Parkland College has awarded $48,200 to 50 students from across the region in this year’s Internal Scholarships. Combined with Entrance Scholarships handed out in the fall, Parkland College awarded more than $77,000 in the 2020-21 academic year.

These awards are made possible through the generosity of local businesses, organizations, community members, College staff, and sponsors and participants in the Dollars for Scholars Golf Classic.

Eligible post-secondary awards are partially matched by funds from the Ministry of Advanced Education’s Saskatchewan Innovation and Opportunity Scholarship program. Funds are provided to supplement the contributions of local non-government donors.

Students interested in learning more about the scholarships available at Parkland College are encouraged to visit scholarships.parklandcollege.sk.ca. Entrance Scholarships for students beginning Parkland College programs this fall will be awarded in September 2021. Applications for those awards are being accepted until May 15 at http://bit.ly/2021Entrance.

About Parkland College:
Parkland College provides scholarships to students pursuing post-secondary education locally. Contributions to the Scholarship Initiative help Parkland College maintain the ability to contribute to the education and training of residents in the Parkland area. The initiative positively impacts the lives of individuals and families, as well as communities and businesses within the Parkland region.

For more information contact:
Brendan Wagner
Coordinator, Corporate & Internal Engagement
Parkland College
Phone: 306.728.6595

Water and wastewater operators play an integral role in the maintenance of a clean water supply supporting the health and wellbeing of our communities. Parkland College and ATAP Infrastructure Management Ltd. are joining forces to ensure communities have access to the training they need to keep their water supplies safe and secure.

Parkland and ATAP have signed a partnership agreement to provide training in Class 1 Water and Wastewater Operator courses in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The courses will be delivered through a blended model which provides flexibility in scheduling and location of training. Courses can be offered in person, remotely, or a combination of the two.

“This agreement is a great opportunity for the College and the communities we serve,” said Dr. Mark Hoddenbagh, President and CEO of Parkland College. “Blended Learning will make it easier for communities and municipalities to access this important training and benefit from ATAP’s expertise.”

ATAP brings to the partnership extensive engineering knowledge, an established curriculum, and expert instructors. The College provides a learning management system, instructional design experience, and IT support. Both organizations also have connections to partners throughout Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

“Over the past 20 years, ATAP has instructed certification courses and CEU workshops to thousands of operators across the Prairies,” said ATAP Manager Andrew Stevenson. “Our experience, from performing the same hands-on services onsite daily that we teach about, allows our instructors to transfer that real-life knowledge back to the students. We are excited to be partnering with a premier organization in Parkland College.”

The training is expected to launch in the fall of 2021. It will be made up of preparatory courses in water treatment, water distribution, wastewater treatment, and wastewater collection.

There is high demand for this type of training. Many towns, First Nation communities, and municipalities have identified needs in the area of water stewardship. Organizations interested in this training are invited to submit requests in advance.

About Parkland College:
Parkland College provides high quality, learner centred education and training as a foundation for lifelong success. The College offers a superior learning and campus experience for all students through quality programming and services. Students can get started on their careers by completing university classes, full degrees, and skills training and trades certificates. Parkland College also delivers high school upgrading, safety training, and corporate/professional development.

About ATAP Infrastructure Management Ltd.:
ATAP assists municipalities, Indigenous communities, and industry to operate and maintain their water, wastewater, and infrastructure through training, troubleshooting, and hands-on field services.

For more information contact:
Brendan Wagner
Coordinator, Corporate & Internal Engagement
Parkland College
Phone: 306.728.6595

Paul Pinder, P.Eng.
Vice President & General Manager
ATAP
Phone: 306.653.4969

Parkland College announced Monday the launch of Introduction to Farm Hand, a new program developed to meet the labour needs of growing farm operations.

Introduction to Farm Hand is a short course that provides the basic skills and hands-on training needed to work on a grain farm in Saskatchewan. The first course module, beginning April 17, focuses on seeding and the busy spring season.

“This program is designed to meet the need for more skilled labour on Saskatchewan’s farms,” said Connie Brown, Manager of Business Development at Parkland College. “Farmers can send current or potential employees through the program to develop their skills. And it gives general labourers without a farm background the opportunity to gain the experience needed to work in agriculture.”

Participants will receive a blend of classroom instruction and hands-on experience over three Saturdays: April 17, April 24, and May 1. The Town of Lemberg is partnering with the College to host the training, at the town office and at a nearby farm.

The course provides an overview of field crops, Power Mobile Equipment theory, and hands-on training with selected pieces of farm equipment. Participants will also learn about basic farm safety and moving equipment safely around work sites.

Interested individuals can register or get more information by calling 306.786.2760.

About Parkland College:
Parkland College provides high quality, learner centred education and training as a foundation for lifelong success. The College offers a superior learning and campus experience for all students through quality programming and services. Students can get started on their careers by completing university classes, full degrees, and skills training and trades certificates. Parkland College also delivers high school upgrading, safety training, and corporate/professional development.

For more information contact:
Brendan Wagner
Coordinator, Corporate & Internal Engagement
Parkland College
Phone: 306.728.6595

The Parkland College-Cumberland College Coalition officially launched its new five-year Strategic Plan today in an online event.

The 2020-2025 Strategic Plan is titled Stronger Together (PDF, 326 KB). The planning process began more than a year ago with public consultations in 16 communities across east-central and northeast Saskatchewan. It also incorporated feedback from learners, staff, employers, and the colleges’ Boards of Governors.

The plan defines a purpose for the Coalition of providing education and training to address regional labour market needs, preparing learners for employment and further education, and supporting the sustainable social, environmental, and economic development of employers and communities. It introduces a shared vision and mission, as well as seven key values. Four strategic pillars stand on this foundation, accompanied by a set of goals and objectives to guide the Coalition’s efforts and measure its success.

“This launch is a celebration of our two regional colleges and their collaboration to create a visionary plan that sets the direction for the Coalition,” said President & CEO Dr. Mark Hoddenbagh. “It is bold, innovative, and will help us increase our positive impact in our communities.”

The plan introduces the concept of the “E-Shaped Learner.” While the colleges excel at developing technical skills, this model supplements them with entrepreneurial, electronic literacy, and employability skills.

Saskatchewan’s Advanced Education Minister Gene Makowsky and Colleges and Institutes of Canada (CICan) President & CEO Denise Amyot provided messages of support during the launch.

“I think the title of the plan, Stronger Together, is more relevant today than likely ever before,” Makowsky said. “The Coalition’s contributions are making positive and sustainable impacts and enriching the lives of students and local communities.”

“Your strategic plan is not just a matter of delivering credentials,” Amyot noted, “but it is a holistic, ongoing approach that involves learners, faculty, employers, Indigenous peoples, and a host of community and government partners.”

With the recent two-year extension of the initial two-year pilot, the Coalition is well positioned to implement the initiatives outlined in the plan, focusing on positive outcomes for the colleges’ students, regions, and employers. The full Strategic Plan may be accessed at the About Us section of our website.

About Parkland College:
Parkland College provides high quality, learner-centred education and training as a foundation for lifelong success. The college offers a superior learning and campus experience with locations in Yorkton, Melville, Fort Qu’Appelle, Esterhazy, Canora, and Kamsack.

About Cumberland College:
Since 1975, Cumberland College has been providing high quality training and education programs for adults in northeastern Saskatchewan. Campuses are located in Nipawin, Melfort, and Tisdale.