Parkland College and the East Central Research Foundation (ECRF) have cancelled their annual Research Farm Field Day for 2020 due to COVID-19.

Public gatherings in Saskatchewan are currently limited to 30 people, and physical distancing guidelines remain in effect. The field tours, held annually in July at the research farm just south of Yorkton, typically attract close to 100 farmers, agriculture professionals, and industry representatives.

In lieu of an in-person event, researchers are planning to record a virtual tour of this year’s research projects. The video will be shared online and posted at www.ecrf.ca, likely around the middle of July.

This season, researchers are conducting a number of trials and demonstration projects on land supplied by the City of Yorkton. Some of these projects are supported by the provincial government Agriculture Demonstration of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) program, with others sponsored by businesses in the agriculture industry.

Last month, Parkland College was awarded a $200,000 research grant by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). The grant is being used to hire students for work integrated learning opportunities at the research farm, while also funding the purchase of new equipment.

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

Parkland College and Cumberland College intend to deliver classes this fall through blended learning. The colleges are coordinating with post-secondary institutions across Saskatchewan on this hybrid approach to education.

This Blended Learning model provides the programming flexibility needed to manage the risks of the COVID-19 pandemic while ensuring the continued health and safety of students, faculty, and staff. This concept follows the guidance of the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan, which advanced to Phase 3 on June 8.

“Our current plan is to offer a blend of online, face-to-face, and alternative programming,” said President & CEO Dr. Mark Hoddenbagh. How class time is divided for any program or course will be determined by a number of factors, he said, including the necessity of face-to-face (hands-on labs and shop time), the needs of students (e.g. no Internet access off-campus), availability of space, and any restrictions imposed by the government.

The post-secondary sector’s planning for the fall is well underway, including contingency plans for a resurgence of the virus, where in-class learning cannot resume as planned, either regionally or provincially. The colleges will continue to adhere to public health guidelines as delivered by the Government of Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Officer.

“Our shared priority, at all levels of the education system, is the health and safety of students and staff,” Hoddenbagh added. “We are prepared to adjust our plan and timelines at any point as the pandemic evolves.”

Students are encouraged to monitor the colleges’ websites for additional details about their specific program and classes. Details will be communicated to students as 2020-2021 programming decisions are finalized.

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

First-year students enrolled in eligible health care programs at Parkland College are invited to apply for a CIBC Future Heroes Bursary valued at $2,500. CIBC has created the bursary program in tribute to the people who are bravely fighting COVID-19, and as a way of supporting the next generation in their ambition of having a career in health care.

CIBC has committed $500,000 towards the Future Heroes Fund over the next two years. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 150 bursaries will be available to students entering their first year of study in an eligible health care program at 50 select Canadian registered colleges or universities.

Parkland College and Cumberland College students are eligible to apply if they are entering the Continuing Care Assistant, Practical Nursing, or Primary Care Paramedic programs, as well as university studies with plans to go into Nursing or Medicine. Two students from each institution will receive bursaries in 2020-21.

“I’d like to thank the CIBC Future Heroes Bursary fund for providing this opportunity for our students,” said Dr. Mark Hoddenbagh, President & CEO. “These bursaries clearly show the importance of fostering the next generation of health care workers.”

Applications are being accepted until July 15. Universities Canada will conduct the selection and administration of the bursaries. Chosen candidates can expect to receive their funds starting in September.

To learn more and apply, click here.

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.

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

Parkland College has been awarded a $200,000 research grant by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). The Innovation Enhancement grant is designated for improvements at the research farm just south of Yorkton, which the College operates in partnership with the East Central Research Foundation (ECRF).

NSERC announced funding last week for 128 new applied research projects at colleges, CÉGEPs, and polytechnics across Canada. The projects focus on priority areas such as agriculture, clean energy, and artificial intelligence.

Parkland College and ECRF will use the NSERC funding primarily to hire students for work integrated learning opportunities at the research farm. The students will assist researchers in their work during the growing season. The funding will be also be used to purchase farm equipment and video equipment used to share the results of research projects.

This season, researchers are conducting a number of trials and demonstration projects on land supplied by the City of Yorkton. Some of these projects are supported by the provincial government Agriculture Demonstration of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) program, with others sponsored by businesses in the agriculture industry.

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

Wednesday, May 27 was supposed to be graduation day at Parkland College. Since we can’t get together to celebrate due to COVID-19, we asked our staff to share a message with our grads.

Due to uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Parkland College’s 2020 Graduation Ceremony is postponed until further notice. A makeup date will be announced when it is safe to do so.

Graduation photo sessions scheduled for March 23-24 in Yorkton and March 30 in Kamsack, Melville & Fort Qu’Appelle are also postponed.

Information will be updated on the Graduation page as it becomes available.

The Parkland College Graduation Committee thanks you for your understanding and apologizes for any inconvenience.

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

Parkland College and Cumberland College are beginning public consultations that will result in the creation of a strategic plan for the next five years.

The two colleges formed a pilot Coalition in the fall of 2018 to focus on improving operational efficiencies and organizational effectiveness. The colleges are working closely in a number of areas to better utilize resources and improve outcomes. One key deliverable is the creation of a Coalition Strategic Plan which involves robust consultations with internal and external stakeholders.

Community Engagement Sessions have been scheduled over the next five weeks in 16 communities across east-central and northeast Saskatchewan. Business representatives, community leaders, and members of the general public are encouraged to participate.

Nine of these sessions are scheduled in Parkland College’s region:

Click here for full details and registration information. If you have questions about these sessions, please email l.ritchie-mcinnes@parklandcollege.sk.ca.

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.

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

A new project at Ocean Man First Nation will teach valuable hands-on skills to several students while building a tiny house for the community.

The Tiny House Project was officially launched Monday. It is the second Essential Skills project of its kind, delivered in partnership by Parkland College, Yorkton Tribal Council, Ocean Man First Nation, and the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission.

Program participants and sponsors gathered Feb. 3 at Ocean Man First Nation to launch the project.

Over the next five months, several students will have the opportunity to learn construction skills as well as life and employability skills. By the end of June, the students will build an environmentally responsible tiny house from the ground up.

Some of the building materials, tools, and appliances will be donated. The finished home will be awarded to a family within the community.

“Parkland College is pleased to be working with such committed and generous partners in providing robust training and experiential learning opportunities for our Indigenous youth,” said Dr. Mark Hoddenbagh, Parkland College President & CEO. “That this project will provide a wonderful home for community members is an added bonus.”

The Tiny House project is also supported by Indigenous Services Canada.

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.

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

Parkland College has invited Social School, Canada’s premier marketing academy, to Yorkton for a special one-day event.

The Calgary-based digital marketing firm will deliver the Social School Workshop on Thursday, February 6 at the Trades and Technology Centre in Yorkton. The event includes how-to talks and hands-on exercises designed to provide businesses with the most timely social media and digital marketing tactics, insights, and ideas. Topics will include Social & Digital Strategy, Paid Advertising, Mobile Photography & Video, Email Marketing, and more.

This year, Social School is hosting conferences in some major Canadian cities, including Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Ottawa. By bringing Social School to Yorkton for this one-day event, Parkland College is offering local companies the opportunity to grow their business without the burden of travel costs and time away from the office.

To register for the Social School Workshop at the Trades & Technology Centre in Yorkton, call 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.

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

About 2,000 high school students and visitors from the Parkland region attended Career
Explorations 2019 at the Gallagher Centre in Yorkton on Thursday. The 10th annual
education and career fair attracted close to 80 exhibitors from across Saskatchewan,
Western Canada, and North Dakota.

Career Explorations is the largest education and job fair in East Central Saskatchewan. It is organized by Parkland College, in association with Good Spirit School Division and
Christ the Teacher Catholic Schools.

The goal of the career fair is to provide students with many of the options available to them once they finish high school. Career Explorations puts all these options under one roof.

Students and visitors were able to access information from dozens of educational
institutions and companies from numerous sectors of the economy, including agriculture, health, mining, technology, public safety, and government.

Career Explorations was created from a Learning Alliance signed in 2008 between Good Spirit School Division and Parkland College. Christ the Teacher Catholic Schools has expanded its role since joining the organizing committee in 2012.

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Contact information:
Brendan Wagner
Coordinator of Corporate & Internal Engagement
Parkland College
Phone: 306.728.6595

Parkland College awarded 20 Entrance Scholarships with a combined value of approximately $40,500 at a presentation event Tuesday in Yorkton. All students receiving Entrance Scholarships this fall are taking university, skills training, or trades programs at Parkland College.
 

These scholarships are made possible through the generosity of local businesses, community organizations, Parkland College staff, and the Ministry of Advanced Education’s Saskatchewan Innovation & Opportunity Scholarship (SIOS) program. SIOS is a matching program in which funds are provided to supplement local non-government donors.

Students interested in learning more about scholarship opportunities at Parkland College are encouraged to visit scholarships.parklandcollege.sk.ca. Internal Scholarships for students already enrolled in Parkland College programs will be awarded in March 2020. Applications for those awards will be available to students beginning in December.

About Us:
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. This is the 22nd year that Parkland College has offered scholarships to its students.

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For more information contact:
Brendan Wagner
Scholarship Committee Chairperson
Parkland College
Phone: 306.728.6595

Parkland College will receive over $158,000 from the Ministry of Immigration and Career Training to deliver a new program in Yorkton that will help students prepare for a career in the tourism and hospitality industries.

The Enhanced Career Bridging Program aims to connect unemployed individuals to the labour force and obtain employment. This project will provide career training for 16 participants, covering key areas including job readiness, fundamental workplace skills, and credit towards a designated trade with Saskatchewan Tourism Education Council (STEC).

Parkland College will work closely with Yorkton Tribal Council on the program, which will be delivered at the Trades & Technology Centre, beginning Aug. 19. It consists of 12 weeks of in-class training, followed by a six-week work placement. Participants will acquire numerous qualifications, including Food and Beverage Server Certification, Bartender Certification, Safe Food Handling, and First Aid/CPR.

“This is a great opportunity for unemployed individuals to learn life and work skills that will help them build confidence, gain experience, and prepare them for employment,” said Mark Hoddenbagh, President and CEO of Parkland College and Cumberland College.

The College is grateful for additional funding from the Ministry, and the support and engagement of local industry employers for work placements and career opportunities.

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.

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

Parkland College and East Central Research Foundation (ECRF) welcomed about 80 farmers, agriculture professionals, and industry representatives to their seventh annual research farm field day Tuesday near Yorkton. The event highlights the agriculture applied research partnership between the College and ECRF, which officially began in 2013.

This summer there are numerous projects underway at the joint research farm 1 km south of Yorkton on York Lake Road. There is also a secondary site just southeast of the city. Researchers are conducting a variety of trials on numerous crops, including wheat, oats, barley, canola, and peas.

Parkland College and ECRF have a long-term plan to carry out agriculture research activities in the Yorkton area. The partnership enabled Parkland College to become the first regional college in Saskatchewan to undertake an applied research program to serve regional economic development. The College also uses the field research site to provide hands-on training and summer employment to students enrolled in agriculture programs.

The data collected on site throughout the growing season will be shared with the research community, agricultural industry, and local producers. More information on these and other projects is available at www.ecrf.ca.

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 East Central Research Foundation:
Established in 1996, the East Central Research Foundation (ECRF) is a non-profit organization whose mandate is to conduct crop production research and extension activities for the agricultural industry of east central Saskatchewan. It is directed by a board of local producers and advised by provincial specialists.

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Parkland College officially introduced President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mark Hoddenbagh to local media Friday in Yorkton.

Hoddenbagh was recently appointed President/CEO by the coalition of Parkland College and Cumberland College, effective July 1. He has a wide range of experience in numerous fields connected to post-secondary education, including strategic planning, applied research, indigenous strategy, and business development.

His first day on the job was July 2 at Parkland College’s Main Campus in Yorkton. He also visited the Trades & Technology Centre and the Melville and Esterhazy campuses. He then made his first visit to Cumberland College July 8-9 and met with staff in Melfort, Nipawin, and Tisdale. Hoddenbagh is eager to get to know the people around the colleges and partners in the communities they serve.

“I’m a big believer in colleges,” Hoddenbagh said. “I find that they’re led by incredible people who have great skills. These skills go beyond academic skills and knowledge to include the life, work, and people skills that I think are very important and used in the workplace every day.

“I’m very passionate about combining technical education with work skills training and having graduates who are job ready from day one.”

The Cumberland College-Parkland College coalition will be a pilot project for up to two years. The colleges continue to operate separately, but now share one region, a single CEO, and a governance structure in which the same individuals are simultaneously appointed to the boards of both colleges.

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.

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The coalition of Parkland College and Cumberland College today announced the appointment of Mark Hoddenbagh as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2019.

“We are excited to welcome Mark to Cumberland College and Parkland College,” said Board of Governors co-chair Raymond Sass. “He brings a wealth of experience and leadership which will guide our colleges in this new coalition.”

Hoddenbagh has a wide range of experience in numerous fields connected to post-secondary education, including strategic planning, applied research, indigenous strategy, and business development. In his new role, Hoddenbagh will be responsible for setting the colleges’ strategic direction and representing their mission, vision, and values. He will work to expand partnerships with business, industry, and communities.

“I am passionate about post-secondary education and a huge supporter of colleges and all they have to offer,” Hoddenbagh said. “I am very excited to have the privilege of leading the coalition.”

The two colleges are embarking on a pilot coalition for up to two years. The colleges continue to operate separately, but now share one region, a single CEO, and a governance structure in which the same individuals are simultaneously appointed to the boards of Cumberland College and Parkland College.

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.

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The 14th annual Dollars for Scholars Golf Classic, held Thursday at Deer Park Golf Course in Yorkton, raised an estimated $15,100 for the Parkland College scholarship fund.

Eighty-six golfers made the best of the day on the course despite persistent rain showers. Participants supported the fundraiser with their registration fees, contest entries, and raffle ticket purchases.

The Dollars for Scholars Golf Classic is the College’s largest scholarship fundraiser. Parkland College has now raised over $255,000 since the first tournament in 2006.

“This is a very important part of our scholarship program,” said Dollars for Scholars chairperson Brendan Wagner. “The community gives us so much support, and it’s that generosity that helps more local students get their post-secondary education close to home.”

The Dollars for Scholars Golf Classic receives support from numerous sources. Banquet sponsor RH Electric and Platinum sponsors Farrell Agencies, SaskTel, and RBC Foundation played key roles in the success of the tournament. The College also thanks the dozens of other sponsors for their financial support and prize donations.

The 15th annual Dollars for Scholars Golf Classic is tentatively planned for Friday, June 19, 2020.

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.

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

A 350-square-foot tiny home was unveiled Wednesday to dozens of supporters and community members at Cote First Nation, near Kamsack. It marked the completion of the Tiny House Project, an Essential Skills partnership between Parkland College, Yorkton Tribal Council, and Cote First Nation.

The Tiny House Project was launched at the end of January. Eight students gained hands-on construction skills as well as life and employability skills as they built the house from the ground up. The finished home was given away in a lottery draw to community member Gloria Pelly.

The tiny house features one bedroom, an open-concept living area and kitchen, full bathroom, and attached deck. Many of the building materials, tools, and appliances were donated by businesses in the area. Home Hardware in Yorkton outfitted the students with tools and safety gear, while solar panels from Living Skies Solar were installed on the roof to reduce the carbon footprint of the house.

The Tiny House project was supported by the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) and Indigenous Services Canada. SATCC announced at the wrap-up celebration that another Yorkton Tribal Council tiny house project has been approved for 2020.

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.

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

Parkland College held its annual graduation ceremony Wednesday at the Yorkton Regional High School’s Anne Portnuff Theatre. Family, friends, staff, and the College’s partners in education congratulated and celebrated 367 students who successfully completed one of more than 20 programs offered at the College in 2018-19.

Interim CEO Kami DePape presents a certificate to Bachelor of Indigenous Education graduate Ryan Brass

The graduates represent 53 Saskatchewan communities and seven Manitoba communities. Yorkton led the way with 111 grads, followed by Kamsack with 31, Fort Qu’Appelle with 19, Melville with 17, and Regina with 14. The graduating class also included 76 international students from India, the Philippines, Greece, Bangladesh, and Mauritius.

SIGN counsellor and Parkland College alumna Corrine McArthur delivered remarks as guest speaker

This year, Parkland College offered university degrees, skills training diplomas and certificates, and Adult Basic Education classes. Graduates from post-secondary programs received accreditation from the University of Saskatchewan, First Nations University of Canada, Lakeland College Emergency Training Centre, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies, Conestoga College, and Parkland College.

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.

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

Parkland College has been selected for a national award recognizing its achievements in indigenous education.

Parkland College won the Silver Award for Indigenous Education Excellence at the Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) annual conference this week. NorQuest College (Edmonton) was chosen for the gold, while Algonquin College (Ottawa) took the bronze.

Parkland College serves over 6,000 students in rural Saskatchewan with 43 per cent identifying as Indigenous. The College works with 11 First Nations communities and two tribal councils in the Parkland region.

“Our commitment to these students and communities is embodied in our strategic plan, shaped as a medicine wheel with indigenization embedded in every priority,” said Interim CEO Kami DePape. “The College’s governance structure, partnerships, student supports, curriculum, and learning environments focus on providing training success and labour market engagement for our Indigenous learners and communities.”

The CICan Awards of Excellence recognize best practices at institutions across the country. There are eight categories for excellence in leadership, indigenous education, internationalization, applied research, and general program achievements.

“Colleges and institutes are so successful thanks to passionate staff, teachers, researchers and administrators who work tirelessly to provide students with the skills and experience they need to succeed”, said Denise Amyot, President and CEO of CICan. “Every year, the CICan Awards of Excellence recognize these dedicated people who go above and beyond to make Canada’s post-secondary education the best in the world.”

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.

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

The Government of Saskatchewan has appointed six individuals to serve on a new Board of Governors for Parkland College and Cumberland College.

In October, it was announced that the two colleges would embark on a pilot coalition for up to two years. Both colleges will remain separate, but they will share one region, a single Chief Executive Officer, and a governance structure in which the same individuals will be simultaneously appointed to the boards of Cumberland College and Parkland College.

On May 2, the Minister of Advanced Education authorized the Parkland College and Cumberland College regions to be combined into a single region which will be served by both colleges. The government also appointed the following board members: Wendy Becenko (Kamsack), Marcel Head (Shoal Lake), Brian Hicke (Melville), Lori Kidney (Tisdale), Raymond Sass (Yorkton), and Corinna Stevenson (Melfort). Sass and Stevenson have been named co-chairs.

Back row (L to R): Brian Hicke (Melville), Raymond Sass (Yorkton), Marcel Head (Shoal Lake); Front row (L to R): Wendy Becenko (Kamsack), Corrina Stevenson (Melfort), Lori Kidney (Tisdale)

A joint steering committee is nearing the end of its search for the shared CEO position. The colleges expect to have a permanent CEO in place by June 30.

Further updates will be provided as the partnership progresses.

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.

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For more information, contact:

Ray Sass
Chair, Board of Governors
Parkland College
Email: r.sass@parklandcollege.sk.ca

Corinna Stevenson
Chair, Board of Governors
Cumberland College
Email: corinnastevenson@sasktel.net

The Parkland College Main Campus, Yorkton Regional High School, and Kid’s Zone Daycare were briefly evacuated on Wednesday afternoon. It was part of an extensive lockdown drill involving first responders and emergency crews in the City of Yorkton.

The exercise, dubbed Project Lockdown, was initiated by Yorkton RCMP. It involved months of planning and coordination with YRHS and Parkland College.

The drill began shortly after 1:00 p.m. Numerous police and peace officers were involved, as well as Yorkton Fire Protective Services and Crestvue Ambulance. The exercise extended the regular lockdown drill and included an evacuation simulation, sending students and staff to nearby Sacred Heart High School.

The drill was completed smoothly and the all-clear was given less than an hour after it began. Students and staff returned to their classrooms and work stations, and were invited to debrief and provide comments and suggestions to improve the emergency response. Counsellors were also made available to learners and employees who required support.

Parkland College extends its thanks to staff and students for their participation in this important event. The drill will assist in the development and improvement of the College’s Violent Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA) program and safety procedures. It also provided an opportunity for emergency service providers in Yorkton to work through their protocols and enhance their response in the event of a real threat.

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.

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

A pair of Parkland College students welded their way to the top spots in a provincial skills competition in Saskatoon on April 12.

Lukas Muir and Cody Wlasichuk, both of Yorkton, brought home the gold and silver medals, respectively, in the Skills Canada Saskatchewan Welding competition. The contest required competitors to demonstrate their knowledge in reading plans and interpreting welding symbols, and their mastery of the main welding processes used in today’s industry.

Lukas Muir (left) and Cody Wlasichuk showed off their medals Monday at the Trades & Technology Centre in Yorkton.

“It was a really fun time being there and coming home with two medals for Yorkton,” said Wlasichuk. “You felt the stress (of the competition). But as soon as you locked your focus in, you were ready to give ‘er.”

The students were quick to praise their instructor, Blaine Miller.

“We trained a lot and trained very hard,” Muir said. “We couldn’t have done it without Blaine. He taught us a lot and showed us everything we needed to know.”

Miller said the students’ success is a reflection of their dedication and commitment to the craft.

“We always want to be in a competition just to see how other people are training and what their welds are like,” Miller said. “But when you can place in the competition, it’s just a bonus.”

As a gold medal winner, Muir will represent Saskatchewan at the Skills Canada National Competition May 28-29 in Halifax, N.S. He will be required to complete three projects within a set time limit over the two days. He started training on Monday for the competition, which Miller calls an extremely challenging one.

“In the workforce, welders specialize in these types of welds, which include pressure welding with TIG (tungsten inert gas, also known as gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW)), SMAW (shielded metal arc welding), and GMAW (gas metal arc welding),” Miller said. “The type of material that will be used will range from mild steel to stainless steel and aluminum.”

“I’ve got a lot of work to put in,” Muir said. “But I think by the end of it, I’ll be confident and do well.”

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.

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

On Tuesday in Yorkton, Parkland College awarded $50,775 to 63 students across the region in this spring’s Internal Scholarships. Combined with Entrance Scholarships handed out in September, Parkland College awarded more than $128,000 in the 2018-19 academic year.

This is the eighth straight year in which the College has given out more than $100,000 in scholarships. In that time, the College has awarded well over $1 million in scholarships to local learners.

These awards are made possible through the generosity of local businesses, organizations, community members, College staff, and sponsors and participants in the annual 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 2019. Applications for those awards are being accepted now until May 22 at http://bit.ly/2019Entrance.

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.

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

Parkland College and Cumberland College have launched their CEO search.

The colleges formed a trial coalition in October that will result in a shared president/CEO and Board of Governors. A joint steering committee is leading the search for a CEO. After reviewing timelines at its last meeting, the committee has adjusted its target hire date from April 30 to June 30.

The job advertisement will be posted at www.parklandcollege.sk.ca and www.cumberlandcollege.sk.ca.

Both colleges remain focused on maintaining a local presence and providing high quality education in their regions.

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 Cumberland College:
Cumberland College is committed to providing the highest quality program and services to the people and communities of northeast Saskatchewan. The College offers a friendly learning atmosphere where one can focus on achieving education or employment goals. A multifaceted institution, the College offers university classes, skills training, academic upgrading, community education and professional development as well as custom designed programs for business and industry partners.

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A new project at Cote First Nation will teach valuable hands-on skills to several students while building a tiny house for one of the community’s elders.

The Tiny House Project was officially launched Monday. It is a new Essential Skills program delivered in partnership by Parkland College, Yorkton Tribal Council, and Cote First Nation. Over the next five months, several students at the Chief Gabriel Cote Education Complex will have the opportunity to learn construction skills as well as life and employability skills. By the end of June, the students will have built an environmentally responsible tiny house from the ground up.

The students who will be participating in the Tiny House Project are: (left to right) Emma Keshane, Zachary Whitehawk, Regan Kakakaway, Xavier Brass, Alexandra Cote, Darryl Turner. (Absent: Telesphore Wapash, Clayton Whitehawk)

Some of the building materials, tools, and appliances will be donated. Home Hardware in Yorkton has outfitted the students with tools and safety gear, while solar panels from Living Skies Solar will be installed to reduce the carbon footprint of the house. The finished home will be donated to an elder chosen by the community.

The Tiny House project is also supported by the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission and by Indigenous Services Canada.

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.

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

Parkland College announced today that Kami DePape will serve as interim president and CEO following the retirement of Dwayne Reeve. Reeve stepped down effective Dec. 31.

DePape has worked for the College in various leadership roles since 2003. Her current position is Vice President of Academics.

In October, Parkland College and Cumberland College formed a trial coalition that will result in the two colleges sharing a president/CEO and a single Board of Governors. A joint steering committee and Ministry of Advanced Education officials are leading the transition. A target hire date for a permanent CEO is set for April 30, 2019.

Parkland College remains focused on maintaining a local presence and providing high quality education in the Parkland region.

Further updates will be provided as the partnership progresses.

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.

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

An estimated 2,000 high school students and visitors from the Parkland region attended Career Explorations 2018 at the Gallagher Centre in Yorkton on Tuesday. The ninth annual education and career fair attracted about 80 exhibitors from across Saskatchewan, Western Canada, and North Dakota.

Career Explorations is the largest education and job fair in East Central Saskatchewan. It is organized by Parkland College, Good Spirit School Division, and Christ the Teacher Catholic Schools.

The goal of the career fair is to provide students with many of the options available to them once they finish high school. Career Explorations puts all these options under one roof. Students and visitors were able to access information from dozens of educational institutions and companies from numerous sectors of the economy, including agriculture, health, mining, public safety, and government.

Career Explorations was created from a Learning Alliance signed in 2008 between Good Spirit School Division and Parkland College. Christ the Teacher Catholic Schools has expanded its role since joining the organizing committee in 2012.

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Contact information:
Brendan Wagner
Coordinator of Corporate & Internal Engagement
Parkland College
Phone: 306.728.6595

Parkland College and Cumberland College are embarking on a partnership that will result in the two colleges sharing a president/CEO and a single Board of Governors.

“Both Parkland College and Cumberland College are without a permanent CEO at this time. The two colleges are taking a shared leadership role in developing a future path for the regional college system in in Saskatchewan,” said Corinna Stevenson, Cumberland College Board Chair.

A joint steering committee will lead the search for the shared CEO position. A target hire date has been set for April 30, 2019. The time frame seeks to bring clarity and stability to both colleges and the staff, learners, and communities who depend on them.

The recommendation for the coalition between the two colleges was made by the Task Force on Regional College Efficiency which includes Board Chairs and College CEOs from across the province. The process to seek board and government approval is now underway and remains a key factor prior to formal implementation of the new coalition.

“The priority is to maintain our local presence and provide high quality education for adults in our region,” said Raymond Sass, Board Chair of Parkland College. “In times of change, it’s essential to be open and transparent. We are committed to updating our students, staff, and the community throughout the process.”

Regular updates will be provided as the partnership progresses.

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.

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

Corinna Stevenson
Board Chairperson
Cumberland College
Phone: 306-921-7452

Lynn Verklan
Interim CEO
Cumberland College
Phone: 306-862-8751

Parkland College awarded 21 Entrance Scholarships with a combined value of approximately $84,400 at a presentation event Tuesday in Yorkton. All students receiving Entrance Scholarships this fall are taking university, skills training, or trades programs at Parkland College.

These scholarships are made possible through the generosity of local businesses and organizations, community members, Parkland College staff, and the Ministry of Advanced Education’s Saskatchewan Innovation & Opportunity Scholarship (SIOS) program. SIOS is a matching program in which funds are provided to supplement local non-government donors.

Students interested in learning more about scholarship opportunities at Parkland College are encouraged to visit the Scholarships section of this website. Internal Scholarships for students already enrolled in Parkland College programs will be awarded in March 2019. Applications for those awards will be available to students beginning in December.

About Us:
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. This is the 21st year that Parkland College has offered scholarships to its students.

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For more information contact:
Brendan Wagner
Scholarship Committee Chairperson
Parkland College
Phone: 306.728.6595

Parkland College welcomed a new group of firefighting recruits July 30 in Melville.

Twenty-one students are enrolled in the NFPA 1001 Professional Firefighting program this fall. Until the beginning of November, platoon #15 will learn the ins and outs of firefighting at the Melville fire hall and at Parkland College’s Emergency Services Training Site just east of the city.

On truck (L to R): Riley Gyorgy (Saskatoon), Cody Kirton (Regina), Colton Hagley (Regina), Jordan Bieber (Regina), Connor Wilder (Regina). On ground (L to R): Jason Mo (Regina), Alexa Scammell (Saskatoon), David Gessner (Saskatoon), Racquel Lys (Fort Qu'Appelle), Brett Boha (Yorkton), Mitchell Wilson (Cupar), Connor Holoboff (Moose Jaw), Dylan Calvert (Wynyard), Cole Morris (Regina), Jesse Berthelette (Martensville), Chase Griffin (Saskatoon), Zackery Nixey (Regina), Ryan Tarry (Regina), Grant Gessner (White City), Connor Brown (Moose Jaw), Koby Keepness (Regina).

Parkland College offers the only full-time professional firefighting training program in Saskatchewan through a partnership with Lakeland College of Vermilion, AB. For more about the College’s firefighter training program, click here.

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.

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

Parkland College and East Central Research Foundation (ECRF) welcomed about 70 farmers, agriculture professionals, and industry representatives to their sixth annual research farm field day Thursday near Yorkton. The event highlights the agriculture applied research partnership between the College and ECRF, which officially began in 2013.

This summer there are numerous projects underway at the joint research farm 1 km south of Yorkton on York Lake Road. There is also a secondary site east of the city. Researchers are conducting a variety of trials on numerous crops, including wheat, oats, barley, canola, quinoa, soybeans, and many more.

Parkland College and ECRF have a long-term plan to carry out agriculture research activities in the Yorkton area. The partnership enabled Parkland College to become the first regional college in Saskatchewan to undertake an applied research program to serve regional economic development. The College also uses the field research site to provide hands-on training to students enrolled in agriculture programs.

The data collected on site throughout the growing season will be shared with the research community, agricultural industry, and local producers. More information on these and other projects is available at www.ecrf.ca.

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 East Central Research Foundation:
Established in 1996, the East Central Research Foundation (ECRF) is a non-profit organization whose mandate is to conduct crop production research and extension activities for the agricultural industry of east central Saskatchewan. It is directed by a board of local producers and advised by provincial specialists.

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For more information contact:
Mike Hall
Research Coordinator
Parkland College/ECRF
Phone: 306.621.6032

Parkland College is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members to its Board of Governors. Wendy Becenko and Ken Karius have joined the board and attended their first meeting on June 21.

Wendy Becenko and Ken Karius have joined the Parkland College Board of Governors.

Becenko, from Kamsack, is an administrator for the Rural Municipality of Calder. She has served on Kamsack Town Council and has volunteered with many community organizations including the East Central Tourism Board and Community Futures Ventures.

Karius is a Melville resident and Saskatchewan Operations Manager for North American Lumber. He is a former Melville city councillor and has served numerous community organizations including Melville Minor Sports, Melville Chamber of Commerce, and Melville Regional Park Authority.

With the new additions, the Parkland College Board of Governors currently has five members. Yorkton’s Raymond Sass is the longest-serving current governor, having joined the board in 2013. Melville’s Brian Hicke and Yorkton’s Leonard Keshane began their terms in 2016. Two more appointments are expected in the near future to give the board a full complement of seven members.

The Board of Governors meets monthly to oversee Parkland College’s operations and to provide direction and guidance on institutional decisions. Board members advocate on behalf of the College and support efforts relating to regional economic growth.

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.

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

The Parkland College Board of Governors has announced that Dwayne Reeve will continue to serve as the College’s president on a part-time basis for the rest of 2018.

Reeve tendered his resignation in January with the intention of stepping down at the end of July. However, Parkland College’s recruiting process for a new president was put on hold this spring after the Ministry of Advanced Education formed a Task Force on Regional College Efficiency. Rather than leave the College without a president, Reeve has agreed to continue as president in a half-time role until Dec. 31, 2018.

This arrangement will allow the Task Force to complete its work before the president’s role is filled on a permanent basis.

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.

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

The 13th annual Dollars for Scholars Golf Classic, held Friday at Deer Park Golf Course in Yorkton, raised an estimated $17,500 for the Parkland College scholarship fund.

The Dollars for Scholars Golf Classic is the College’s largest single scholarship fundraiser. Parkland College has now raised over $240,000 since the first tournament in 2006.

“This event is a vital part of our scholarship initiative,” said Dollars for Scholars chairperson Brendan Wagner. “Thanks to the generosity of our golfers and sponsors, more students can earn scholarships as they learn close to home and start their careers.”

The Dollars for Scholars Golf Classic receives support from numerous sources. Banquet sponsor RH Electric and Platinum sponsors Farrell Agencies, SaskTel, and RBC Foundation played key roles in the success of the tournament. The College also thanks the dozens of other sponsors for their financial support and prize donations.

A total of 105 golfers supported the scholarship fund with their entry fees and enjoyed a mostly hot and sunny day, weathering a brief mid-afternoon rain delay.

The 14th annual Dollars for Scholars Golf Classic will be planned for late June 2019.

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.

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

Parkland College held its annual graduation ceremony Thursday at the Yorkton Regional High School’s Anne Portnuff Theatre. Family, friends, staff, and the College’s partners in education congratulated and celebrated 378 students who successfully completed one of more than 20 programs offered at the College in 2017-18.

The graduates represent 49 Saskatchewan communities and seven Manitoba communities. Yorkton led the way with 113 grads, followed by Fort Qu’Appelle with 24, Melville and Kamsack with 22 each, and Regina with 17. The graduating class also included 74 international students from India, Jamaica, Philippines, and Mauritius.

Parkland College offers university degrees, skills training diplomas and certificates, and Adult Basic Education upgrading. Graduates from post-secondary programs received accreditation from the University of Regina, University of Saskatchewan, Lakeland College Emergency Training Centre, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Conestoga College, Assiniboine Community College, and Parkland College.

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.

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

The Parkland College Board of Governors has announced that the recruiting process for a new president and chief executive officer is temporarily on hold.

The College began the recruiting process after current president Dwayne Reeve tendered his resignation in January. Reeve will step down effective July 31, 2018.

The Ministry of Advanced Education recently informed the Parkland College Board of Governors that the newly formed Task Force on Regional College Efficiency will need to complete its work before a permanent CEO is put in place.

The Board will work with the Ministry to determine an interim course of action to fill the CEO position effective August 1.

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.

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

The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association’s (CASA) BeGrainSafe mobile training unit stopped in Melville for several days this week. Firefighters from a number of east-central Saskatchewan departments attended to receive training for grain entrapment rescues.

The trailer is used across the Prairie provinces to train municipal fire departments and industrial emergency response units on the specialized rescue techniques required to help someone entrapped in grain on the farm or in grain handling facilities. Firefighters must follow specific procedures to increase their chances of a successful rescue, while keeping members of their department safe.

The BeGrainSafe trailer features a built-in silo filled with grain, with a demonstration platform above. A small crane-like device lowers a mannequin or volunteer into the silo. Once entrapped, at least two properly trained rescue demonstrators surround the “victim” with a steel rescue tube to stabilize the grain. Then a small auger is used to safely extract the grain from around the “victim” until they can be freed.

Brittany Schofer (left) and Parker Ellert of Melville Fire & Rescue install the first panel of the rescue tube around Parkland College lead fire instructor Scott Weston.

There are also interactive displays and activities, including a lung display that demonstrates how difficult it is to breathe in grain, a flowing grain display that shows how quickly someone can become engulfed in grain, and a leg display that illustrates the force of grain on the body.

On Friday, CASA teamed up with Parkland College and the City of Melville to host demonstrations at the Merv Moore Sportsplex. The event was designed to raise awareness of strategies to prevent grain entrapment.

Brittany Schofer (left) and Parker Ellert of Melville Fire & Rescue use an auger to extract the grain so Parkland College lead fire instructor Scott Weston can be freed.

CASA says BeGrainSafe is a program designed to help save lives. In addition to firefighter training, farmers and grain handling personnel learn about grain safety best practices and develop an emergency response plan for on-site grain storage in the event of an entrapment/engulfment. The ultimate goal is to have successful rescues rather than recoveries.

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.

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

A group of Parkland College students and staff now know what to do in case of an opioid overdose. Some Adult Basic Education students in Melville took part in an information session with Saskatchewan Health Authority public health nurses, who came to their classroom Tuesday afternoon.

The session and subsequent hands-on training focused on take-home naloxone kits. Naloxone (also known by the brand name Narcan) is used to counteract overdoses caused by opioids such as morphine and fentanyl. Students learned the vital steps to help someone experiencing an opioid overdose. Several of them opted for hands-on practice with the same naloxone kits that are available at the Turning Point program in Yorkton and the Stepping Stone Wellness Clinic in Kamsack. Each kit contains two vials of naloxone and two syringes, as well as alcohol swabs, gloves, a breathing barrier mask, and instructions.

Everyone who attended the workshop received a certificate from the health authority. Students who completed the training session will now be certified to administer naloxone.

Opioids include narcotics such as heroin, morphine, fentanyl, methadone, oxycodone, and codeine. People who misuse opioids (whether prescribed or obtained illegally) are at risk of overdosing, which can cause breathing to slow or stop entirely. Naloxone reverses opioid overdose, restoring breathing in a few minutes.

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, there were over 2,800 apparent opioid-related deaths across Canada in 2016, a rate of 7.9 per 100,000 population. Saskatchewan recorded 71 deaths that year. And the province has one of the highest rates of hospitalization in Canada caused by opioid poisoning.

The Government of Saskatchewan says the take-home naloxone kit program is empowering. It gives peers, friends, and families of people who use drugs the chance to save a life, sending a clear message to those who use drugs that their lives matter. In addition to the sites in Yorkton and Kamsack, take-home naloxone kits are currently available in Regina, Saskatoon, North Battleford, and Prince Albert.

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.

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

On Thursday in Yorkton, Parkland College awarded $90,900 to 74 students across the region in this spring’s Internal Scholarships. Combined with Entrance Scholarships handed out in September, Parkland College awarded more than $150,000 in the 2017-18 academic year.

This is the seventh straight year in which the College has given out more than $100,000 in scholarships. In that time, the College has awarded well over $1 million in scholarships to local learners.

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

Eligible post-secondary awards are matched by funds from the Ministry of Advanced Education’s Saskatchewan Innovation and Opportunity Scholarship program. Funds are provided on a dollar-for-dollar matching basis, as available, with 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 2018. Applications for those awards are being accepted now until May 23 at http://bit.ly/2018Entrance.

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.

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

In the month of February, Parkland College issued T2202A Tuition and Enrolment Certificates to students who had studied at the College during the 2017 tax year. Unfortunately, most of the T2202A tax slips that were mailed out last month are incomplete.

Income tax schedule changes in 2017 altered the requirements for T2202As. These slips are now required to be issued in a new format that includes an additional breakdown of tuition and months.

If all your schooling was completed prior to July 1, 2017, then your T2202A slip is likely unaffected by these changes. However, if you have taken classes before and after July 1, 2017, or took classes starting after July 1, 2017, then it is likely you will need more details and an amended T2202A to complete your income tax return.

Parkland College is currently preparing amended T2202As for all students who are affected by these changes. The College will mail these revised tax slips likely within the next two weeks. If you require a detailed breakdown of your T2202A information prior to receiving your amended copy, please email m.broda@parklandcollege.sk.ca.

Important note: This does not mean that you are entitled to claim amounts on your T2202A slip. You still need to determine whether you are eligible to use it. Contact CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) if you have questions or seek advice from a tax professional.

Approximately 120 young learners attended an open house Thursday at Parkland College in Yorkton. The event helped students and their families learn more about the numerous post-secondary programs available at the College.

Staff provided guidance and offered admissions clinics, while student volunteers led visitors on tours of the Main Campus and Trades & Technology Centre and shared insight on what it’s like to take classes close to home. Representatives from the University of Regina, University of Saskatchewan, and Saskatchewan Health Authority were on hand to answer questions about their respective programs and career opportunities.

Half-hour sessions were scheduled during the open house, allowing visitors to learn about application procedures, scholarships, and specific areas of study. There were also question-and-answer sessions and “Money Matters” workshops about student loans and budgets.

“A lot of our students find that our learning environment helps them make a smoother transition to post-secondary workloads and expectations,” said President Dwayne Reeve. “With smaller class sizes than those typically found at a larger institution, students can get to know their instructors and classmates. And many families find they save money by avoiding the costs associated with relocation and renting in another city.”

The application deadline for most 2018-19 programs is May 31, but seats are filling up quickly. Talk to a Parkland College counsellor to learn more about the programs you can take close to home.

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. Parkland College is proud to be one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for 2017.

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

Saskatchewan’s regional colleges maintained or added 4,000 jobs to the province in 2016-17 and generated over $460 million in provincial gross domestic product (GDP), according to a new economic impact assessment by Praxis Consulting.

The Regina-based management consulting firm recently released the findings of an economic impact assessment which illustrates the financial benefits derived from regional colleges in Saskatchewan. Praxis was asked to assess the economic impact of the colleges’ students, graduates, and operations on the provincial economy for the 2016-2017 school year. Impacts were assessed across four dimensions: 1) student spending while enrolled; 2) spending of salaries once students are graduated and in the workforce; 3) productivity impacts of graduates working in their fields; and, 4) college operations.

As part of the assessment, Praxis found that Parkland College contributed 461 jobs within the region in 2016-17 and more than 700 positions in the province. Parkland College also generated nearly $53 million in regional GDP ($79 million in the province).

“These statistics show the importance of Saskatchewan’s colleges to the regions in which they operate, and to the province as a whole,” said Parkland College President Dwayne Reeve. “We are proud to educate the next generation of workers and to play a key role in supporting the local and provincial economies.”

Among the other highlights in the study, Praxis found that colleges create 66 to 72 jobs per million dollars in provincial investment, which it determined is more efficient than a provincial university (56 jobs per million dollars). It also found that regional colleges generated more than $106 million in federal and provincial government revenues in 2017.

Click here to download the complete report.

Parkland College has been alerted to a serious quality issue concerning the USB memory sticks/flash drives which have been distributed to students and staff during the 2017-18 academic year.

These memory sticks are experiencing an abnormally high rate of failure, putting users at risk of losing data. Parkland College recommends that you do not use this particular memory stick to save or back-up important files.

Due to this quality concern, Parkland College will replace any USB memory stick/flash drive distributed during the 2017-18 academic year at no charge. The College will inform students and staff when a supply of replacement memory sticks becomes available.

Parkland College apologizes for any inconvenience caused by the defective memory sticks.

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. Parkland College is proud to be one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for 2017. 

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

The Parkland College Board of Governors announced today that President Dwayne Reeve has tendered his resignation and will step down effective July 31, 2018.

Reeve joined Parkland College in July 2015 after 30 years in the K-12 education system. During his tenure, the College set a new strategic direction, strengthened its financial position, and opened the Trades and Technology Centre in Yorkton.

“I am very thankful for the opportunity to have served as president of Parkland College. It has been a pleasure working with a group of devoted Board members and staff,” Reeve said. “I look forward to following the continued growth and development of the College as an interested community member.”

The Board reluctantly accepted Reeve’s resignation, expressing its gratitude for his leadership and vision.

“We are grateful to have benefitted from Mr. Reeve’s commitment to education and dedication to our staff and students,” said Chairperson Lydia Cyr. “We wish him the best in the next stage of his journey.”

The Board will immediately begin its search for a successor.

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. Parkland College is proud to be one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for 2017.

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

Nursing students truly do make a difference in the communities where they study and practice. The most recent example is the effort put forth by Yorkton nursing students, who came together to offer a variety of activities in Yorkton and Kamsack during HIV Awareness Week. Collaborating with Sunrise Health Region (now the Saskatchewan Health Authority) and Parkland College, fourth-year nursing students, led by Jillian Henry-Wilkinson, organized and hosted wonderful events that will impact the health of the entire community.

Inspired by an initiative that was previously organized by Sunrise Health Region, but due to funding difficulties was no longer able to operate, nursing students Jillian Henry-Wilkinson, Taylor Trost, Courtney Severson, Dara Yacishyn and Presley DeCock were able to bring back the availability of a condom dispensary at Parkland College’s Main Campus in Yorkton. The students hosted a pizza luncheon as a fundraiser and partnered with LifeStyles Condoms to get the pilot project off the ground. The first dispensary is set to be launched in the New Year, alongside two dispensaries donated in-kind from the Saskatchewan Health Authority. Given the nursing students are in their final year and will be graduating soon, they hope both future nursing students and students studying at Parkland College will continue to maintain the upkeep of the dispensaries going forward.

The same day the nursing students hosted the pizza lunch fundraiser, they also created an opportunity to connect students at Parkland College with health professionals. They coordinated to have public health nurses from Sunrise Health Region offer HIV and Hepatitis C testing, give flu shots, and provide access to education materials about Naloxone, a medication used to the block the effects of opioids for the prevention of drug overdose.

Educational posters were also displayed around Parkland College to bring awareness to HIV, sexually transmitted infections and contraceptives. Students were given free condoms, pamphlets providing further information and were encouraged to support community awareness of HIV through the wearing of red ribbons.

“Many students and teachers stopped by the tables to ask us, the nursing students, questions regarding the information we were providing,” said Jillian Henry-Wilkinson. “Overall, we felt the event was a huge success.”

During a clinical placement this fall, the same fourth-year nursing students were given the opportunity to work alongside New Beginnings Community Outreach Center in Kamsack. During the students’ first meeting with staff at New Beginnings, the nursing students inquired as to which donations they needed most. Without hesitation, the staff stated that food was something they always need, as they feed approximately 100 people per day. On Dec. 1, World AIDS Day, the nursing students, with help from representatives from the University of Saskatchewan College of Nursing, Sunrise Health Region and New Beginnings staff, hosted a hot lunch for clients at New Beginnings. The lunch gave the nursing students the opportunity to provide food for the individuals, but also to present HIV awareness information to the community as well. The event included presentations about basic HIV information and encouraged group discussions with local peer support workers from Sunrise Health Region.

The nursing students would like to extend their thanks to the individuals who attended these HIV awareness events and made them the success they were. They hope in bringing this information forward that they have inspired participants to pass along the knowledge to others in Yorkton and surrounding communities.

“We would like to thank the University of Saskatchewan College of Nursing for supporting these student planned events that were aimed at increasing the health of our communities,” said Henry-Wilkinson. “We would also like to thank our clinical instructors, Sunrise Health Region, Parkland College and New Beginnings staff and volunteers who helped to make these events happen. And we must acknowledge Save-On-Foods in Yorkton and Prairie Grain Bakery in Kamsack for their gracious donations and LifeStyles Condoms for stocking the dispensaries when the program launches.”

This story was originally published on the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Nursing website.

About 2,000 high school students and visitors from the Parkland region attended Career Explorations 2017 at the Gallagher Centre in Yorkton on Friday. The eighth annual education and career fair attracted about 80 exhibitors from across Saskatchewan, Western Canada, and North Dakota.

Career Explorations is the largest education and job fair in East Central Saskatchewan. It is organized by Parkland College, Good Spirit School Division, and Christ the Teacher Catholic Schools.

The goal of the career fair is to provide students with many of the options available to them once they finish high school. Career Explorations puts all these options under one roof. Students and visitors were able to access information from dozens of educational institutions and companies from numerous sectors of the economy, including agriculture, construction, health, mining, public safety, and government.

Career Explorations was created from a Learning Alliance signed in 2008 between Good Spirit School Division and Parkland College. Christ the Teacher Catholic Schools has expanded its role since joining the organizing committee in 2012.

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Contact information:
Brendan Wagner
Coordinator of Corporate & Internal Engagement
Parkland College
Phone: 306.728.6595

The City of Yorkton and Parkland College have signed a new lease on almost 100 acres of agriculture land near the city.

The donated land is used by the College for applied research and revenue generation. The lease includes 41 acres just south of Yorkton for the College’s research farm and 58.6 acres of hay land at the city’s west end. These parcels would otherwise be leased to a farmer for approximately $5,600 per year, according to the City.

“The City of Yorkton is pleased to offer the lands to organizations like Parkland College in support of their operations and as a revenue generation source,” said Mayor Bob Maloney.

The land is home to a long-term agriculture applied research partnership with East Central Research Foundation. The partnership enabled Parkland College to become the first regional college in Saskatchewan to undertake an applied research program to serve regional economic development. The College also uses the research site to provide hands-on training to students enrolled in agriculture programs.

Yorkton Mayor Bob Maloney and Parkland College President Dwayne Reeve talk at the Research Farm just south of Yorkton.

“We are grateful to the City of Yorkton for its contribution to education and applied research,” said Parkland College President Dwayne Reeve. “The information our experts collect on this land is valued by the research community, agricultural industry, and local producers.”

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. Parkland College is proud to be one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for 2017.

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

Parkland College awarded 18 Entrance Scholarships with a combined value of approximately $65,800 at a presentation event Tuesday in Yorkton. All students receiving Entrance Scholarships this fall are taking university, skills training, or trades programs at Parkland College.

These scholarships are made possible through the generosity of local businesses and organizations, community members, Parkland College staff, and the Ministry of Advanced Education’s Saskatchewan Innovation & Opportunity Scholarship (SIOS) program. SIOS is a matching program in which funds are provided on a dollar-for-dollar basis with local non-government donors. For every dollar raised locally, the province matches that dollar to support scholarships, as available.

Students interested in learning more about scholarship opportunities at Parkland College are encouraged to find out more here. Internal Scholarships for students already enrolled in Parkland College programs will be awarded in March 2018. Applications for those awards will be available to students beginning in December.

About Us:
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. This is the 20th year that Parkland College has offered scholarships to its students.

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For more information contact:
Brendan Wagner
Scholarship Committee Chairperson
Parkland College
Phone: 306.728.6595

Parkland College marked the grand opening of the new Kamsack Training Centre on Thursday. The College moved over the summer from its former home at the Crowstand Centre to the Kamsack Shopping Plaza on First Street.

The College celebrated the opening of the new Kamsack location with a ribbon cutting and remarks from dignitaries including Canora-Pelly MLA Terry Dennis, Parkland College President Dwayne Reeve, and testimonials from students.

Parkland College student Deirdre Shingoose cuts the ceremonial ribbon to open the new training centre in Kamsack. From left to right, Canora-Pelly MLA Terry Dennis, College Board members Sally Bishop and Leonard Keshane, Deirdre Shingoose, College Board chair Lydia Cyr, Kamsack Mayor Nancy Brunt, and College President Dwayne Reeve.

“Our new home in Kamsack allows us to better meet the needs of adult learners in this area,” Reeve said. “It has a great layout and is more student-friendly, which will help enhance the learning experience here.”

The Kamsack Training Centre delivers Adult Basic Education and high school upgrading classes, along with Essential Skills training. Between 50 and 60 students are enrolled in classes at Kamsack.

Guests at the grand opening were able to tour the 4,200-square-foot facility, which includes three large classrooms, a spacious common area, and office and storage space.

“Parkland College is committed to helping our region and our province prosper,” Reeve added. “It all starts with education and training, so residents can pursue a career and build a better life.”

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. Parkland College is proud to be one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for 2017.

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

Parkland College hosted an Essential Skills Day celebration Friday in Yorkton to share the importance of Essential Skills with employers and the public. The event also honoured community partners and employers who provided work placements for students.

Essential Skills Day is organized annually to raise awareness and celebrate the importance of nine Essential Skills as defined by the Government of Canada: reading, document use, numeracy, writing, oral communication, working with others, thinking, computer use, and continuous learning.

“Each of us needs a good set of Essential Skills to succeed in work and everyday life. We use them all the time,” said Gail Gorchynski, Essential Skills Consultant and Head Counsellor at Parkland College. “In order to learn a new skill or to train for a job, you need Essential Skills as a solid foundation to achieve success. Everyone benefits when Essential Skills development is emphasized.”

The benefits are particularly apparent for Canadian employers. They report that improved literacy skills result in increased retention, productivity, ability to work independently, and increased usage of new technology. Improved skills also reduce absenteeism, health and safety incidents, and error rates. Meanwhile, employees who participate in Literacy and Essential Skills programs increase their level of self-confidence, acquire new skills, are better prepared to seek promotion opportunities, and believe that they are valued by their workplaces.

For more on Essential Skills Day, please visit ABC Life Literacy. Information about Parkland College’s Essential Skills training programs can be found here.

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. Parkland College is proud to be one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for 2017.

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

Parkland College and East Central Research Foundation (ECRF) welcomed about 70 farmers, agriculture professionals, and industry representatives to their fifth annual research farm field day Thursday near Yorkton. The event highlights the agriculture applied research partnership between the College and ECRF, which officially began in 2013.

This summer there are numerous projects underway at the joint research farm 1 km south of Yorkton on York Lake Road. There is also a secondary site to the west along Queen Street. Researchers are conducting a variety of trials on about a dozen different crops, including canola, oats, barley, wheat, soybeans, lentils, and flax.

Parkland College and ECRF have a long-term plan to carry out agriculture research activities in the Yorkton area. The partnership enabled Parkland College to become the first regional college in Saskatchewan to undertake an applied research program to serve regional economic development. The College also uses the field research site to provide hands-on training to students enrolled in agriculture programs.

The data collected on site throughout the growing season will be shared with the research community, agricultural industry, and local producers. More information on these and other projects is available at www.ecrf.ca.

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. Parkland College is proud to be one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for 2017.

About East Central Research Foundation:
Established in 1996, the East Central Research Foundation (ECRF) is a non-profit organization whose mandate is to conduct crop production research and extension activities for the agricultural industry of east central Saskatchewan. It is directed by a board of local producers and advised by provincial specialists.

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For more information contact:
Mike Hall
Research Coordinator
Parkland College/ECRF
Phone: 306.621.6032

The 12th annual Dollars for Scholars Golf Classic, held Friday at Deer Park Golf Course in Yorkton, raised an estimated $19,700 for the Parkland College scholarship fund.

The Dollars for Scholars Golf Classic is the College’s largest single scholarship fundraiser. Parkland College has now raised over $225,000 since the first tournament in 2006.

“Every year we are reminded of the generosity of the people and businesses in the Parkland region,” event organizer Brendan Wagner said. “Our golfers and sponsors are helping students who want to stay close to home to learn, hone their skills, and start their careers.”

The Dollars for Scholars Golf Classic receives support from numerous sources. Banquet sponsor R H Electric and Platinum sponsors Farrell Agencies, SaskTel, and RBC Foundation played key roles in the success of the tournament.

The College also thanks the 18 Gold Sponsors, 14 Silver sponsors, and dozens of Bronze sponsors and two hole-in-one partners for their donations of cash and prizes. A total of 107 golfers braved the inclement weather and supported the scholarship fund with their entry fees.

The 13th annual Dollars for Scholars Golf Classic is tentatively scheduled for June 22, 2018.

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. Parkland College is proud to be one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for 2017.

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

Parkland College held its annual graduation ceremony Friday at the Yorkton Regional High School’s Anne Portnuff Theatre. Family, friends, and College staff congratulated and celebrated 340 students who successfully completed one of more than 20 programs offered at the College in 2016-17.

The graduates represent 50 communities. Yorkton led the way with 149 grads, followed by Kamsack with 31, Fort Qu’Appelle with 27, Melville with 23, and Regina with 13.

Parkland College offers university degrees, skills training diplomas and certificates, and Adult Basic Education upgrading. Graduates from post-secondary programs received accreditation from the University of Regina, University of Saskatchewan, Lakeland College Emergency Training Centre, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Conestoga College, and Parkland College.

The guest speaker was Corey O’Soup, who is in his first year as Saskatchewan’s Advocate for Children and Youth. O’Soup’s remarks focused on the importance of education, especially among indigenous youth.

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. Parkland College is proud to be one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for 2017.

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

On Friday, June 9, Parkland College will celebrate the Class of 2017.

The annual graduation ceremony will honour successful student completions in numerous program areas including University, Diploma and Certificate programs, and Adult Basic Education. Graduates from post-secondary programs will receive accreditation from the University of Regina, University of Saskatchewan, Lakeland College Emergency Training Centre, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Conestoga College, and Parkland College.

More than 300 graduates from the College’s locations in Canora, Esterhazy, Fort Qu’Appelle, Kamsack, Melville, and Yorkton will be recognized. The graduation ceremonies take place in the Anne Portnuff Theatre at Yorkton Regional High School, beginning at 2:00 p.m.

This year’s graduation will include an address from guest speaker Corey O’Soup, Saskatchewan’s Advocate for Children and Youth.

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. Parkland College is proud to be one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for 2017.

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

The wheels are in motion for Parkland College’s annual graduation ceremony, which is scheduled for Friday, June 9. Like last year, grad will be held at the Anne Portnuff Theatre in Yorkton, beginning at 2 p.m.

Tickets to the June 9 ceremony are now on sale. Each graduating student is entitled to one complimentary ticket, and may buy up to four more for guests at $2.00 each. Tickets are available for purchase at each College location.

Graduates may also sign up for a professional grad portrait sitting. Grad photos will take place in 10-minute intervals at the Main Campus in Yorkton from June 7 to June 9.

• Students who take classes in Yorkton can reserve a sitting on June 7 and June 8.
• Rural students can reserve a spot before the graduation ceremony on June 9 from noon to 1:30 p.m.

All graduating students are asked to sign up for a photo sitting ahead of time by visiting reception at the Main Campus or by calling 1.866.783.6766.

All graduates must wear a gown for the ceremony. The cost is covered by Parkland College. If you have not already provided your gown size, please call 306.786.7331 by April 28.

Parkland College and the East Central Research Foundation (ECRF) have released their annual research report for 2016. The report recaps the partnership’s progress last year and provides thorough details on 11 experimental trials conducted at three farm sites just outside of Yorkton.

In 2016, researchers conducted trials on numerous field crops including oats, lentils, soybeans, wheat, corn, flax, and faba beans. The projects looked at the effects of a wide variety of variables, such as crop rotation, seeding rates, and fungicide and fertilizer use. The complete report can be viewed at www.ecrf.ca.

ECRF signed a memorandum of understanding with Parkland College in 2013 to jointly conduct applied research in the Yorkton area. This made Parkland the first regional college in Saskatchewan to undertake an applied research program. The partnership also provides the College with a location and equipment to use for training students. The College and ECRF have access to different funding sources, further strengthening the partnership.

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. Parkland College is proud to be one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for 2016.

About the East Central Research Foundation:
The ECRF is a non-profit, producer directed research organization which works closely with various levels of government, commodity groups, private industry, and producers. Founded in 1996, the mission of ECRF is to promote profitable and sustainable agricultural practices through applied research and technology transfer to the agricultural industry.

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For more information contact:
Mike Hall
Research Coordinator
Parkland College/East Central Research Foundation
Phone: 306.621.6032

On Friday in Yorkton, Parkland College awarded $98,900 to 84 students from across the region in this spring’s Internal Scholarships.

Combined with Entrance Scholarships handed out in September, Parkland College awarded over $171,000 in the 2016-17 academic year. This is the sixth straight year in which the College has given out more than $100,000 in scholarships.

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

Eligible post-secondary awards are matched by funds from the Ministry of Advanced Education’s Saskatchewan Innovation and Opportunity Scholarship program. Funds are provided on a dollar-for-dollar matching basis, as available, with 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 2017. Applications for those awards are being accepted now until May 24 at http://bit.ly/2017Entrance.

About Parkland College:
Parkland College strives to help students in East Central Saskatchewan achieve their goals and build the foundation for successful careers. Students can choose from a wide array of educational options, including university degrees, skills training diplomas and certificates, trades training, high school upgrading, safety training, and corporate/professional development. Parkland College is a learner-centered organization and is proud to be one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for 2016.

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

The University of Saskatchewan (U of S) College of Nursing was proud to celebrate the official grand opening of the new Nursing Clinical Skills Lab in Yorkton on Friday. The lab, which is a partnership between the University of Saskatchewan College of Nursing, Sunrise Health Region and Parkland College, is located in the Yorkton Regional Health Centre.

A ribbon cutting on Mar. 3 officially opened the Nursing Clinical Skills Lab at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre.

The U of S College of Nursing serves the Yorkton area through a number of initiatives, including continuing education learning events for practicing nurses, distributed Master of Nursing and Nurse Practitioner graduate programs and an accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) undergraduate program delivered at Parkland College.

The new Nursing Clinical Skills Lab provides a consolidated and standardized practice space to host nursing labs in the second and third year of the BSN program. “The investment in this health education infrastructure in Yorkton will not only provide a quality learning experience for our undergrad BSN students, but will also serve as an excellent venue for collaboration among health care educators and providers in the Sunrise Health Region,” said Mark Tomtene, director of operations and strategic planning with the U of S College of Nursing.

The Nursing Clinical Skills Lab has all the resources students and instructors need, including four patient beds, simulation mannequins and various medical devices, giving students the confidence to complete the practical skills they will need during their clinical placements throughout the program. The equipment used in the Yorkton simulation lab is the same as other College of Nursing labs across the province. Other amenities in the lab include a handwashing station, storage space and audio visual equipment to bring rich media learning material into the lab setting.

Nursing student Amy Daniel talks with Parkland College President Dwayne Reeve about one of the high-tech training mannequins in the lab.

Adjacent to the lab is a new meeting room for students to use during debriefing sessions, with full video conferencing capabilities available for distributed teaching, research and administrative purposes. Creating an academic learning lab within the hospital allows for the shared use of Seymour, the remote presence communication robot that was introduced in Sunrise Health Region in 2015. “The video conference and remote presence technology in the new lab can connect professionals together from around the world, creating an opportunity to bring additional expertise into the Sunrise Health Region, as well as, share with the rest of the world the talent and leadership in rural health delivery already located in Yorkton”, said Tomtene.

“Sunrise Health Region is very pleased to continue our collaboration with the U of S College of Nursing through the Nursing Clinical Skills Lab at Yorkton Regional Health Centre,” said Roberta Wiwcharuk, Vice President of Integrated Health Services. “The addition of this training space right in our facility further emphasizes our focus as a learning organization, allowing our students and staff members to learn where they live, and enhances our ongoing commitment to training health care professionals now and into the future.”

A clinical skills lab provides students with a safe and controlled learning environment to practice their nursing skills before entering into clinical settings with patients. A broad range of theory courses ranging from anatomy to pediatrics provide students with the knowledge and science they will need to apply in the skills lab. Through the partnership established in 2014 between the U of S and Parkland College, nursing students are able to take all of their theory classes in Yorkton at Parkland College.

“This lab is a wonderful addition to the program, providing our students with new, exciting learning opportunities,” said Dwayne Reeve, President of Parkland College. “It’s an important tool that will help students in the Parkland region to hone their skills and prepare for careers in health care.”

The partnerships between the U of S College of Nursing, Sunrise Health Region and Parkland College are evidence of the commitment to innovation and capacity building that is shared by all three institutions for advancing health education and healthcare in Saskatchewan.

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For more information, contact:
Kylie Kelso
Marketing and Communications Specialist
College of Nursing
University of Saskatchewan
306-281-8448

Krista Boychuk
Communications Consultant
Sunrise Health Region
306-786-0753

Brendan Wagner
Coordinator, Corporate and Internal Engagement
Parkland College
306-728-6595

Parkland College recently marked the conclusion of a Housing Maintenance/Essential Skills program at Keeseekoose First Nation. Seven students successfully completed the program and were celebrated at a ceremony on Feb. 17.

The program was run by Parkland College in partnership with Yorkton Tribal Council and the Keeseekoose Band. It consisted of five weeks in the classroom where students focused on building their Essential Skills, followed by five weeks of hands-on carpentry experience.

Each student learned the basics by building a dog house and a deck chair. Then together, the class built a mock wall to learn how to drywall, mud and insulate, and perform wiring. The final project was an ice fishing shack which was donated to Keeseekoose Chiefs’ Education Centre.

Parkland College delivers numerous Essential Skills projects every year in partnerships across the Parkland region. Essential Skills are the foundation upon which we learn all other skills, and are used in nearly every job and at different levels of complexity. The nine Essential Skills, as defined by the Government of Canada, are reading, document use, numeracy, writing, oral communication, working with others, thinking, computer use, and continuous learning.

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. Parkland College is proud to be one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for 2016.

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

More than 70 young learners attended an open house Thursday at Parkland College in Yorkton. The event helped students and their families learn more about university classes and degrees available through the College.

Representatives from the University of Regina (U of R) and University of Saskatchewan (U of S) were on hand to answer questions about their respective programs. Parkland College staff provided guidance and offered on-the-spot applications, while student volunteers led visitors on tours of the main campus and shared insight on what it’s like to take university classes close to home.

Half-hour sessions were scheduled during the open house, allowing visitors to learn about admissions, scholarships, specific areas of study, and even studying abroad. There were also question-and-answer sessions, “Money Matters” workshops about student loans and budgets, and sample lectures for prospective students to attend.

Parkland College delivers full degree options including a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the U of S and the U of R’s Bachelor of Social Work. And a teaching degree is now available in the form of the Bachelor of Indigenous Education from the First Nations University of Canada.

Students interested in another field can take the first year of almost any degree available in Saskatchewan at Parkland College. Taking first-year classes at the College can help learners more easily transition to university workloads and expectations. With smaller class sizes than those found at the universities, students can get to know their instructors and classmates. And many families are able to save money by avoiding the costs associated with relocation and renting in another city.

Application deadlines for the 2017-18 year are quickly approaching. Talk to a Parkland College counsellor to learn more.

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.

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

Parkland College has successfully concluded an 18-month international project in Jamaica. A youth skills development program gave over 600 Jamaican youth the skills to transition to further education or directly into employment.

Parkland College was selected for this project in 2014 by HEART Trust/NTA, a training institution with locations across Jamaica. The College worked with HEART Trust to facilitate the project, which was jointly funded by the Canadian and British governments and administered by Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan).

Using its expertise in Essential Skills, Parkland College led workshops and courses for both staff and students. About 80 staff from HEART Trust and Community Training Interventions became trainers in instructional, counselling, and gender equality strategies. They are now training others, building capacity throughout Jamaica and ensuring the sustainability of new skills and knowledge.

“The project created a proven model of success for pre-vocational education in Jamaica to adopt to better serve at-risk youth,” said Kami DePape, Director of Academics and Student Services at Parkland College. “Without this pre-technology program, these youth would not have the opportunity to advance into skills training.”

One exciting aspect of the program was the implementation of technology in the classroom. Parkland College introduced Socrative, a formative assessment tool delivered through a mobile device. Jamaican instructors are now using this in their own institutions to engage youth through technology and to assess their students’ progress. Online training videos have been developed in instructional strategies, adult learning principles, technology in the classroom, and formative assessment, all of which can be accessed anytime and anywhere.

The project is a milestone for Parkland College. While the College has gained experience with several international projects over the past few years, this is the first time the College has taken a lead role in project execution. DePape calls it a significant achievement for an institution of Parkland’s size.

“It was also important for Parkland College to see the similarities between its own adult upgrading students and the students in Jamaica. Personal development, alongside academics, is critical to success,” DePape added.

The project was a learning experience for the College, which can now bring ideas home to its own programs in Saskatchewan. Although the formal project is over, Parkland College will continue its educational relationship and exchange with its Jamaican partners through a Desire2Learn site dedicated to the project.

About Parkland College:
Parkland College strives to help students in East Central Saskatchewan achieve their goals and build the foundation for successful careers. Students can choose from a wide array of educational options, including university degrees, skills training diplomas and certificates, trades training, high school upgrading, safety training, and corporate/professional development. Parkland College is a learner-centered organization and is proud to be one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for 2016.

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

More than 2,000 high school students and visitors from the Parkland region attended Career Explorations 2016 at the Gallagher Centre in Yorkton on Friday. The seventh annual education and career fair attracted about 80 exhibitors from across Saskatchewan, Western Canada, and North Dakota.

Career Explorations is the largest education and job fair in East Central Saskatchewan. It is organized by Parkland College, Good Spirit School Division, and Christ the Teacher Catholic Schools.

The goal of the career fair is to provide students with many of the options available to them once they finish high school. Career Explorations puts all these options under one roof. Students and visitors were able to access information from dozens of educational institutions and numerous companies from the agriculture, construction, health, and government sectors.

Career Explorations was born out of a Learning Alliance signed in 2008 between Good Spirit School Division and Parkland College. Christ the Teacher Catholic Schools has expanded its role since joining the organizing committee in 2012.

Twelve students from eight First Nations across east-central Saskatchewan are ready to join the job market after a training course at Pasqua First Nation.

Parkland College recently wrapped up the seven-week Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) program. The Saskatchewan Polytechnic program trains students for careers in construction, mining, oil and gas, and other industries.

At Pasqua First Nation, students operated two pieces of equipment provided by Redhead Equipment of Regina, including graders, excavators, dozers, rock trucks, skid steers, and loaders. The program also included several safety certifications and a week of employment transition training, which provides students with resume writing techniques, interview skills, and job search tips.

The hands-on component of the program allowed the students to complete two road projects for the Pasqua First Nation band.

“Eight students had perfect attendance which indicated their interest and dedication for this hands-on training,” said Parkland College program coordinator Larry Pearen. “Our two experienced instructors knew how to engage each student in the program.”

Sask Polytech Continuing Education Consultant Jim Marcia stated that his visit to the Parkland College program was the highlight of all his program visits this construction season. He was very pleased with the quality of the instructors, coordination, and partnership Sask Polytech has with Parkland College.

For the students, this short program will have a long-term impact.

“This program gives us a chance to gain more knowledge in heavy equipment machinery. We now have more opportunities in a career in which I am interested,” said Fern Starr of Pasqua First Nation.

John Thomson of Carry the Kettle First Nation called his training a privilege. “This program has helped me learn how to operate heavy equipment safely and taught me most of what I need to know about construction and road building. The HEO program has also boosted my confidence and self-esteem. The instructors of the course have been a big help.”

The Heavy Equipment Operator program was sponsored by CP Rail, Enbridge, and Pasqua First Nation.

About Parkland College:
Parkland College strives to help students in East Central Saskatchewan achieve their goals and build the foundation for successful careers. Students can choose from a wide array of educational options, including university degrees, skills training diplomas and certificates, trades training, high school upgrading, safety training, and corporate/professional development. Parkland College is a learner-centered organization and is proud to be one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for 2016.

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Parkland College has launched a new strategic plan to help guide its education and training efforts to 2020. The plan was approved by the Parkland College Board of Governors at a meeting last week.

The new plan is built around four key priority areas:

• ACHIEVE: enhance the learner experience; build successful careers; strengthen quality programs and instruction
• INNOVATE: improve and simplify business processes; strengthen evidence-based decision making; elevate Parkland College’s role in social and economic development of communities
• GROW: strengthen college integration and teamwork; enhance employee skills, abilities, and satisfaction; strengthen leadership for the future
• ADVANCE: increase alternate revenue sources; maximize use of physical assets; strengthen philanthropy; minimize risk

The plan hinges on embedding indigenization into the strategic framework and operations of the College to better serve the education and training needs of indigenous people.

“To thrive in the future, we must embrace change,” said President Dwayne Reeve. “If we view change as an opportunity for improvement and interesting new challenges, then we are in for an extremely exciting future.”

The strategic plan is the result of nearly a year of consultations with students, staff, stakeholders, and communities in the Parkland region. Click here for more details about the strategic plan.

About Parkland College:
Parkland College strives to help students in East Central Saskatchewan achieve their goals and build the foundation for successful careers. Students can choose from a wide array of educational options, including university degrees, skills training diplomas and certificates, trades training, high school upgrading, safety training, and corporate/professional development. Parkland College is a learner-centered organization and is proud to be one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for 2016.

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

Parkland College awarded 19 Entrance Scholarships with a combined value of approximately $88,800 at a presentation event Thursday in Yorkton. All students receiving Entrance Scholarships this fall are taking university, skills training, or trades programs at Parkland College.

Some of the recipients of the 2016 Parkland College Entrance Scholarships.

These scholarships are made possible through the generosity of local businesses and organizations, community members, Parkland College staff, and the Ministry of Advanced Education’s Saskatchewan Innovation & Opportunity Scholarship (SIOS) program. SIOS is a matching program in which funds are provided on a dollar-for-dollar basis with local non-government donors. For every dollar raised locally, the province matches that dollar to support scholarships, as available.

“Our scholarship program wouldn’t exist without tremendous support from the community and the Ministry of Advanced Education,” said scholarship committee chair Brendan Wagner. “As we welcome more and more post-secondary students to our campuses, it’s vital that our scholarship program keeps pace.”

Students interested in learning more about scholarship opportunities at Parkland College are encouraged to find out more here. Internal Scholarships for students already enrolled in Parkland College programs will be awarded in March 2017. Applications for those awards will be available to students beginning in December.

About Us:
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. This is the 19th year that Parkland College has offered scholarships to its students.

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For more information contact:
Brendan Wagner
Scholarship Committee Chairperson
Parkland College
Phone: 306.728.6595

Parkland College will receive up to $200,000 in government funding to further develop the College’s Emergency Services Training Site at Melville. The Government of Canada announced $100,000 in funding through the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund on Aug. 19. This investment will now be matched by the Government of Saskatchewan.

The funding will help cover the cost of installing an electrical and pressurized water system at the training site just east of Melville.

“This investment helps to ensure the continued success of Parkland College’s emergency services programming,” said President Dwayne Reeve. “By upgrading our training site, we are able to improve the learning experience for our students and industrial partners.”

Over the past several years, the Emergency Services Training Site has gradually expanded and been developed to better replicate real-life emergency scenarios. The site provides hundreds of hours of hands-on training every year to students enrolled in the College’s Professional Firefighting training program and to industrial firefighting brigades from all over Saskatchewan.

The federal government’s Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund is a $2-billion initiative designed to modernize research and commercialization facilities at Canadian universities, colleges, and polytechnics. The objective is to enhance and modernize research facilities on Canadian campuses and to promote economic activity across the country.

About Parkland College:
Parkland College strives to help students in East Central Saskatchewan achieve their goals and build the foundation for successful careers. Students can choose from a wide array of educational options, including university degrees, skills training diplomas and certificates, trades training, high school upgrading, safety training, and corporate/professional development. Parkland College is a learner-centered organization and is proud to be one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for 2016.

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

Parkland College and East Central Research Foundation (ECRF) welcomed more than 50 farmers, agriculture professionals, and industry representatives to their fourth annual research farm field day Thursday near Yorkton. The event highlights the agriculture applied research partnership between the College and ECRF, which officially began in 2013.

This summer there are dozens of projects underway at the joint research farm 1 km south of Yorkton on York Lake Road. There’s also a secondary site 1 km south of Yorkton on Highway 9. Researchers are conducting a variety of trials on wheat, oats, canary seed, soybeans, fava beans, lentils, flax, and quinoa.

Parkland College and ECRF have a long-term plan to carry out agriculture research activities in the Yorkton area. The partnership enabled Parkland College to become the first regional college in Saskatchewan to undertake an applied research program to serve regional economic development. The College also uses the field research site to provide hands-on training to students enrolled in agriculture programs.

The data collected on site throughout the growing season will be shared with the research community, agricultural industry, and local producers. More information on these and other projects is available at www.ecrf.ca.

About Parkland College:
Parkland College strives to help students in East Central Saskatchewan achieve their goals and build the foundation for successful careers. Students can choose from a wide array of educational options, including university degrees, skills training diplomas and certificates, trades training, high school upgrading, safety training, and corporate/professional development. Parkland College is a learner-centered organization and is proud to be one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for 2016.

About East Central Research Foundation:
Established in 1996, the East Central Research Foundation (ECRF) is a non-profit organization whose mandate is to conduct crop production research and extension activities for the agricultural industry of east central Saskatchewan. It is directed by a board of local producers and advised by provincial specialists.

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

The 11th annual Dollars for Scholars Golf Classic, held Friday at Deer Park Golf Course in Yorkton, raised an estimated $21,500 for the Parkland College scholarship fund.

The Dollars for Scholars Golf Classic is the College’s largest single scholarship fundraiser. The event has now raised at least $20,000 five years running. Proceeds from past events helped Parkland College award almost $200,000 in scholarships in 2015-16.

The weather was perfect as 115 golfers hit the links at Deer Park Golf Course in Yorkton.

“This event is huge for our students,” said Dollars for Scholars organizer Brendan Wagner. “All the money raised stays in the Parkland Region, benefitting students who want to learn here, stay here, and build a career here.”

The Dollars for Scholars Golf Classic is made possible by generous contributions from numerous community supporters, volunteers, and sponsors. Banquet sponsor R H Electric and Platinum sponsors Farrell Agencies, Logan Stevens Construction, SaskTel, and RBC Financial Group played key roles in the success of the tournament.

Paul Keys tees off for the City of Yorkton team. Twenty-nine teams entered the tournament.

Parkland College also thanks the 19 Gold Sponsors, 10 Silver sponsors, dozens of Bronze sponsors, and two hole-in-one sponsors for their donations of cash and prizes. A total of 115 golfers supported the scholarship fund with their entry fees.

The 12th annual Dollars for Scholars Golf Classic is tentatively scheduled for June 23, 2017 at Deer Park.

About Parkland College:
Parkland College strives to help students in East Central Saskatchewan achieve their goals and build the foundation for successful careers. Students can choose from a wide array of educational options, including university degrees, skills training diplomas and certificates, trades training, high school upgrading, safety training, and corporate/professional development. Parkland College is a learner-centered organization and is proud to be one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for 2016.

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

A temporary access road is being built around Parkland College’s Trades and Technology Centre as part of the City of Yorkton’s Dracup Avenue North Reconstruction Project.

The City says the project will enter its final phase on Wednesday, June 22. This phase includes a temporary service road from the Dracup Avenue/Dunlop Street intersection to the Trades and Technology Centre. The new detour runs east from the intersection and turns north, providing access to the east side of the facility.

The City estimates the detour and temporary road may be in use through early August. Anyone with questions or concerns about access to the College should contact the Public Works office at 306.786.1760.

About Parkland College:
Parkland College strives to help students in East Central Saskatchewan achieve their goals and build the foundation for successful careers. Students can choose from a wide array of educational options, including university degrees, skills training diplomas and certificates, trades training, high school upgrading, safety training, and corporate/professional development. Parkland College is a learner-centered organization and is proud to be one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for 2016.

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

Parkland College held its annual graduation ceremony Friday at the Yorkton Regional High School’s Anne Portnuff Theatre. Family, friends, and College staff congratulated and celebrated 323 students who successfully completed one of more than 25 programs offered at the College in 2015-16.

The graduates represent 58 communities. Yorkton led the way with 136 grads, followed by Kamsack with 42, Fort Qu’Appelle with 19, Melville with 18, and Regina with nine. This year’s graduating class also includes students from British Columbia, Alberta, and Manitoba.

Parkland College offers university degrees, skills training diplomas and certificates, and Adult Basic Education upgrading. Graduates from post-secondary programs received accreditation from First Nations University of Canada, University of Regina, University of Saskatchewan, Lakeland College Emergency Training Centre, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Conestoga College, and Parkland College.

The guest speaker was Dwayne Reeve, who is completing his first year as President of Parkland College. Reeve’s speech focused on the importance of lifelong learning and the value of learning from everyone around you, not just in the classroom.

About Parkland College:
Parkland College strives to help students in East Central Saskatchewan achieve their goals and build the foundation for successful careers. Students can choose from a wide array of educational options, including university degrees, skills training diplomas and certificates, trades training, high school upgrading, safety training, and corporate/professional development. Parkland College is a learner-centered organization and is proud to be one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for 2016.

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

Golfers can still reserve their spots in Parkland College’s upcoming Dollars for Scholars Golf Classic. The 11th annual scholarship fundraising event takes place Friday, June 24 at Deer Park Golf Course in Yorkton. It begins with a shotgun start at 1:00 p.m.

“This is a great opportunity for golfers of all skill levels to take part in a fun event for a good cause,” said Dollars for Scholars chairperson Brendan Wagner.

Golfers can sign up individually for $100 or as a four-person team for $400. Entry fees include 18 holes of golf, power cart rental, and a barbecue steak supper after the event. There will also be door prizes and opportunities to participate in chipping and putting contests and a silent auction.

All proceeds from the Dollars for Scholars Golf Classic go to Parkland College’s student scholarship fund. Every dollar is converted into scholarships for students enrolled in a variety of post-secondary programs at the College. Thanks to the generosity of local businesses, community groups, and individuals, the 2015 Dollars for Scholars Golf Classic raised over $26,000.

To register for the Dollars for Scholars Golf Classic, call Parkland College at 306.728.6595 or email dollarsforscholars@parklandcollege.sk.ca.

About Parkland College:
Parkland College strives to help students in East Central Saskatchewan achieve their goals and build the foundation for successful careers. Students can choose from a wide array of educational options, including university degrees, skills training diplomas and certificates, trades training, high school upgrading, safety training, and corporate/professional development. Parkland College is a learner-centered organization and is proud to be one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for 2016.

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

Kamsack, SK – Student representatives from across Parkland College met Tuesday in Kamsack for the College’s first ever Student Advisory Leadership Conference (SALC).

The conference brought together Adult Basic Education (ABE) Student Advisory members from the College’s locations in Yorkton, Melville, Fort Qu’Appelle, and Kamsack. About 30 students came out for a day of learning, team building, and brainstorming.

According to Linda Heshka, Coordinator of ABE programs at Parkland College, the SALC is a new effort to engage students and to encourage them to make positive changes to their learning experience.

“Our goal as an ABE team was to invite students to add their voice to the culture and climate of our campuses,” said Heshka. “We believe this initial year was a great start.”

The event builds on the work of student advisory committees among learners in the College’s high school upgrading programs. The central theme for the inaugural conference was Everyday Leadership.

The SALC included guest speaker Scott Musqua, who serves as an Aboriginal Liaison Worker at Sacred Heart High School in Yorkton. In his role, he provides academic support, attendance monitoring, and family and community communications.

Guest speaker Scott Musqua

Musqua’s presentation Tuesday centered on his own upbringing and life experiences and the importance of ordinary people displaying extraordinary leadership, regardless of one’s place in the social or workplace hierarchies.

The event also featured a TED Talk on leadership by Drew Dudley. TED Talks are popular influential videos shared on the Internet that present ideas in 18 minutes or less. TED Talks promote “Ideas Worth Spreading” in fields like science, technology, business, culture, education, and art.

“Drew helps us understand leadership in a more nuanced, practical, and hopeful way. He argues that we too often make leadership into something bigger than us, or beyond us. We make it about money, fame, titles, and influence – something reserved for a select few,” Heshka explained.

“Instead, Drew insists our organizations and communities are stronger when we embrace the idea that there is a form of leadership of which we are all capable, and we know our students will learn from that.”

The day’s events concluded with a brainstorming session during which the students made suggestions to improve the learning environment and remove barriers to education. Common recommendations focused on improving childcare and transportation, and enhancing food and beverage options.

The next SALC will be held in Yorkton when the academic year begins in the fall of 2016.

About Parkland College:
Parkland College strives to help students in East Central Saskatchewan achieve their goals and build the foundation for successful careers. Students can choose from a wide array of educational options, including university degrees, skills training diplomas and certificates, trades training, high school upgrading, safety training, and corporate/professional development. Parkland College is a learner-centered organization and is proud to be one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for 2016.

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

Parkland College is proud to announce that it has awarded $75,600 to 68 students across the region in this spring’s Internal Scholarships.

These awards are in addition to approximately $114,500 in Entrance Scholarships handed out in September. The grand total of over $190,000 awarded in the 2015-16 academic year is just shy of Parkland College’s record amount, set last year. The College has now given out more than $100,000 in scholarships in five consecutive academic years dating back to 2011-12.

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

Eligible post-secondary awards are matched by funds from the Ministry of Advanced Education’s Saskatchewan Innovation and Opportunity Scholarship program. Funds are provided on a dollar-for-dollar matching basis, as available, with local non-government donors.

Students interested in learning more about the scholarships available at Parkland College are encouraged to visit the scholarship section of this website. Entrance Scholarships for students beginning Parkland College programs this fall will be awarded in September 2016. Applications for those awards are being accepted online until May 25.

About Us:
Parkland College strives to help students in East Central Saskatchewan achieve their goals and build the foundation for successful careers. Students can choose from a wide array of educational options, including university degrees, skills training diplomas and certificates, trades training, high school upgrading, safety training, and corporate/professional development. Parkland College is a learner-centered organization and is proud to be one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for 2016.

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For more information contact:
Brendan Wagner
Communications Officer
Parkland College
Phone: 306.728.6595

A group of seniors were all smiles when they received certificates at the conclusion of a computer training course delivered at Parkland College in Yorkton.

Nineteen lifelong learners graduated from their six-week course on Mar. 18. Through a partnership with New Horizons Senior Citizens of Yorkton, the students came to Parkland College’s main campus each Friday to pick up the basics of computers, file management, email, the Internet, and social media, among other topics.

(Left to Right) Back row: Gary Laycock, George Plews, Pat Roming, Glenys Cumming, Marjorie Berting, Gwen Pidperyhora; Middle row: Catherine Degryse (instructor), Dolena Plews, Diane Laycock, Sr. Suzanne Kokuruds, Vicky Babichuk, Eileen Kentz; Front row: Arlene Tangjerd, Thiry McLeod, Peter Legebokoff, Arliss Dellow, Eileen Dellow, Jolyn Loucks. (Absent: Audrey Bodnar, Mildred Puetz.)

Arliss Dellow, one of the graduates, said the group included three couples, one mother/daughter team, a nun, one single man, and nine “available” widows/divorcees. “With the expertise they have gained, those Internet dating sites may become very busy,” he joked.

“Each of us appreciates the effort put in by the College to make this happen, including the surprise graduation day,” Dellow added. “We express our thanks to all involved.”

Jolyn Loucks (second from left) happily accepts her certificate of completion from President Dwayne Reeve (far left) and College staff.

According to New Horizons, this kind of computer training is in high demand. There was a waiting list for this course, and New Horizons says it will look at sponsoring another round of classes for the seniors who missed out this time.

About Parkland College:
Parkland College strives to help students in East Central Saskatchewan achieve their goals and build the foundation for successful careers. Students can choose from a wide array of educational options, including university degrees, skills training diplomas and certificates, trades training, high school upgrading, safety training, and corporate/professional development. Parkland College is a learner-centered organization and is proud to be one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for 2016.

About New Horizons Senior Citizens of Yorkton:
New Horizons is a non-profit, charitable organization open to anyone over the age of 18. Group members over the age of 50 have voting rights and may serve on the Board. New Horizons members are proud supporters of the community and organize activities and social events for seniors of all ages.

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For more information contact:
Brendan Wagner
Communications Officer
Parkland College
Phone: 306.728.6595

Parkland College is now accepting team registrations and corporate partnerships for the 11th annual Dollars for Scholars Golf Classic, scheduled for June 24 at Deer Park Golf Course in Yorkton.

The Dollars for Scholars Golf Classic is Parkland College’s major scholarship fundraising event. All proceeds go the College’s scholarship fund. Last year’s event raised over $25,000 for students enrolled in programs at Parkland College.

“The success of this tournament makes a huge difference to our students,” said Brendan Wagner, chairperson of the Dollars for Scholars planning committee. “Our golfers and sponsors truly make this event. Without their support, we wouldn’t be able to offer nearly as many scholarship opportunities as we do.”

The College also announced that the event will have a new look when golfers tee off on June 24. After rolling out a special 10th anniversary logo last year, the tournament now has a new, modern, permanent set of logos.

The Dollars for Scholars Golf Classic’s new visual identity features a primary crest logo complemented by a package of alternate marks – including a grad cap perched on a golf ball. The set uses a navy blue and gold colour scheme. The new identity will appear on all promotional and advertising tools and event-day materials.

To register a team or become a sponsor for the Dollars for Scholars Golf Classic, call 306.728.6595 or visit the Dollars for Scholars event page for more information.

About Us:
Parkland College strives to help students in East Central Saskatchewan achieve their goals and build the foundation for successful careers. Students can choose from a wide array of educational options, including university degrees, skills training diplomas and certificates, trades training, high school upgrading, safety training, and corporate/professional development. Parkland College is a learner-centered organization and is proud to be one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for 2016.

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For more information contact:
Brendan Wagner
Communications Officer
Parkland College
Phone: 306.728.6595

Parkland College officially opened applications on Mar. 1 for more than $100,000 in Entrance Scholarships. These scholarships will be awarded to new Parkland College students in the fall of 2016.

The 2016 Entrance Scholarship application period runs until May 25. Recipients will be selected in early June, and successful applicants will receive their awards in late September.

“Our Entrance Scholarships go to students who start new programs at Parkland College in the fall,” said scholarship committee chair Brendan Wagner. “Most of these students come to us straight out of high school, but all students beginning a program in the fall of 2016 are eligible to apply.”

Parkland College presents scholarships two times each year – Entrance Scholarships in the fall, and Internal Scholarships (to current students) in the spring. In the 2015-16 academic year, Parkland College will have awarded almost $200,000 in scholarships for the second year in a row.

Included among the 2016 Entrance Scholarships is the fourth installment in a five-year studentship agreement with Yorkton Tribal Council (YTC). Thanks to a large donation from YTC in 2013 and matching funds from the Ministry of Advanced Education, Parkland College is able to offer $80,000 in scholarships this year to students who are registered members of YTC’s six First Nations (Cote, Key, Keeseekoose, Ocean Man, Sakimay, and Kahkewistahaw). Separate applications for these awards are available through Yorkton Tribal Council.

Full details about the College’s scholarships can be found here. Students who will be beginning a program at Parkland College can apply online for a share of the Entrance Scholarships.

About Us:
Parkland College strives to help students in East Central Saskatchewan achieve their goals and build the foundation for successful careers. Students can choose from a wide array of educational options, including university degrees, skills training diplomas and certificates, trades training, high school upgrading, safety training, and corporate/professional development. Parkland College is a learner-centered organization and is proud to be one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for 2016.

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For more information contact:
Brendan Wagner
Communications Officer
Parkland College
Phone: 306.728.6595

Parkland College is pleased to announce the appointment of three new members to its Board of Governors. Don Bahrey, Brian Hicke, and Leonard Keshane have joined the board, effective Feb. 4, 2016.

“It is a pleasure to welcome our new governors to Parkland College,” said President Dwayne Reeve. “We will certainly benefit from the experiences and perspectives they bring to the Board of Governors.”

Don Bahrey, Canora

Don Bahrey, from Canora, worked with Parkland College for eight years as an instructor and program coordinator, retiring in 2013. He hopes to rely on his knowledge as a past employee to help move the College forward.

“It’s going to be a little bit of research, a little bit of reading before I can really say where I can help, but I’m looking forward to it,” Bahrey said.

Brian Hicke, Melville

Brian Hicke is a longtime Melville resident and city councillor. He serves on numerous other boards, committees, and community organizations in the Melville area.

“I hope to bring some experience with our communities and what I feel the communities might need in the way of continuing education,” said Hicke. “The opportunity to learn trades and different kinds of skills locally is a huge benefit to this whole area.”

Leonard Keshane, Yorkton

Leonard Keshane is the former chief of the Keeseekoose First Nation near Kamsack. He has worked closely with the College on several education and training projects at Keeseekoose and through Yorkton Tribal Council.

“I really appreciate what the College can do for First Nations people,” Keshane said. “I also believe it’s good for the board to have that First Nations perspective.”

The Parkland College Board of Governors meets monthly to oversee the College’s operations and provide direction and guidance on institutional decisions. Board members advocate on behalf of the College and support efforts relating to regional economic growth.

Bahrey, Hicke, and Keshane bring the Board of Governors to a full complement of seven members. Sally Bishop of Kamsack is the longest-serving current governor, having joined the board in 2009. Chairperson D. Lydia Cyr of Fort Qu’Appelle has been a member since 2010, while Esterhazy’s David Cisyk and Yorkton’s Raymond Sass joined the board in 2013.

About Us:
Parkland College strives to help students in East Central Saskatchewan achieve their goals and build the foundation for successful careers. Students can choose from a wide array of educational options, including university degrees, skills training diplomas and certificates, trades training, high school upgrading, safety training, and corporate/professional development. Parkland College is a learner-centered organization and is proud to be one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for 2016.

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For more information contact:
Brendan Wagner
Communications Officer
Parkland College
Phone: 306.728.6595

For a small child, a visit to a hospital or a clinic can be a scary experience. In an effort to ease those fears, Parkland College partnered with the Yorkton Nursery School Cooperative (YNSC) on a fun event called the Teddy Bear Clinic.

On Feb. 11 and 12, students enrolled in the University of Saskatchewan Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Parkland College visited the three- and four-year-olds at YNSC. The children brought their favourite teddy bear or stuffed animal to the nursery school, and the nursing students helped the kids through a “hospital” with several different stations. The children were able to listen to their stuffie’s heartbeat, take vitals, use an otoscope to check the toy’s ears and eyes, and even apply dressings to imaginary wounds.

Nursing student Jesslyn Schigol helps a boy use an otoscope to check the ears of his stuffed moose.

“The goal of the Teddy Bear Clinic is to alleviate fears in children when going to the hospital by exposing them to equipment and nursing students in a fun and safe manner,” said Tracy Gabriel, a Registered Nurse and BSN instructor.

Nursing students Emily Ksyniuk and Shelby Hershmiller (right) help a boy assess the health of his stuffed moose.

The benefit also extends to the third-year nursing students. This exercise is part of their pediatrics clinical rotation, in which they have the opportunity to assess children and observe health growth and development.

Nursing students Jessica Funk and Eric McDowell explain the recommended treatment plan for a boy's teddy bear.

In partnership with the U of S College of Nursing and Sunrise Health Region, Parkland College delivers the BSN degree in Yorkton. Students can take all four years of the program through Parkland College. Graduates are eligible to write a licensure exam to become a registered nurse.

About Us:
Parkland College strives to help students in East Central Saskatchewan achieve their goals and build the foundation for successful careers. Students can choose from a wide array of educational options, including university degrees, skills training diplomas and certificates, trades training, high school upgrading, safety training, and corporate/professional development. Parkland College is a learner-centered organization and is proud to be one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for 2016.

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For more information contact:
Brendan Wagner
Communications Officer
Parkland College
Phone: 306.728.6595

Parkland College is proud to be named one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for 2016. Award winners were announced in the Feb. 3 editions of the Regina Leader-Post and Saskatoon StarPhoenix.

Saskatchewan’s Top Employers is an annual competition organized by Mediacorp Canada Inc., which runs Canada’s Top 100 Employers and regional variants. This special designation recognizes the Saskatchewan employers that lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work.

It is the first time Parkland College has been selected for this prestigious honour.

“We are privileged to be included on this year’s list,” said President Dwayne Reeve. “Our employees take pride in their jobs. They are student-focused individuals who know that their work has a strong and positive impact on our students, communities, partners, and the economy.”

Parkland College employs close to 200 people in a variety of roles including classroom instruction, program coordination, facilities management, and College administration. Staff are employed at locations in Yorkton, Melville, Fort Qu’Appelle, Esterhazy, Canora, and Kamsack.

Mediacorp chose Parkland College as a Top Employer for several reasons, including:

• The College supports employees who are new mothers, fathers, or adoptive parents with maternity and parental leave top-up payments (to 95 per cent of salary for up to 17 weeks).
• In addition to the organization’s role as an educator, Parkland College invests in the long-term development of employees with tuition subsidies for courses taken at outside institutions (up to 1.5 per cent of an employee’s annual salary) and subsidies for professional accreditation.
• The College partners with various educational institutions to provide paid and unpaid student placements in various departments, such as finance, IT, human resources, social work, and administration.

Parkland College strives to be an employer of choice by investing in its most valuable resource – its employees. The College offers competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, continual professional development, and a flexible work environment. Employees are also encouraged to maintain a healthy work-like balance and can access professional assistance as needed.

“We recruit exceptional people from diverse backgrounds of culture, education, and experience, and they all contribute to the sustainability and growth of the College,” Reeve added. “Our employees enjoy working in a respectful and professional environment. They have formed a positive culture at Parkland College.”

Saskatchewan’s Top Employers compared the College to other businesses in the province and in the education sector. The selecting editors looked for interesting employers, both large and small, with innovative programs to attract and retain talented employees. Parkland College was one of 30 employers selected. Complete details about this year’s winners can be found here.

Click here for information on the careers available at Parkland College.

About Us:
Parkland College strives to help students in East Central Saskatchewan achieve their goals and build the foundation for successful careers. Students can choose from a wide array of educational options, including university degrees, skills training diplomas and certificates, trades training, high school upgrading, safety training, and corporate/professional development. Parkland College is a learner-centered organization and is proud to be one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for 2016.

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For more information contact:
Brendan Wagner
Communications Officer
Parkland College
Phone: 306.728.6595

Parkland College has been awarded a two-year, $168,000 research grant by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), a federal research funding agency.

The grant comes from the Community and College Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF), a new initiative that enables colleges to work with community organizations to address social issues such as poverty, crime prevention, community safety, and economic development.

Parkland College will partner with Good Spirit School Division and Yorkton Tribal Council schools. Students in the Bachelor of Education and Social Work programs at the College will interact with children in grades 5 to 8 to study bonding and attachment, and to find out what factors help students stay in school as they enter the teenage years.

“We are thrilled to have earned this honour,” said Dr. Gwen Machnee, University and Applied Research Coordinator. “It’s exciting to work with Good Spirit School Division and Yorkton Tribal Council, and we’re looking forward to sharing the results of our research.”

This project is one of 27 being funded by the Government of Canada, which announced nearly $6 million in federal support Thursday. Parkland College is the only applicant organization in Saskatchewan selected for a grant.

In 2014, Parkland College was granted full institutional eligibility with SSHRC, a major accomplishment for the College’s Applied Research area. This eligibility gives the College access to all funding programs open to post-secondary institutions.

The CCSIF, a product of the federal government’s Economic Action Plan 2014, will provide $15 million over three years in support of projects at college and polytechnics that foster social innovation in Canada. SSHRC says social innovation is about finding more effective ways of engaging Canadians, delivering community services, and strengthening communities as a whole through research. It can take the form of a product, process, or program that creates positive social outcomes for communities.

About Us:
Since its inception in 1973, Parkland College has worked to expand the philosophy of life-long learning in East Central Saskatchewan. Among the seven basic principles upon which the community college system was founded is the idea that programs are to be developed in response to the needs of the community. Today, Parkland College offers a broad spectrum of educational services from trades training and high school upgrading to the province’s most diverse off-campus university offerings.

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For more information contact:
Brendan Wagner
Communications Officer
Parkland College
Phone: 306.728.6595

The new calendar proclaims the start of 2016, but Parkland College is already setting its sights on the fall. Planning for the 2016-2017 academic year is well underway to ensure that the College continues to serve students next year and beyond.

One of the key items for Parkland College in the year ahead is the creation of a new organizational strategic plan. The College’s most recent strategic plan covered 2012-2015 and performed well, but President Dwayne Reeve knows it must adapt to meet the ever-changing needs of the region.

“Planning for the future is both an exciting and daunting task,” Reeve said. “While we are never quite sure what the future holds, we are certain that a strong strategic framework will be an invaluable tool to assist Parkland College as we work to serve our students, staff, and communities.”

The College has enlisted the services of Laura Soparlo, a Regina-based consultant, whose work in the education and government sectors is extensive. Soparlo has assisted the College in past strategic planning activities and will facilitate the collection of input through focus groups and online surveys from a variety of groups, including staff, students, and external partners.

The goal is to have the new strategic plan finalized and ready for implementation in the 2016-17 year.

Simultaneously, the College is beginning its annual recruitment drive for next year’s post-secondary programs. Applications are already being accepted for most of the programs beginning in the fall of 2016. With the Trades and Technology Centre in Yorkton well into its first full year of operation, and established locations in Yorkton, Melville, Esterhazy, Fort Qu’Appelle, Canora, and Kamsack, there are more seats to fill and more options available to students close to home.

Parkland College continues to offer a diverse mix of training options. Students can pursue university degrees, skills training certificates and diplomas, and adult education upgrading.

“Many students are drawn to our unique learning environment and smaller class sizes,” Reeve added. “Students can flourish in a friendly and welcoming setting where their teachers know them by name. And our instructors and counsellors are dedicated to their students and have a passion for life-long learning.”

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For more information contact:
Brendan Wagner
Communications Officer
Parkland College
Phone: 306.728.6595

Parkland College is proud to announce it has been selected to partner with Sault College (Ontario) on a new education project in Africa. The colleges will work with a technical institute in Tanzania as part of Colleges and Institutes Canada’s (CICan) Improving Skills Training for Employment Program (ISTEP).

ISTEP is a five-year program funded by the Government of Canada. There are multiple projects involved in building the capacity of technical and vocational institutions in Tanzania. The end goal is to produce 1,200 graduates with the right skill set to find or create employment in Tanzania’s extractive and tourism sectors.

Parkland College’s project will develop a bridging (pre-technology) program at Arusha Technical College in northeastern Tanzania. Students will be able to build skills and climb into higher levels of training. Sault College will lead in technical expertise and curriculum development, while Parkland College will contribute in Essential Skills, student support, marketing, and gender mainstreaming.

“We are proud to work on this important project and improve the lives of many young people in Tanzania,” said Kami DePape, Director of Academics and Student Services at Parkland College. “We are excited to team up with Sault College and look forward to working with our new partners in Arusha.”

An inception mission is scheduled for late January, when a three-year plan for the project will be developed.

This project adds to Parkland College’s growing international résumé. The College is in the midst of a similar two-year partnership with HEART Trust in Jamaica, and also recently worked with the University of Belize Central Farm Campus to develop a degree program aimed at getting more women working in agriculture.

About Us:
Since its inception in 1973, Parkland College has worked to expand the philosophy of life-long learning in East Central Saskatchewan. Among the seven basic principles upon which the community college system was founded is the idea that programs are to be developed in response to the needs of the community. Today, Parkland College offers a broad spectrum of educational services from trades training and high school upgrading to the province’s most diverse off-campus university offerings.

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For more information contact:
Brendan Wagner
Communications Officer
Parkland College
Phone: 306.728.6595

More than 2,000 high school students from the Parkland region attended Career Explorations 2015 at the Gallagher Centre in Yorkton on Friday. The sixth annual education and career fair attracted close to 90 exhibitors from Saskatchewan, Western Canada, and North Dakota.

Career Explorations is the largest education and job fair in East Central Saskatchewan. It is organized by Parkland College, Good Spirit School Division, and Christ the Teacher Catholic Schools.

“The goal of this career fair is to show students all the options available to them once they finish high school,” said Parkland College President Dwayne Reeve. “Some students will want to go directly into post-secondary education or trades apprenticeships, while others may want to find a job right away. We just want them to be aware of their options.”

Career Explorations puts all these options under one roof. Students and visitors have access to information from dozens of educational institutions and numerous businesses, including companies from the mining, agriculture, construction, and government sectors.

“This event is very positive for our students,” said Rhae-Ann Holoien, Director of Education with Good Spirit School Division. “Deciding on a career path or even just what to do after graduation is often difficult and we know a well-rounded experience like this can help them in making those important decisions.”

After much success at last year’s career fair, the Try-a-Trade area in the Nexera Flexihall was brought back. Select local companies and trades organizations set up hands-on booths where students could experience the work that tradespeople do and find out what it takes to start a career in the trades.

“The organizing committee is always looking for ways to improve the experience for students,” said Chad Holinaty, Superintendent of Education with Christ the Teacher Catholic Schools. “A lot of students learn best by doing, and that’s what makes the Try-a-Trade area such a popular feature. It really adds another dimension to our event.”

Career Explorations was born out of a Learning Alliance signed in 2008 between Good Spirit School Division and Parkland College. Christ the Teacher Catholic Schools has expanded its role since joining the organizing committee in 2012.

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Contact information:
Brendan Wagner, Communications Officer
Parkland College
Phone: 306.728.6595

Lynel Martinuk, Communications Coordinator
Good Spirit School Division
Phone: 306.786.5501

During the week of November 16-20, Parkland College joins educational institutions from across Canada and over 100 other countries in celebrating the 12th annual International Education Week (IEW).

IEW honours the many people who participate in international education – supporting foreign students, collaborating with international partners, and building capacity in emerging countries. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Canada’s Engagement with the World.”

Parkland College began welcoming international students to its campuses in East Central Saskatchewan in 2009. In the years since, well over 100 students from India, Jamaica, Nigeria, and numerous other countries have studied at Parkland College. Many of those students have started careers locally.

“The people who come to study here not only get a great classroom education, but they also learn what it means to be Canadian,” said Parkland College President Dwayne Reeve. “Our international students interact daily with fellow learners, instructors, and the community, giving them a very comprehensive experience.”

Parkland College is becoming more involved on the international stage. The College is in the midst of a two-year partnership with HEART Trust in Jamaica to develop essential skills and pre-technology training in key sectors of the Jamaican economy and to prepare students for employment. The College also recently worked with the University of Belize Central Farm Campus to develop a degree program aimed at getting more women working in agriculture. And now, Parkland College and Sault College (Ontario) are bidding to work on a pre-technology partnership with ARUSHA Technical College in Tanzania.

IEW is an opportunity to raise awareness and understanding of international education and its significant benefits to our social, economic, and cultural well-being. It underscores the value that Canadians place on connecting with the world through studying abroad, internationalized curricula, international service, and on opening the world to Canada by welcoming international learners, promoting student exchanges, and encouraging qualified foreign students to make Canada their new home.

About Us:
Since its inception in 1973, Parkland College has worked to expand the philosophy of life-long learning in East Central Saskatchewan. Among the seven basic principles upon which the community college system was founded is the idea that programs are to be developed in response to the needs of the community. Today, Parkland College offers a broad spectrum of educational services from trades training and high school upgrading to the province’s most diverse off-campus university offerings.

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For more information contact:
Brendan Wagner
Communications Officer
Parkland College
Phone: 306.728.6595

Parkland College’s university programs continue to grow as more students seek to take advantage of the benefits of learning close to home.

More than 230 students are taking university classes this fall at the College’s campuses in Yorkton and Fort Qu’Appelle. Over 80 per cent of those students are full-time. And for the second straight year, the College has had to cap the number of students in a course due to classroom availability.

“Our university enrolments are strong thanks in part to our full bachelor’s degrees in Nursing, Education, and Social Work,” said University Coordinator Dr. Gwen Machnee. “But even with the increased enrolment, student success remains our first priority. We have more face-to-face classes than ever before. And our largest class sizes are still only a fraction of the size of the same classes in Saskatoon and Regina.”

The College’s smaller class sizes and easier access to instructors often help students get better grades than they would on campus at university. Many students also find it easier to make the transition from high school to full-fledged university student if they take a year at Parkland College. First-year students take classes in a wide range of subject areas to get a broader understanding of learning at the university level.

“University students study the exact same material at Parkland College as their counterparts do at the U of S or U of R,” Machnee added. “But our unique learning environment can help them better adapt to university life and the expectations that come with the pursuit of a degree.”

Thanks to partnerships with the University of Saskatchewan and University of Regina, students are able to take the first year of almost any undergraduate degree from the two institutions at Parkland College. Currently students can earn full four-year bachelor’s degrees at Parkland College in Nursing (U of S), Social Work (U of R), and Indigenous Education (First Nations University of Canada).

About Us:
Since its inception in 1973, Parkland College has worked to expand the philosophy of life-long learning in East Central Saskatchewan. Among the seven basic principles upon which the community college system was founded is the idea that programs are to be developed in response to the needs of the community. Today, Parkland College offers a broad spectrum of educational services from trades training and high school upgrading to the province’s most diverse off-campus university offerings.

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For more information contact:
Brendan Wagner
Communications Officer
Parkland College
Phone: 306.728.6595

The first round of Parkland College’s international development partnership in Jamaica is underway. The College is working with HEART Trust – the Human Employment and Resource Training Trust, National Training Agency – to create Essential Skills programming to train unemployed Jamaican youth.

Parkland College was selected to partner with HEART Trust last fall as part of a Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) program in the Caribbean. This two-year partnership will develop Essential Skills and pre-technology training in key sectors of the Jamaican economy. It aims to prepare 500 students under the age of 30 for employment.

College representatives travelled to Jamaica in August to conduct workshops and train staff for the start of the Youth Skills Development program. Train-the-trainer sessions were delivered on Essential Skills, counselling techniques, instructional strategies, employability skills, environmental sustainability, and gender equality.

“It’s taken a lot of hard work from many College support staff and trainers to get to this point, but reaching this stage is a great achievement for the College and the students in Jamaica,” said Kami DePape, Director of Academics and Student Services at Parkland College. “We’re honoured to share our expertise with our partners at HEART Trust and provide guidance to help build a successful program.”

The workshops were particularly effective for participants in the train-the-trainer sessions, such as Canute White, Director of Safety and Behavioural Management at Excelsior Community College in Kingston, Jamaica.

“It has provided tools for the betterment of a nation as we carry the knowledge to others in our institutions,” White said. “Parkland College seems to have mastered the art of the craft. I am among those who are now willing and able to not only impart what we have learned but play our part in the field.”

Employers in the Caribbean often have difficulty attracting and retaining skilled, adaptable, and flexible workers, which they attribute to a lack of workforce preparedness, basic skills, and an understanding of expected workplace behaviour. This hinders economic development in the region.

HEART Trust’s mandate is to provide Jamaica with a highly-trained and certified workforce. Projects like this seek to give disadvantaged youth new opportunities for employment.

About Us:
Since its inception in 1973, Parkland College has worked to expand the philosophy of life-long learning in East Central Saskatchewan. Among the seven basic principles upon which the community college system was founded is the idea that programs are to be developed in response to the needs of the community. Today, Parkland College offers a broad spectrum of educational services from trades training and high school upgrading to the province’s most diverse off-campus university offerings.

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For more information contact:
Brendan Wagner
Communications Officer
Parkland College
Phone: 306.728.6595

Parkland College has set another record by awarding $118,673 in Entrance Scholarships to 36 students this fall. The dollar figure is the most money ever handed out by the College in a single scholarship presentation. It breaks the previous high of $110,800 awarded this past March at the Internal Scholarships.

“We’ve been fortunate to have great support from the community and the Ministry of Advanced Education,” said scholarship committee chair Brendan Wagner. “It’s important that our scholarship program keeps growing as we welcome more and more post-secondary students to the College.”

All students receiving Entrance Scholarships are taking university, skills training, or trades programs at Parkland College.

The scholarships are made possible through the generosity of local businesses and organizations, community members, Parkland College staff, the annual Dollars for Scholars Golf Classic, and the Ministry of Advanced Education’s Saskatchewan Innovation & Opportunity Scholarship program.

The Saskatchewan Innovation & Opportunity Scholarship program is a matching program in which funds are provided on a dollar-for-dollar basis with local non-government donors.  For every dollar raised locally, the province will match that dollar to support scholarships as available.

Students interested in learning more about scholarship opportunities at Parkland College are encouraged to stop by one of the five campuses in Canora, Esterhazy, Fort Qu’Appelle, Melville or Yorkton, or visit the Scholarships area of our website to view scholarship opportunities. Internal Scholarships for students already enrolled in Parkland College programs will be awarded in March 2016. Applications for those awards will be available to students beginning in December.

About Us:
Parkland College provides scholarships to local students pursuing post-secondary education. 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. This is the 18th year that Parkland College has offered scholarships to students enrolled in full-time or part-time courses.

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For more information contact:
Brendan Wagner
Scholarship Committee Chairperson
Parkland College
Phone: 306.728.6595

Parkland College is proud to announce the launch of its official mobile app just in time for Welcome Week. The Parkland College App is available now as a free download for iPhone and Android mobile phone users.

“The app gives our students another way to enhance their educational experience and connect with their College,” said President Dwayne Reeve. “It’s designed to help our students keep track of their busy schedules, stay in touch with campus news and events, and access great deals at local businesses.”

Students can create an account on the app to access their courses, receive important alerts, interact with the College on social media, and even chat with friends and classmates directly on the app.

The app was developed in partnership with OOHLALA Mobile. The Montreal-based company specializes in student engagement and has produced mobile apps for numerous post-secondary institutions across North America.

For more about the Parkland College App, please visit parkland.campusapp.com.

About Parkland College:
Since its inception in 1973, Parkland College has worked to expand the philosophy of life-long learning in East Central Saskatchewan. Among the seven basic principles upon which the community college system was founded is the idea that programs are to be developed in response to the needs of the community. Today, Parkland College offers a broad spectrum of educational services from trades training and high school upgrading to the province’s most diverse off-campus university offerings.

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For more information contact:
Brendan Wagner
Communications Officer
Parkland College
Phone: 306.728.6595

The presidents of the First Nations University of Canada and Parkland College signed a partnership Thursday for delivery of a four-year Bachelor of Indigenous Education program at Parkland College’s Yorkton Campus. This delivery is based on the successful partnership started in 2012 at Parkland College’s Fort Qu’Appelle Campus.

“We are delighted to partner once again with Parkland College so that we can help learners pursue their academic dreams without requiring major upheaval from their home community. Delivering  our program in Yorkton and Fort Qu’Appelle along with our other community- based programs means that our students can concentrate on thriving in their studies and not surviving in a new city,” stated Dr. Mark Dockstator, President, First Nations University of Canada. “We are grateful for the support of our federated partner, the University of Regina, and in particular, the Faculty of Education to render this opportunity a reality.”

FNUniv President Mark Dockstator (left) and Parkland College President Dwayne Reeve sign the partnership.

“This expansion brings more access to a complete post-secondary education right here in the Parkland region,” said Parkland College President Dwayne Reeve. “We are happy to build on our partnership with First Nations University of Canada and to make a difference in the lives of learners in the Yorkton area.”

The Bachelor of Indigenous Education program goal is to produce teachers who can promote First Nations control of First Nations education by developing and implementing First Nations’ content. Graduates are prepared to work within the framework of the Saskatchewan Core Curriculum. While the emphasis of the program is on Language Arts, specializations may be pursued in:

• First Nations Language Instructors’ Certificate
• Indian Arts
• Indigenous Languages
• Indigenous Studies

Highlights about the Partnership

• There are 28 students registered for this fall’s program.
• Yorkton is a convenient location for members of numerous First Nations communities in East Central Saskatchewan to attend.
• The program is open to Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.

About FNUniv:
The First Nations University of Canada is a unique Canadian institution that specializes in Indigenous knowledge, providing post-secondary education for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students alike within a culturally supportive environment.  Since 1976 it has been providing a unique opportunity to study in an environment that supports First Nations cultures, languages, and values.

About Parkland College:
Since its inception in 1973, Parkland College has worked to expand the philosophy of life-long learning in East Central Saskatchewan. Among the seven basic principles upon which the community college system was founded is the idea that programs are to be developed in response to the needs of the community. Today, Parkland College offers a broad spectrum of educational services from trades training and high school upgrading to the province’s most diverse off-campus university offerings.

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For more information contact:

Racelle Kooy
Director of Communications
First Nations University of Canada
Mobile: (306) 551-2965

Brendan Wagner
Communications Officer
Parkland College
Office: (306) 728-6595