Education

C M Y K Winnipeg Free press - saturDaY, august 1, 2015 3 It'sTimetoCheckOut RobertsonCollege. AtRobertsonCollege,ourgoalistohelpeachofourstudentsfindsuccess.Thatiswhywetakethetime togettoknoweachofourstudentsandhelpthemfindacareerpaththattheycanbepassionateabout. Call204.926.8380orvisitrobertsoncollege.comtogetstarted! By Holli Moncrieff for the Free Press A new culinary arts program is really heating things up at University College of the North's Thompson campus. "i t's never been offered there before, and it's maxed out. There's a waiting list," says Jim Scott, communications director. "We have increased enrolment in Thompson." UCN has two main campuses — in Thompson and The Pas — which provide programs for adults over 19 who have been out of school for at least six months. The school also has 12 regional centres located across northern Manitoba. Courses are offered based on the needs and wants of each community. With so many mining camps opening up in the region, UCN decided to offer the culinary arts program in Thompson. Students will learn how to run a camp kitchen. "We're offering more programs in our regional communities as well so people are able to attend school in their own communities. They don't have to move," Scott says. "Going by our enrolment numbers, it's obviously working." The Northern Manitoba Mining Academy they've developed in Flin Flon is another example of UCN's customized approach to education. "We have a simulator onsite in Flin Flon that's one of the best in the world to work on," says Scott. "If we can generate the interest we need in order to offer a program, we will make sure we offer it." In St. Theresa Point First Nation, one of the communities where UCN has a regional centre, 23 people got together and approached the school. They had decided they wanted to be teachers. "In our education program, we include special skills that will make our graduates very attractive to schools in northern Manitoba," says Scott. "It's difficult finding teachers who are prepared to stay in the North." Twenty-one of the original 23 students will graduate next spring. "The retention rate has been fabulous. I think it's just incredible," Scott says. "They're pretty excited about their future." UCN offers both day and evening programs to its students. The average age of its students is 32, and the majority are single parents. The school has 40 different areas of study to choose from, which include 10-month certificate programs, two-year diploma programs, and four-year degree programs. "The cost of going to school has gotten fairly high, so we have an active apprenticeship program here. We offer all levels of apprenticeship. It's an opportunity to earn while you learn," says Scott. "We're offering programs that are going to help these people. There are lots of different degrees you can get through our school, and almost all of our programs are offered at each location." Apprentices spend two months in school and 10 months working. The college's Natural Resources Technologist program has also been extremely successful, Scott adds. "It's well known across the country as being one of the best," he says. Due to its high population of indigenous students, UCN is committed to offering culturally relevant programming. "We are of the North, and our student population reflects the population of the North. We offer more aboriginal programs than any other institution," says Scott. "We have a mandatory course about getting to know who your neighbours are in the North. We also have a program for teachers who can speak Cree. We will teach them education methods in Cree." The school places a high priority on personal relationships. Class sizes are kept small, with a ratio of two faculty members to every 18 students. "We're strict about small class sizes, so our students get to know their instructors," Scott says. "There's a lot more one-on-one instruction, and if something is not going right for a student, we can tell pretty quickly so we can get things back on track." Three different councils govern UCN: the Learning Council, the Council of Elders and the Governing Council. "Our school is run on a more personal level. Students are encouraged to meet the people on the Council of Elders. It's a better relationship," says Scott. "Our school is built on relationships." All students have access to a variety of services, including a computer lab open 24-7, academic and personal counselling, a library, student housing, scholarships and bursaries, aboriginal centres and various student activities. For more information about all UCN has to offer, please see their website at www.ucn.ca. ■ Ucn's nUMbers are groWing • In 2011-12, UCN had 1,988 students enrolled (787 at The Pas campus, 508 in Thompson and 693 in their regional centres) • In 2012-13, they had 1,842 students enrolled (789 at The Pas campus, 484 in Thompson and 569 in their regional centres) • In 2013-14, they had 2,167 students enrolled (739 at The Pas campus, 496 in Thompson and 932 in their regional centres) • 82-83% of UCN's student population is aboriginal • Enrolment is expected to increase this year as well GooD thinGs cookinG UP north University college of the north UCN has two main campuses — in Thompson and The Pas — and 12 regional centres located across northern Manitoba. Ucn photos "Our school is run on a more personal level. Students are encouraged to meet the people on the Council of Elders. Our school is built on relationships."

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