Student and Employer Supports

Table 8. University Programming

University 2022-23

Battlefords Campus – Pre-Nursing Both Campus – Bachelor of Social Work Year 1 College Total 2022-23 Business Plan 2021-22

Program Projected Enrolment Classes FCE Registrations FLE

6 3 120 12 10 5 300 30

16 8 420 42 15 9.5 288 28.8

Student and Employer Supports

North West College helps to support a strong economy by investing in students and supporting their success, not only in programs of study, but also in long-term labour market attachment. NWC has an innovative workforce engagement strategy to ensure students build skills that employers are seeking, obtain practical workplace experience, make sound career choices and connect to employment. Our Student Services teams play a vital role in attracting, retaining, and graduating students and connecting them to the labour force.

The College is revitalizing the workforce engagement strategy in light of the impacts of the pandemic. In addition to experiential learning in the classroom and formal work placements, the College commits to support the development of workplace essential skills in all programs including use of technology and digitization. As well, the College will ensure all students have a formalized career plan and the opportunity to develop their resume/e-portfolio, practice interviewing skills, learn job search skills, write strong cover letters and have connectivity to hiring employers. The College will invest in graduates beyond the end date of their program and support early leavers from programs with transition to the workplace. Many of the NWC students have minimal experience in the work world and our goal is to not only build technical skills but to prepare our students with soft skills and confidence.

North West College invests in students and in reducing barriers to their success. The pandemic accentuated many of the issues our students face and reduced the opportunity to build strong supporting relationships. The College has always taken a holistic approach to student support however in 2022-23, NWC will be focusing our efforts on Healthy Campus North West College. The College will begin to implement the National Standard of Canada Mental Health and Wellbeing for post-secondary students. The College will collaborate with Healthy Campus Saskatchewan and develop a framework that works for the students of North West College. The focus is building on the success of the College’s BE WELL initiative. This comprehensive investment will result in redefining the supports and how they are offered, ensuring training of personnel, revising policies and practices and working even more closely with community agencies to support our students. In addition, the College is investing in a 24 support line for students called I.M. Well. The students and their family members will be able to anonymously access supports from their phone or computer on a variety of issues from financial to mental health. This service also connects the student to local supports if needed. NWC has a comprehensive strategy in place to invest in our students and facilitate their success.

NWC is committed to being student-centric, inclusive, harm reducing, community building and health promoting.

The College will continue the partnership with the U of R nursing students on community practicum at NWC. The focus will be healthy mind, body and life. The program will build student capacity, promote healthy safer lifestyles and have a positive impact beyond the College community. These initiatives will create strategies of promotion, prevention and intervention and ultimately create an inclusive environment that promotes and supports the health and well-being of all students.

The College will revitalize many of the student engagement and student life events and activities that were not available due to the pandemic. Gathering students for lunch and learns that support barrier reduction but also citizenship development. Student life events that help to create a sense of community will return. Staff and student engagement at events assists in developing trusting relationships. Student engagement supports personal growth and development of our students and creates a sense of pride and giving back.

The College accessed a federal grant in 2019/20 to support students with Truth and Reconciliation. Unfortunately, during the pandemic, this project could not be undertaken and the hope is the College will be able to extend the funds to March of 2023. This initiative supports 20 youth students to become certified in the KAIROS blanket exercise along with other teachings so they are prepared to offer this service in their communities. It is a great program to build understanding and capacity. Elder engagement at our main campuses will be re-introduced post pandemic as well. The College is proud of our multicultural region and provide many opportunities to explore and celebrate diversity. Going global, considering the world view and being inclusive in all that we do becomes even more important as we begin our journey of international education. The College holistic multifaceted supports were extended in a blended fashion during the pandemic and the College shall continue with the best practices in the coming years. The College provides many academic supports. All students can access supports for math, essay writing, study skills, reading for content and exam taking strategies. The College also has educational technologies support for students. The College will develop supports to academic issues that arise as well. The College invests in specific supports for students with disabilities. This past year was the lowest overall full time student count but the highest number of students accessing the disabilities grant. A trained professional develops a support program with the student based on their disability and engages all staff who work with that student to understand the strategies and interventions required. The student takes ownership of the learning strategies to support them as a student but also as they move into the labor force.

The student services team will need to adjust many of the processes and supports provided in the past for students on provincial training allowance. A learning curve exists to better understand the new incentive administered through the Ministry of Social Services and for NWC a significant number of students will no longer be eligible for the incentive and will need to seek support from their Bands. The work has begun and will continue through the upcoming months so the NWC team can best support students in this crucial transition.

North West College residence in Meadow Lake is a great opportunity to address affordable safe housing options for students. The pandemic drastically affected the residence operations however; in the fall of 2022 the College will return to pre-pandemic rental assignments in order to maximize the use of the units. The College will also be able to bring back the use of residence assistants to support with lock outs and good residence ambassadorship. The residence inspection process should also be able to return to pre-pandemic state. The College will continue to use the support of private security at the residence. The staff is looking forward to hosting student events again including those at the residence to create a sense of community.

Through Student Services teams, NWC invests in our students so they can be successful in their programs of studies, their life, and in their future careers. NWC contributes significantly to our region by providing an accessible, well-prepared workforce responsive to the needs of local, regional and provincial employers.

The new strategic plan accentuates the College’s commitment to support employer needs and strengthen partnerships. In 2022-23, the College will implement a new survey for employers that will assess their satisfaction with College programs, preparedness of students they have hired and College services employers’ support. This comprehensive survey will provide valuable feedback for continuous improvement and ensure the College aligns with the priorities of our employers. For NWC the partnerships with First Nations and their Tribal councils are extremely important. The ability to go into the reserve communities was hampered during the pandemic and it is imperative the staff at the College renew and rebuild some of these relationships. Strong partnerships impact student and community success and are vital to the College.