide range of students.

“The new Ontario government funding is creating high demand for even more qualified personal support workers in our local long-term care homes, and Georgian is committed to helping students get the best training possible,” said Lynn Hynd, Manager of the Collingwood Campus.

“Our strong relationship with area employers and their high regard for our graduates has created our 100 per cent placement rate.”

The benefits of Georgian’s program are many. All classes are taught by qualified professionals – Registered Nurses – and graduates earn an Ontario College Certificate.

The teachers are also experienced in working with mature students, many of whom return to school in their thirties and forties to face different challenges than students entering college programs directly from secondary school.

In fact, Georgian is also ready to help potential students who don’t have all their high school credits. Staff at each campus are happy to discuss free Academic Upgrading programs that are available to applicants who need additional credits before gaining admission to the PSW program.

Graduates have many options once they’ve completed the PSW program. Georgian also offers Practical Nursing and Developmental Service Worker programs, each of which leads to a Georgian College diploma.

For more information contact Lynn Hynd, Campus Manager, Collingwood Campus at (705) 445-2961 or Bonnie DeWitt, Campus Manager, Muskoka Campus at (705) 646-7629.