D. PROGRAM PLAN
The NWC’s multi-year program plan outlines initiatives to meet the diverse needs of the region and the provincial economy. This plan was challenging to develop given the province continues to be impacted by the pandemic. There continues to be significant external influence on program design, delivery, student participation and success as well as revenues/expenses incurred. The College reviewed several sources of data to determine the impact of Covid-19 on the economy in the short and medium term to predict labour market needs. The College also consulted with business and industry, Indigenous organizations, students and communities across the region as well as provincial sector organizations. Success measures such as enrolment, retention, graduation and employment in previous program years were also used to help inform this program plan. NWC delivers quality programs investing in students and employers. In 2022-23, the method of delivery will return face-to-face. The program plan demonstrates accessibility – proposing programming in seventeen communities; responsiveness – meeting the needs of local, regional and provincial workforce and accountability – through our evidence-based method of program selection. Our program plan maximizes government and partner resources to meet our economic challenges and contribute to a strong rural Saskatchewan. The programs planned for 2022 through 2025 demonstrate accountability by maximizing the resources provided by the Ministry of Advanced Education and the Ministry of Immigration & Career Training with due regard to the workforce needs of the region and the province. NWC continues its investment in innovation and diversified program delivery. As illustrated in this plan, students can access a variety of quality programs at NWC that have demonstrated to lead to learner success, long-term attachment to the labour market and career achievement. NWC invests in indigenous students and their communities as a majority of the College student base is indigenous. The fact that many of these students live in their home reserve community adds risk to the program plan, student forecasts and student success. Transportation has always been a significant barrier as is access to reliable childcare, however during the pandemic the lack of access to affordable stable internet became strikingly apparent. To assist with public safety, many First Nations communities within our region continue to be under lock down which impacts students’ ability to apply to programs and/or actively participate in programming. First Nation student participation in Adult Basic Education programming may be further affected by the new student training allowance administered by the Ministry of Social Services. This change in public policy results in all students living on-reserve needing to be supported by their First Nation/Tribal Council. The overall level of support for students may be impacted as well. The College will need to monitor the impact of this public policy change very closely. Salary and benefit costs are the primary fixed expense of program delivery. The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) expires on August 31, 2022. NWC has made reasonable assumptions based on historical factors; however even the slightest change could have significant consequences to the program plans. In the pages to follow, there is an overview of programs and services to be delivered in 2022 through 2025. Appendices B and C provide a detailed breakdown of programs forecasted to be delivered for all three years – 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 – for ABE/Essential Skills and Institute Credit programming. These strategies are based on current labour market needs however staying true to our mandate of flexible and responsive programming and operating in pandemic recovery; the plan may shift to accommodate potential opportunities as they present. Appendix D details plans for English as an Additional Language for 2022-23. The mandatory chart is included below.
NORTH WEST COLLEGE
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MULTI YEAR BUSINESS PLAN 2022-2025
