Loyalist College kicks off Fall 2025 by introducing four new programs

Belleville, ON, Sept. 9, 2025 – As its hallways and classrooms fill with students returning for the Fall 2025 semester, Loyalist College is proud to mark the start of the academic year with the launch of four new programs. This October, applications will open for Mental Health and Addictions Worker, Addictions and Mental Health, Community Pharmacy Assistant and Renewable Energy Systems.  

The new programs are part of the college’s broader strategy to ensure its long-term sustainability while supporting workforce development and meeting community needs. Building on the recent launch of Pharmacy Technician and Acupuncture programs, President and CEO Mark Kirkpatrick underscores that these additions align with Loyalist’s growing offerings in allied and mental health care and open pathways for students to build careers in high-demand fields. 

“To help address the strain on Ontario’s health care system, it is essential that we have skilled professionals to provide therapeutic and rehabilitative services,” says President Kirkpatrick. “At the same time, Ontario’s shift toward renewable energy is creating significant opportunities for trained technicians and specialists. These new programs will prepare graduates for careers that support Ontario’s future well-being and prosperity.” 

Mental Health and Addictions Worker 
This two-year Ontario College Diploma program equips students with the knowledge and skills to support individuals, families and communities impacted by addictions and mental health challenges. Grounded in evidence-based practices, the program coursework integrates advocacy, harm reduction, counselling, crisis intervention, recovery planning and trauma-informed approaches, including Indigenous perspectives. A comprehensive field placement experience prepares graduates to deliver person-centered care within interdisciplinary teams and to pursue careers across health care and social services environments. 

Addictions and Mental Health 
This one-year Ontario College Graduate Certificate is designed for individuals working in health care or social services, as well as recent graduates who want to further their education with specialization prior to embarking on their career. The program takes an interdisciplinary, best-practice approach to prevention, assessment, treatment and recovery, with specialized content in advanced counselling, homelessness, and program planning related to addiction and mental health. Students learn through simulation, applied learning and placement opportunities, preparing them for diverse roles in community mental health and addiction services.  

With the recent approval of the Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub in Belleville, Loyalist’s Mental Health and Addictions Worker and Addictions and Mental Health programs align with regional efforts to expand access to essential mental health and addictions care, preparing graduates to work with local community organizations to deliver vital services. 

Community Pharmacy Assistant  
This one-year Ontario College Certificate combines classroom learning, interactive labs and community placements to prepare students for roles that support licensed pharmacists in community and retail settings. Students gain foundational knowledge in dispensing, packaging, and labelling prescriptions, managing inventory, compounding non-sterile products and using pharmacy software. 

Renewable Energy Systems 
This one-year Ontario College Graduate Certificate program prepares students for careers as technicians in Ontario’s fast-growing clean energy sector. Through hands-on training in solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, wind energy systems, bioenergy and energy storage technologies, students gain experience installing, operating and maintaining renewable energy systems. The program introduces students to key concepts in energy systems integration, preparing learners to conduct site assessments and apply sustainability principles to energy products. As the province advances both renewable energy and new nuclear development, graduates will be equipped to support a diverse, sustainable energy future across Ontario. 

About Loyalist College 
Loyalist College is built upon the lands governed by the Dish with One Spoon wampum agreement. We affirm and thank the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabeg and Huron-Wendat nations for their continued caretaking of the land. At Loyalist, we empower our students with wraparound support services and hands-on training to succeed on any path they choose. Our academic programs are responsive and innovative, designed to solve pressing social and economic challenges and meet the evolving needs of our regional industry and community partners. Our graduates enter the workforce equipped with the knowledge they need to be better global citizens, and with future-focused skills to lead change in their fields. With a presence in Belleville, Bancroft, Port Hope, Tyendinaga and Toronto, we believe our institutional responsibility extends beyond the classroom to seeing the big picture for the communities we serve. Our expertise in applied research and deep connections to local industry support economic development, to the benefit of businesses, entrepreneurs, changemakers and innovators. Our commitment to decolonization, and the pursuit of a more inclusive, equitable world, means we hold ourselves accountable to the diverse perspectives, cultures and experiences that shape our communities. 

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Contact: 
Hannah Brown 
Director of Marketing and Communications 
hbrown@loyalistcollege.com