Northlands College is taking a number of steps in 2023 to boost enrollment. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

northern education

Northlands College launches Year of Transformation after 57 per cent enrolment decline

Jan 5, 2023 | 4:59 PM

Northlands College is launching the 2023 Year of Transformation by rolling out a new organizational structure grounded in learning and access.

According to media release issued Thursday, the new organizational structure is informed by recommendations from the college’s Fall 2022 operational review. The review was completed by an external consultancy and highlighted the college’s 57 per cent decline in enrolment since 2011, along with significant issues pertaining to stakeholder engagement, human resources, college processes, strategy, and infrastructure planning.

In the fall of 2022, the review and its six-point action plan were completed with full implementation approval from the college’s board of directors.

“Our goal is to complete full adoption of the action plan during 2023, which will be a year of transformation for Northlands College” Karsten Henriksen, the college’s president and CEO, said.

The release notes planning for the new organizational structure of the college is rooted in a whole-of-the-North approach. The college has recognized the growing demands for health and wellness education in northern Saskatchewan and, as a result, is also announcing the creation of the director, health and wellness portfolio, which will lead programs in nursing and dental therapy, while working to introduce new programming in addictions recovery and healing, early childhood education and long-term care.

health care

RBC Foundation gifts $7,500 to assist in training La Ronge nurses

21h ago

town council

Strong opposition for downtown homeless shelter ahead of Tuesday public hearing

Apr 22, 2024

long-term care

La Ronge housing shortage discussed at SUMA convention

Apr 18, 2024

The college will also move leadership of trades and technology, including the college’s mine school, under the portfolio of director, trades and technology. In addition to growing access to mine training, the portfolio will also lead planning for environmental management programming.

“The college is also pleased to announce that we are basing the director, trades and technology position at the college’s Buffalo Narrows campus,” Henriksen said.

In recognition of changes to learning styles and the need for flexibility in learning, the college is also creating the portfolio of director, flexible learning. The position will lead the development and implementation of a new adult basic education model grounded in the principles of adult education and labour market pathways, while celebrating Indigenous knowledge.

The director of flexible learning will also lead the launch of the Northlands College Learning Hub, which will be the home of the Centre for Northern Post-Secondary Teaching and Innovation, and Capable North which will develop and deliver work-integrated learning, industry co-branded certificates and micro-credentials, general interest programming, as well as host summer camps in science, technology, engineering and math.

Northlands College will also transition its university studies to the portfolio of the director, university studies with the goal of increasing access to business, social work, and information studies. The university studies portfolio will lead the college’s engagement with University of the Arctic.

–

derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno