Loyalist College partners with Base31

Belleville, ON, April 6, 2023 – Loyalist College and Base31 have joined forces to create up to 30 new summer jobs in the Bay of Quinte region, offering competitive wages, affordable housing and educational opportunities in the culinary, hospitality and tourism industries.

Located on a former WWII airbase in Prince Edward County, the Base31 revitalization effort advances economic opportunities through new infrastructure, shared community and commercial amenities in tandem with educational programming and partnerships to drive economic growth for the County.

As part of a newly developed pilot program under the existing Memorandum of Understanding, Loyalist College and Base31 will develop industry-aligned micro-credentials that build on regional strengths in culinary arts, hospitality and tourism. Base31 summer employees can apply their professional experience to earn a Loyalist micro-credential free of charge, enhancing their skill development and career opportunities while they work.

Loyalist will also support participants by providing housing in the townhouse residences at the College’s Belleville campus.

“Loyalist College is proud to partner with the innovative minds at Base31 to help remove barriers to entering the workforce in Prince Edward County,” said Jeremy Laurin, Loyalist College Senior Vice President, External Relations and Business Development. “We look forward to watching this future-focused initiative grow and expand to include more businesses in the surrounding region.”

Summer positions at Base31 will run from May to September and support multiple operations, including Visitor Services, Programming and Event Services, Food and Beverage Operations and Gardening. Compensation will be $22 per hour for up to 37.5 hours per week.

“We are looking forward to an exciting summer at Base31 as the revitalization continues with an awesome range of concerts, events, art, site tours, food and drink,” said Tim Jones, CEO of Base31. “We hope that our partnership with Loyalist College creates jobs people are proud to be in and forges new paths to make life easier for people in the service industry.”

Interested applicants should send their résumé and cover letter to jointheteam@base31.ca with the subject line, “Loyalist + Base31 Summer Jobs.”

About Loyalist College
Loyalist College is located on the territory of the Huron-Wendat, the Anishnaabeg, and the Haudenosaunee people. We acknowledge our shared obligation to respect, honour, and sustain these lands and the natural resources contained within. Ranked one of Canada’s top 50 research colleges, Loyalist College empowers students, faculty, staff, and partners through experiential, industry cluster-based education, training and applied research programs. As Ontario’s Destination College, the College provides job-ready graduates for, and knowledge transfer to, industry and the community. Located on more than 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, the College is perfectly positioned between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. Loyalist College offers more than 70 full-time diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs in biosciences, building sciences, business, community service, health and wellness, media studies, public safety, and skilled trades. Continuing education options are available through LoyalistFocus.com, including hundreds of online, distance and in-class courses, and through the College’s 100+ university transfer agreements. Loyalist College is a key driver of social and economic health in eastern Ontario. It contributes 3.8 percent of the Gross Regional Product, representing $398.9 million annually to the regional economy – based on a November 2022 report by Emsi. For more information on Loyalist College’s Belleville, Bancroft and Toronto campuses and Port Hope satellite location, visit loyalistcollege.com.

About Base31
Base31 is an evolving visitor destination on the site of a 70-acre WWII air training base in Picton, Ontario. Operated as a military base until 1969, the site transitioned into a business park and airport and was purchased by PEC Community Partners in December of 2021. The new ownership group has embarked on an ambitious revitalization program that includes the adaptive re-use of many of the heritage buildings, transformation of the landscape and significant investment in placemaking, public art, programming, site activation and food & beverage. Base31 is home to more than 70 tenants including galleries, retailers, makers, artists, landscapers, services and trades. More than 100 local collaborators have joined forces on the revitalization of Base31. In 2023, visitors to Base31 will be able to attend an exhibition or concert, embark on a tour or curated experience, experience public art installations, enjoy multiple food and beverage options, rent a bike or wander the grounds.

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Contact: 
Hannah Brown
Acting Director of Marketing and Communications
613-921-0784
hbrown@loyalistcollege.com