TIMMINS, ON: As Northern College wraps up the 2018 academic year, it is celebrating the success of its Integrated Emergency Services Complex’s first year of classes.

A commemorative plaque was unveiled to thank those responsible for the design, construction and program development that has allowed the new facility to meet its goal of becoming a unique teaching and training tool in the province.

“We have been told that any emergency services agency would be proud to have a facility of this quality to train in and we have it right here in Timmins,” said Northern College Board of Governors Chair George Pirie. “This facility will be full of students and a fair component of those will be international students who will come here to be trained in world class facilities by world class instructors.”

Pirie went on to state that investments in training and education like this, will further cement healthy, stable economic diversity into the northern Ontario economy.

The unveiling of this plaque commemorates the completion of a 13-year journey for Northern College, and the realization of its commitment to excellence in education. Providing students with the latest in experiential, hands on learning to produce unparalleled graduates and working professionals.

“It took vision, it took aspiration and it took belief and commitment from a lot of people to keep this idea alive,” said Northern College President & CEO Fred Gibbons. “Now we have this wonderful building that has grown beyond our expectations.”

The idea was carried through the tenure of several board of governors members, an example of what Gibbons calls a dedicated focus on student centered learning – A focus that is already being felt by those students and the faculty who instruct them.

“Each program has their own designated classrooms, labs and garages where our amazing faculty have the physical space and resources at their disposal to elevate student experiential learning to a whole new level,” stated Professor Mary Lindsay. “The state of the art equipment has improved student motivation and provides them with new avenues for learning and solidifying their skills. Students from the three different programs cross paths on a daily basis and it fosters a more unified and respectful interdisciplinary atmosphere.”

As Northern College approaches its second academic year utilizing the new facility, the larger potential of this state of the art teaching tool is becoming clearer.

“The development of the Integrated Emergency Services Complex is the pinnacle of incorporating the concept of experiential learning into emergency services post-secondary learning,” stated Northern College’s Dean of Health Sciences and Emergency Services Sarah Campbell. “It is the first academic facility in Canada to house working Emergency Services professionals alongside the students that are hoping to fill those roles in the future. The IESC makes Northern College a centre of excellence in Emergency Services Training – both on a national and international level.”

-30-

Media Contact:
Kyle Gennings
Marketing and Communications Officer
T. 705-235-3211 ext. 2276
F. 705-235-6888
C. 705-288-1101