There’s that certain something in the air you feel every year during the first week of September. Crisp cool mornings with scorching afternoons and sunsets that start to come earlier every evening.
It’s back to school time.
Our good friend Jodi Bucholtz, Acting Manager of Community and Student Affairs at Algonquin College dropped by the station recently to talk about this special time of year.
Jodi points out that every year, students from right across the country choose Algonquin College bringing hundreds of new faces to Pembroke and many of The Valley municipalities.
About half of new incoming first-year students hail from communities across the Ottawa Valley and the Pontiac, choosing to remain close to home while supporting the growth of their region. At the same time, the campus welcomes learners from across the country, including British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and the Yukon.
Jodi notes that while Canadians are flocking to the College in droves about 15% of the new student population hail from countries right across the globe:
I asked Bucholtz what specific programs the majority of out of town kids are coming to study and her answer really reflected the diversity of programs the College offers:
With the influx of new learners every year comes the inevitable challenge of housing which Bucholtz says does not pose an issue thus far as she says there is room for all this new school year:
While programs are filling up right across the board it’s the healthcare programs that are the biggest draw and continue to attract hundreds of students every year with a long standing collaboration coming to an end:
Drawing students into skilled trade instruction is still a challenge for The College but more and more students are becoming aware of the high need for such skills and that hefty pay cheques can also follow suit. Bucholtz says that the College is keenly aware of this trend and is working towards expanding their offerings as demand remains:
Jodi gives us one last piece of advice as we head into the 2025 back to school season:
Best of luck to all of the new and returning students this year and to the teachers and staff that make it all happen.
(Written By: Richard Evans)