College cannabis consortium adds two new members

EDMONTON – A first-of-a-kind post-secondary sector cannabis partnership welcomes two additional Ontario post-secondaries to its ranks. Ottawa’s La Cité and Belleville’s Loyalist College join five other Canadian post-secondaries in this pan-Canadian organization working to secure funding and support for research, expand educational offerings, and increase industry partnerships.

Loyalist College and La Cité join NorQuest, Niagara, Durham, and Okanagan colleges, and Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB) as members.

Each college participating in the consortium has cannabis-related programming, industry partnerships, and advisory committees to identify need and professionalize the training and education available to employers and learners.

The consortium works together to:

• co-develop courses, curricula, credentials and badging,
• share and co-produce market intelligence
• apply for research funding
• assist in creating industry partnerships,
• launch externally-funded projects, and
• develop other partnerships that support the aims of the consortium

Members expect that the consortium will continue to grow in size as more colleges enter the world of cannabis programming.

Quotes:

“When we envisioned this partnership back in 2019, we hoped that what we had developed would only be the start of something great for the cannabis industry,” said Michele Braun, Director of Continuing Education and Partner Solutions at NorQuest College. “We’ve seen incredible growth in the industry and corresponding demand for skilled graduates ready to contribute. This consortium continues to be a great example of how post-secondary institutions from across Canada can join forces and work hand-in-hand with industry to drive economic growth.”

“We are thrilled to be partnering with other Canadian postsecondary institutions as we continue building capacity and supporting growth in this exciting new industry,” said Jeremy Laurin, Senior Vice-President, External Relations & Business Development at Loyalist College. “In 2017, Loyalist College was the first Canadian college and academic institution in Ontario to receive approval from Health Canada to conduct cannabis research. Since then, we have been working closely with our local industry partners to develop programs which prepare career-ready graduates to make an immediate and meaningful impact in the industry.”

“By joining the Consortium, Collège La Cité gains access to a wealth of collaborations,” stated Lise Bourgeois, President and CEO of La Cité. “This partnership allows the College to better understand industry needs, take part in research projects, develop collaborative training and share best practices. The students in our Agricultural Techniques – Cannabis Production program are sure to gain a lot from these opportunities.”

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Kerry Lorimer
Director, Marketing, Communications and Recruitment
Loyalist College
klorimer@loyalistcollege.com
613-969-1913, ext. 2536

About Loyalist College: Ranked one of Canada’s top 50 research colleges and #1  in the country for industry research income as a percentage of total research income, 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. Of 2017-18 Loyalist graduates, 88.5 percent were employed within six months after graduation. 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 3.7 percent of the Gross Regional Product, representing $382 million annually to the regional economy – based on a March 2020 report by Emsi. For more information on Loyalist College’s Belleville, Bancroft and Toronto campuses and Port Hope satellite location, visit YoureGoingPlaces.com.

Mike Reeves
Media Relations Consultant
NorQuest College
780-288-3651
Mike.Reeves@NorQuest.ca

About NorQuest College: NorQuest College is Edmonton’s community college serving over 19,000 students annually throughout the province with full-time, part-time, online, and face-to-face learning options. NorQuest helps learners with diverse educational backgrounds complete or further their studies through foundational programs. Our post-secondary diploma and certificate programs and continuing education options offer rewarding career paths in health, community studies, business, environment, technology, hospitality, firefighting, and diversity and inclusion training. Our suite of customized and corporate training options ensures organizations and their workforces are prepared for the demands of the future. By collaborating with business, industry, government, and communities, we ensure our learners receive workforce relevant, inclusive, and transformative educational experiences.

Pascale Montminy
Director, Communications, Public and Government Relations
Collège La Cité
613-316-1377
PMontm@lacitec.on.ca

About La Cité: As the largest French-language College of Applied Arts and Technology in Ontario and outside of Quebec, La Cité puts the success of its students first and foremost, offering them more than 140 programs in facilities with leading-edge technology and a learning environment focused on practical, modern, forward-looking experiential learning practices. In addition to having its main campus in Ottawa, La Cité also has a Skilled Trades Institute in Orléans, a satellite campus in Hawkesbury and in Toronto.