Niagara College’s third day of Spring Convocation ceremonies saw nearly 800 graduates from the schools of Allied Health, Justice and Fitness, Technology, and Trades, receive their credentials, officially equipping them with some of today’s most in-demand skills.

The newly minted grads, who celebrated on June 22 – whether in-person or virtually – will embark on careers in fields including healthcare, paramedic and police services, the skilled trades and a range of advanced technologies, representing innovative areas in renewable energies, photonics and more.

Addressing graduates from the schools of Allied Health and Justice and Fitness during the morning ceremony, NC President Sean Kennedy applauded NC’s graduates pursuing careers in helping professions.

“We recognize that our graduands will have vital roles in providing care and protecting their communities,” said President Kennedy. “We take great pride in your critical contributions to your fields.”

The ceremonies – among the first held on campus since 2019 – welcomed more than 390 graduates and 960 guests, who RSVP’d to attend the ceremonies in-person. The livestream, produced by staff and students from NC’s Broadcasting, Radio, Television and Film program, drew over 1,300 grads and their supporters from over 30 countries worldwide.

Presiding over the morning and afternoon ceremonies along with President Kennedy, were Vice-President, Academic, Fiona Allan, NC School of Fitness and Health Professor Jodi Steele (morning ceremony) and Wendy Wing (afternoon ceremony) of the Niagara College Board of Governors, and NC Student Administrative Council President Sam Jemison.

Vice-President Allan acknowledged the unique challenges faced by the Class of 2022.

“Today’s graduands have studied during a time of extraordinary circumstance and change,” said Allan. “While we have been increasing our on-campus activity this year, everyone has needed to adapt to remote learning for at least a portion of their studies. All of you have risen to the challenge and proven your capacity to adapt and succeed in a constantly changing world.”

The theme of adversity was also echoed by guest speaker Jon Montgomery, gold-medal Olympian and host of The Amazing Race Canada, who encouraged graduates to view obstacles in a positive light.

“Stay open to experiences and to new challenges because these are the drivers of personal growth and fulfillment,” said Montgomery, who received an honorary diploma in Fitness and Health Studies from the College. “Adversity is a gift that forces change and your attitude about it will shape how you feel about it all. Open your mind and be open to what’s possible.”

Wednesday’s ceremonies also saw four outstanding graduates receive Dean’s Academic Awards for earning the highest cumulative grade-point average in their academic schools.

Grimsby native Nicole Spadaro, a graduate from the Paramedic program, received the Dean’s Award for the School of Allied Health for earning a 94% average.

“Attending school while in the midst of a pandemic was difficult, but it provided an opportunity to learn more about our healthcare system and tackle problems in the classroom that I may otherwise not have learned about,” said Spadaro.

Since completing her program, Spadaro was offered employment with four different paramedic services. She chose to serve the community in which she grew up, accepting a position with Niagara EMS.

“Graduating is validation that I can do what I set out to do. Not only that, but that I can excel in my field and contribute to society in a way that is tangible and important. To save one person through my career as a paramedic makes every hour of studying worth it.”

From St. Catharines, Brittany Green, a graduate of the Community and Justice Services program, earned the Dean’s Award in the School of Justice and Fitness for achieving a 96% average.

Deven Wolff of St. Catharines rose to the top of his class in the School of Technology, graduating from the Computer Engineering Technician program with a 96.304% average.

Korean native Jihye Lee, who is currently residing in St. Catharines, earned the Dean’s Award in the School of Trades, graduating from the Carpentry and Renovation Technician program with a 95% average.

Niagara College’s Spring 2022 Convocation kicked off on June 20 and will continue on June 23 – with ceremonies at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. – and on June 24 with a final morning ceremony. By the time the College concludes its convocation week, 3,600 new graduates will be welcomed into NC’s alumni family – a community of more than 100,000 alumni making a difference in Ontario, across Canada and around the world.

For full details regarding NC Convocation, or to view the schedule and livestreamed ceremonies, visit NiagaraCollege.ca/convocation.

Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.

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Related Media Releases:

June 21: Grads cap off their academic journeys at second day of Niagara College’s hybrid Spring Convocation
June 20: Niagara College rings in Spring Convocation welcoming grads in-person, virtually
June 20: International student graduates head of the class at Niagara College
June 15: Amazing Race Canada host to address Class of 2022

Media inquiries, please contact:

Julie Greco
Communications Consultant
Cell: 905-328-2532
[email protected]

Michael Wales
Director, Communications
Cell: 905-328-4101
[email protected]

Niagara College rings in Spring Convocation welcoming grads in-person, virtually

The journey to convocation day may not have been an easy one for Niagara College’s Class of 2022 but, as the College kicked off its first day of Spring Convocation on June 20, graduating students were encouraged to view the adversity they faced as an advantage.

“Let’s look at the greatest test that humanity has collectively faced in the last 10,000 to 12,000 years … You all lived through that period and educated yourselves, earned experience, took the necessary steps to securing your futures – and today you received diplomas,” said guest speaker Jon Montgomery, gold-medal Olympian and host of The Amazing Race Canada, as he addressed almost 500 new graduates from NC’s School of Business and Management on the first day of College’s Spring 2022 Convocation ceremonies.

“The generation who experienced a seismic shift in humanity during their most formative years in college – what a gift!”

Jon Montgomery, gold-medal Olympian and host of The Amazing Race Canada, received an Honorary Diploma in Fitness and Health Studies from NC. Montgomery will deliver his convocation address virtually for all eight NC convocation ceremonies during the week of June 20.

Montgomery, who received an Honorary Diploma in Fitness and Health Studies from the College, noted that the graduates are well positioned for the future from the experiences they gained in college during the pandemic. He said that when change happens, growth takes place – a message that proved to be in line with the medium as he delivered his inspirational speech via video.

“The manner in which you received your education and learned to interact and communicate effectively with teams and individuals in the last two years was an absolute game changer,” he said. “You’ve all been given the gift of forced evolution through adaptive change. A new bar has been set and you know this is possible.

“What else is possible?”

June 20 marked the first ceremony held in-person at the Welland Campus since 2019, as well as live-streamed for grads and guests who choose to celebrate virtually. More than 440 graduates and 975 guests RSVP’d to attend the afternoon ceremony in person, while the livestream drew about 580 views live viewers from more than 20 countries.

But this year’s return of in-person ceremonies are far from 2019’s traditional pomp and circumstance. Videos and social media are taking centre stage to help bridge the distance between those celebrating on campus and those viewing the livestream from Niagara, across Canada or around the world.

College President Sean Kennedy encouraged graduating students to embrace lifelong learning to continue realizing their dreams, and to keep engaged, current and motivated to meet new challenges.

“Open your minds and your hearts to new ideas, new cultures, new ways of being and knowing,” said Kennedy. “And when you are moved, impacted, and affected by what you learn, embrace that opportunity to grow and change.

“This is lifelong learning at its core.”

NC President Sean Kennedy addresses graduates and guests on June 20, noting that this was his first opportunity to welcome graduates and guests at an in-person convocation ceremony he became president in early 2020.

For Kennedy, who became president in early 2020, it was the first time he presided over convocation ceremonies with gown-clad graduates crossing the stage and cheering supporters in the audience – in addition to those celebrating “in the moment” via livestream. For the past two years, he and Vice President, Academic, Fiona Allan have conducted all-virtual convocation ceremonies before a crew of staff and students from the College’s Broadcasting – Radio, Television and Film program, who broadcast the ceremonies live from the Welland Campus.

By the time the College concludes its convocation week on June 24 – each ceremony honouring graduating students from different areas of study – NC will gain 3,600 new graduates.  After kicking off convocation with an afternoon ceremony on June 20, ceremonies will be held at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily from June 21 to June 23 and will conclude with a final morning ceremony on June 24.

On June 24, the Governor General’s Academic Medal will be presented to the College’s top student Jonhel Ampil, who travelled from Philippines to study in the College’s Recreation Therapy program. Ampil, who now lives and works in Niagara Falls, completed her studies in Recreation Therapy with a 98.046% average.

Graduates who opt to watch via the virtual livestream may connect to their in-person ceremony by using the hashtag #NCGrad2022 in their social media posts. Public social media posts using the dedicated convocation hashtag appear on screen during in-person ceremonies and are incorporated into ceremony livestreams.

For full details regarding NC Convocation, or to view the schedule and livestreamed ceremonies, visit  NiagaraCollege.ca/convocation.

Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.

Related Media Releases:

June 20:  International student graduates head of the class at Niagara College

June 15: Amazing Race Canada host to address Class of 2022

Media inquiries, please contact:

Julie Greco
Communications Consultant
Cell: 905-328-2532
[email protected]

Michael Wales
Director, Communications
Cell: 905-328-4101
[email protected]

It’s the perfect time to pop the cork in celebration of four new winning wines from the Niagara College Teaching Winery.

The Teaching Winery stole the spotlight at the All Canadian Wine Championships (ACWC) with the honour of Best Sparkling Wine of the Year, among its four significant awards across a broad range of styles and categories, including two double golds and two bronze medals.

“Student learning shines at the NC Teaching Winery when our products achieve outstanding national success,” said Steve Gill, General Manager of the College’s Learning Enterprises. “This is not only a big win for our winemakers, faculty, staff and students at the Teaching Winery, but for the future of wine industry as we continue to raise the bar for high-quality wine education.”

Balance Brut (NV) bubbled to the top of the list with a prestigious Best Sparkling Wine of the Year title and trophy along with a double gold medal in the Sparkling Wine Traditional Method category.

For Head Winemaker and Instructor Gavin Robertson, the wine is one of his favourites currently on the shelf and he was happy to see that his palate aligned with the judges.

“Traditional method Sparkling wine is a really technical and involved style of wine to produce,” said Robertson. “Because it takes so long to arrive at a final product, several cohorts of our students get to participate in the production of a single wine.”

A graduate of NC’s Winery and Viticulture Technician program (2011) and a Nuffield Canada scholar, Robertson takes pride in the fact that the wine production involved several different groups of students. This year’s winning Balance Brut, for example, is a blend of 2014 and 2015 fruit, handpicked and pressed by students who began the program in September of those years. Different groups of students were involved in subsequent years – from stabilization, filtration and bottling in 2016 to the dosage trials in 2020 and more.

“The wine represents collaboration and hard work from the program as a whole in all its diversity throughout these years,” he said.

While the Teaching Winery earned the same honour at the 2020 ACWC for its 2014 Blanc de Blanc Balance Brut, and has won previous awards for its Sparkling wines, this was an inaugural win for its non-vintage Balance Brut.

It’s also a first for its 2020 Balance Dry Riesling which captured the top of its class, winning the double gold ‘best of category’ (Riesling Dry).

“The double gold for the Dry Riesling is satisfying because it’s such a classic and ubiquitous Ontario grape,” he said. “We make this wine using really simple techniques: gentle pressing, retaining light juice lees and fermenting with cool temperatures, and we’re super careful with oxygen management throughout the process, doing everything we can to carry a pure fruit and mineral expression of the grape from vineyard to bottle.”

2019 Dean’s List Botrytis Affected Chardonnay was another newcomer to the winner’s circle, with a bronze (Late Harvests category). The sweet wine is made from Chardonnay grapes that were exposed to the botrytis fungus, known as “noble rot” in the fall. Instead of developing into a rot known for destroying a harvest, Robertson noted that this form of botrytis slowly desiccates the fruit, elevates sugar levels and produces a unique, honey and fruit compote, and curry spice flavours.

The wine was hand-picked, hand-sorted then de-stemmed and macerated on skins for 24 hours before pressing. It was aged in a single new French oak barrel for two years before bottling.

“It’s a very special small batch wine,” he said. “It’s still quite young with tons of concentration and complexity and will improve in bottle for years to come.”

Adding another bronze to the Teaching Winery’s wins – and another first timer – was the 2019 Deans List Savant Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine (Red Icewines category). The wine comes from the 2019 Icewine harvest, picked by the College’s wine students at a College-operated vineyard on Concession 5 in Niagara-on-the-Lake, then pressed in a student winemaking lab.

“It’s a combination of different student batch treatments conducted in our winemaking courses then blended to achieve a balanced and aromatic profile and palate,” he said.

ACWC Director Bev Carnahan noted that 1,233 wines from across Canada were entered into this year’s edition of the competition, which was established in 1981 and holds the distinction of the oldest wine judging dedicated to excellence in Canadian wines.

“With such a broad field, competition is always tight and this only serves to underscore the significance of NC Teaching Winery’s performance as the only teaching winery entered,” said Carnahan. “However, this success comes as no surprise. NC Teaching Winery has annually been a top competitor in the event, and we are excited to see the excellence of the program proved once against the top wines produced in Canada.”

The Teaching Winery was among 194 wineries from across Canada that participated in this year’s ACWC. For details visit allcanadianwinechampionships.com.

Wines from the NC Teaching Winery are available for purchase at the Wine Visitor + Education Centre (Niagara College Daniel J. Patterson Campus, 135 Taylor Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake), or online at NiagaraCollegewine.ca. Proceeds from sales support student learning.

Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.

TOP PHOTO: Gavin Robertson raises a glass to the NC Teaching Winery’s 2022 All Canadian Wine Championships wins while holding a bottle of the competition’s Best Sparkling Wine of the Year: Balance Brut (NV). More medal-winning wines are displayed on a barrel near the campus vineyard, including 2020 Balance Dry Riesling (Double Gold Best of Category), 2019 Deans List Botrytis Affected Chardonnay (bronze) and 2019 Deans List Savant Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine (bronze).

Media inquiries, please contact:

Julie Greco

Corporate Communications Consultant

Cell: 905-328-2532

[email protected]

A Niagara College Public Relations student is generating a buzz in the industry as the recipient of a prestigious professional award.

The Canadian Public Relations Society – Hamilton chapter recently presented its Student Award of Excellence to Sophia Cole. The St. Catharines resident, who is originally from Huntsville, has recently completed her studies in the one-year graduate certificate program and will cross the stage at the College’s Spring Convocation ceremonies later this month.

“To even be nominated for this award was such an honour, so to actually win blew me away,” said Cole. “Receiving recognition of any kind is amazing, but to receive this kind of professional recognition early on in my career is so impactful.”

News of the student award was applauded throughout the College’s School of Media, augmented by the fact this was the fourth consecutive year that a Public Relations student from NC has won this award.

“We are tremendously proud of Sophia’s outstanding achievement as well as the continued success of our Public Relations program as our students are awarded for excellence,” said Vincent Van Schaik, Dean, School of Media, Trades and Technology. “This important industry recognition is a testament to the outstanding applied education our students receive during their time with us, thanks to the expertise and support of our dedicated faculty and staff.”

Cole was nominated for the award by Emily McInerney, Public Relations Program Professor and Coordinator. McInerney noted that Cole immediately demonstrated a strong commitment to the program when she began in September 2021. In addition to being a top student across her first and second term classes, she was a peer tutor for an Advanced Writing course at NC, and was involved with a CPRS Hamilton mentorship initiative.

“It is such an honour to have a Niagara College Public Relations student once again win this prestigious award. Sophia is so deserving as she entered the program with a solid work ethic, a keen desire to learn and a positive attitude,” said McInerney. “She also served as a peer tutor supporting her classmates and jumped at every (virtual) opportunity presented to network and challenge herself.”

Cole enrolled in NC’s Public Relations program to further her interest in the field while she was in university completing her Bachelor of Arts program at university.

“I had always been interested in PR but I didn’t feel that my undergraduate degree had really prepared me to enter the workforce,” she said.

While she was skeptical about online learning when she first began her studies at the College, the program exceeded her expectations in the end, thanks to support from her instructors and peers.

“It was definitely the most challenging academic experience I have ever been through, but also the most rewarding,” she said. “I left the program feeling confident and prepared to enter the workforce for the first time ever.”

Cole has begun to apply her skills with an agency at Enterprise Canada and looks forward to continued learning and growing in her career.

“I’m incredibly grateful,” she said. “It [the award] has given me the confidence to advocate for myself and know my worth professionally.”

CPRS Hamilton presented Cole with her Student Award of Excellence during its 2022 Awards Celebration held on May 31. The award is granted annually to a student from a full-time PR program who has demonstrated: a clear understanding and application of the principles of public relations theory, professionalism and leadership in personal and scholastic activities, a commitment to the future of the profession, and the ability to make contributions to the status and acceptance of the profession.

“Sophia embodies many of our CPRS Hamilton values including relationships, lifelong learning, and professional integrity,” said Linneah Tovstiga, CPRS Hamilton Secretary and Mentorship Co-Chair.

“As a participant in our mentorship program, Sophia modeled leadership and professionalism through her PR insights, the support she gave her program peers and her ability to form working relationships with members of the CPRS community.

“Together with Sophia’s academic achievements, she was a clear choice as this year’s Student Award of Excellence recipient.”

Previous NC wins

Cole’s win follows the footsteps of several Niagara College Public Relations graduates in recent years.

• In 2021, Nicolas Mertens won the national CPRS Cision Student Award of Excellence (view 2021 release here).
• In 2021, Nicholas Mertens and Rita Stranges (Niagara Falls), won the CPRS Hamilton Student Award of Excellence and Heather J. Pullen Memorial Award, respectively (view 2021 release here).
• In 2020, Ashlan MacDonald, won the CPRS 2020 Hamilton Student Award of Excellence (view 2020 release here).
• In 2019, Shianne Stephens and Katie McCabe won the CPRS 2019 Hamilton Student Award of Excellence (view 2019 release here).

Niagara College’s Public Relations program is a one-year graduate certificate. For information visit niagaracollege.ca/media/program/public-relations/.

For information about the CPRS Hamilton Special Awards visit cprshamilton.ca/special-awards.

Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.

Media inquiries, please contact:

Julie Greco

Corporate Communications Consultant

Cell: 905-328-2532

[email protected]

With barely enough time to catch their breath and revel in their wins at the Skills Ontario competition in April, two Niagara College students found themselves back on the winner’s podium at the Skills Canada National Competition in Vancouver, May 25 to 28.

Matt Mackie (Grimsby), who will graduate from the Game Development program later this month, won a silver in the 3D digital Game Art competition, while Welding Technician student Jake Boekestryn (Niagara-on-the-Lake) won bronze in the welding competition.

The Skills Canada National Competition (NSNC) is the only national, multi-trade and technology competition for students and apprentices in the country. This year, 350 students and apprentices from across Canada competed for the title of national champion in more than 45 skill areas. Each qualified for SCNC after winning gold in their province or territory.

Both Mackie and Boekestyn competed in WorldSkills Team Canada Selection Category, giving them an opportunity to earn a spot at the 2022 WorldSkills Competition.

“For our students to put their skills to the test alongside the top students in Canada and be ranked in the top three speaks volumes,” said Vincent Van Schaik, dean of the School of Media, Trades and Technology. “Seeing our students shine on the national stage is something we’re very proud of. Their exemplary achievements show Canada that NC students are receiving the best education from faculty and staff who are committed to seeing them succeed.”

Silver: 3D Digital Game Art

It was literally a race to the finish for Mackie, who was tasked with 3D modeling, texturing, and animating a tortoise and modeling and texturing a chariot for a fictitious racing game.

“In the design brief, they went into detail about the backstory [and] why you were making these things,” Mackie said. “So [it’s as if] you’re handed a document from someone in a studio [and told this is] your task to complete. They gave us a fake game idea: These chariots are being piloted by these tortoises and you had to tie the two together.”

What he did over the course of two nine-hour days would normally take a week to do if he had the time, Mackie said. “[There] was a lot to be focused on [and] gauging what you still had left,” he said. “I was making lists to make sure I was constantly taking into consideration what I had left to do and just prioritizing things properly.”

“I can’t say enough about how proud I am of Matt’s accomplishment,” says Charles Kopun, associate dean of Media. “He showed incredible poise in dealing with every challenge he was presented with competing for the first time at the national level.”

Heading into the competition with a first-place win at Skills Ontario under his belt, Mackie said it felt surreal to have reached the national competition level.

“Before that Skills Ontario competition, I had never competed before; it wasn’t something I was used to even being in competition for,” he said. “I didn’t even have time to register that [Skills Ontario] win; I was thinking about how this competition was going to go and how there’s so many more people I’m going to be competing against this time.”

Game Development professor Conor MacNeill said it was inspiring to watch not just Niagara College’s competitors, but everyone who was there.

“Everybody was just so dialed in and so good at their craft,” he said. “Matt’s competition was super impressive. I think the game art booth may have been one of the most focused in the whole convention centre.

“For me, it definitely left the feeling that Canada as a whole is in really good shape with the next generation coming up.”

Mackie said MacNeill and his colleague, Kevin Gordon, were instrumental in preparing him for the competition–including last-minute strategizing when a glitch delayed the delivery of the design brief until the day before the competition was to begin.

“They were prepping me for any situation that I was going to be thrown into…[and] what kind of animations that I could manage to fit into anything that [I’d be] making,” he said. “There was a bit of a hiccup involving the design brief, so I wasn’t able to [see] the design brief until the day before the competition. Conor was a super huge help for that. We were at the hotel, basically talking strategy the whole night.”

MacNeill said Mackie took the unexpected complication in stride.

“Sometimes in life the experience or the journey trumps the reward and the results,” he said. “I think this was one of those cases. I couldn’t be prouder of how Matt handled everything.”

Bronze: Welding

Jake Boekestyn, right, who is graduating from the Welding Technician program this spring, won bronze at the Skills Canada National Competition. (Photo courtesy of Skills/Compétences Canada)

For Boekestyn, who describes himself as “pretty competitive by nature,” the three days he spent demonstrating his welding skills were ones he won’t forget.

“I loved every minute of it,” he said. “It was amazing. I’d go back in a second if I could.”
Competing against other welders—some of whom were third-year apprentices—Boekestyn knew the competition would be stiff and the days would be long, but he was eager to represent Niagara College at a national level.

“I was so excited to be able to travel and to compete for the school and myself,” he said. “It was such an amazing opportunity. I was so happy to just be able to go and compete and I knew it was going to be a really difficult competition.”

On Day 1, Boekestyn was required to weld small plates together, which were later X-ray tested and bend tested to gauge the quality of the weld in the joint. The following day, he was tasked with reading a set of blueprints and making a pressure vessel using plates. The pieces were then pressure tested, first using water pressure and then applying up to 1,000 psi of pressure.

On the final day of the competition, Boekestyn’s tig welding abilities were tested when he had to work with aluminum and stainless pieces.

Jeff Murrell, associate dean in the School of Trades, said facing off against more experienced welders–and finishing in the top three–is a testament to Boekestyn’s dedication to the trade and the “high quality of the educational experiences all our students receive in the welding program in the School of Trades.

“Typically, the trades sector of the Skills Competition for post-secondary institutions includes students who are in their third year of apprenticeship training; this means that Jake competed against competitors who actually weld for a living and have several years of welding experience behind them,” Murrell said.

“This bronze medal he achieved going up against professional welders speaks to the quality of student Jake is and the dedication and commitment to the program by not just Jake, but his support team in the faculty and staff in the weld shop: Vic Barker, Brendan Ryan and Bob Lukas. Very proud is an understatement.”

The Skills Canada National Competition is the only national multi-trade and technology event of its kind for young students and apprentices in the country. It’s intended to engage Canadian youth and promote careers in the skilled trades and technologies.

“Events like the Skills Canada National Competition encourage Canadian youth to explore and discover skilled trade and technology careers,” said Shaun Thorson, Chief Executive Officer, Skills/Compétences Canada. “We are proud of the accomplishments of this year‘s competitors.”

Competitors are evaluated based on strict industry standards and medals are awarded to the top three in six skilled trade and technology sectors, including: transportation, construction, manufacturing and engineering, information technology, services and employment.

Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.

TOP PHOTO: Matt Mackie, left, who is graduating from Niagara College’s Game Development program this spring, placed second in the 3D Digital Game Competition at the Skills Canada National Competition in Vancouver. (Photo courtesy of Skills/Compétences Canada)

Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.

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Media inquiries, please contact:

Julie Greco
Communications Consultant
905-328-2532
[email protected]

Jessica Torok
Communications Consultant
519-809-7634
[email protected]