The Southeast College is a flexible institution offering post-secondary learning opportunities for those wishing to set out on a direct path to a career in a number of trades and professions. That diversity and growth was outlined to about 40 members of the Estevan Chamber of Commerce who gathered in the college’s Estevan campus auditorium for a noon-hour luncheon on June 8. The occasion also marked the 112th anniversary of the chamber, said their executive director, Jackie Wall who thanked the college for its co-sponsorship of the event along with Southern Plains Co-op who catered the birthday party.
Jeff Richards, vice-president of strategic development for the college, spoke briefly to the gathering, focusing on the various programs and courses the college’s six campuses offer at any given time. He said the Level 2 electrical program on the Estevan campus was a prime example of the college responding to the needs of industry in the region.
“The lab is brand new and industry players advised us on what to bring in and what to offer for this apprenticeship course. The first program was most successful and we’ll be offering another one this fall.”
Six students from the college are also involved in a hands-on road-building experience with the extension of the King Street road in Estevan, learning how to operate heavy equipment with trainers on the job site.
SaskTel has also partnered with the Southeast College for an introductory course into standard telecommunication wiring, another area of expertise that is desired by the provincial Crown corporation.
“They identified the need and the college stepped up with a two-week course,” said Richards, outlining how the flexibility factor serves the college and community.
“Power engineering is another profession in demand, especially around here. The fourth-class power engineering course will be offered again in the fall and those classes are always full. We have now added a third-class power engineering course as an introductory course that leads to that fourth-class training,” said Richards.
“We are also proud to announce that university classes will be returning to the Southeast College campuses this fall with four classes offered this coming September and a fifth being offered in January of 2017. That can help local students who want to take first-year university classes and still live at home. They can save some money and still get the university education,” said Richards. The classes offer a more intimate experience between students and educators since the class sizes will be smaller than those offered on a university campus.
“We have to keep looking inward at all programs. We are always re-evaluating our programs due to the current economic environment and industry situations,” Richards explained, citing the college as a useful tool to save money while getting employees certified in various trades.
“Our education foundation is a huge factor offering up to hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships to participants, matched by the Saskatchewan Opportunity Scholarship Program. That money goes straight to the student,” Richards said.
A golf tournament slated for TS&M Woodlawn Golf course was used as an example of one major fundraising tool used to keep the foundation afloat. Similar tournaments were scheduled for Weyburn and Moosomin this year. This year the Estevan tournament featured the partnership of the agriculture giant Viterra that teamed up with the college for a mechanics program, while other companies such as Enbridge Pipelines, with a major field office in Estevan, keep the scholarship funds flowing for the training of personnel who can be used in their industry. There are funding and career connections going on all the time, Richards said.
“We are always learning, and, at the college we are learning what we can do more of or what we may want to do less of as we move along,” Richards told his audience.
The college spokesman was thanked by Wall, not only for the information, but also, for the sponsorship and for serving as host for the season-ending barbecue.
