NLC hosted a special Grad Transitions event on Sept. 25 at the Chetwynd and District Recreation Centre for Chetwynd students interested in pursuing local options in post-secondary education and training. Grad Transitions is designed to give students information about the various programs and careers that they can pursue at NLC.
Ty Proulx was one of the students who attended, along with his mother Laurie. They wanted to learn more about NLC’s Cook Training program offered at the Dawson Creek Campus.
“I’ve always loved cooking. I have done it for many years,” said Proulx. “I want to one day own my own restaurant… maybe in Paris or New York.”
Cordell Edwards, Ty Proulx and Laurie Proulx
The event featured guest speaker Sacha Wilke, an archeologist who works for Landsong Heritage Consulting at Moberly Lake. She reminded the students about the importance of getting an education.
Keynote speaker, archeologist Sacha Wilke
“Education provides you with skills that you can cross-reference elsewhere in your life. It is something that everybody should have and it is one of the best ways to get the future you want,” said Wilke. “Work will comprise 90 per cent of your life. You want to enjoy what you are doing. Choose something you enjoy as a career and you will be incredibly happy.”
Attendees also had the opportunity to attend program and financial aid information sessions hosted by: Dr. Steve Roe, Dean of Academic and Professional Programs; Rene Tremblay, Dean of Trades and Apprenticeship; and Donna Merry, Campus Administrator for the Chetwynd and Tumbler Ridge campuses and Kathy Hecker, Financial Aid Officer for the Chetwynd Campus.
Principal Chris Mason was one of several staff members from CSS who attended. Mason said he was pleased with the event as some students were unaware of what NLC had to offer when it came to post-secondary schooling.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for students to realize what the local college has to offer. When we had this event two years ago, we found it very informative,” said Mason. “Our students and parents loved it… They left the evening extremely contented and armed with tons of information.”
Both Roe and Tremblay were pleased with the turnout of students to the event.
Dean of Trades and Apprenticeship Rene Tremblay during his presentation
“It was wonderful to see keen interest in academic programs, which are so important to building healthy, well-rounded communities,” Roe said.
“The Trades presentation was interactive and students were excited to learn about the demand for trained tradespeople in and around their community and the career opportunities NLC can assist them in obtaining,” Tremblay said.
For more information on programs or courses offered at NLC, go to the website at nlc.bc.ca, or contact the Student Recruitment department at 1-866-463-6652, or call your local campus.