Durham College’s Whitby campus open house gave the public a chance to see an array of new things, as well as a chance to see Bistro ’67. The restaurant is a unique part of the campus that sells food made with ingredients grown on campus.
The Whitby campus is also home to Durham College’s skilled trade programs, such as welding and plumbing. As well as programs in the culinary, hospitality, tourism, horticulture and agriculture fields.
A variety of new things were shown at the open house, including two kit cars in the automotive program.
Pam Stoneham, the associate dean for the school of Skilled Trades, Apprenticeships and Renewable Technology, says students have worked on the cars for two years and now people got the chance to see them.
“One is a restoration of a Jeep,” Stoneham said. “The other is a sports type kit car and students that are coming in fall 2017 will be working on a different kit car.”
The open house also gave the opportunity for potential students to gain information on a new program to be offered in fall 2017. The Mechanical Technician – Elevating devices program teaches students how to work with various lift device such as elevators. According to Stoneham, Durham College is the only post-secondary institution in Ontario to offer this program.
“We are the training provider for the apprenticeship,” she said. “We have the lab equipment and physical shop space that would help teach students who have no experience in elevating to get a handle on it.”
Stoneham said employers will look at graduates of the program as employees they might hire as apprentices and for their service departments.
Now why should students choose Durham College over any other post-secondary school in Ontario? Stoneham believes it’s the connection between faculty and students that sets Durham College apart.
“We are very responsive,” she said. “Our mission is that the student experience comes first and right from our open house. I think that shows right through the whole academic process where we connect with our students.”
As for those attending the open house, many enjoyed the opportunity to get an inside look at their program of choice. Grade 11 student Jacob Otto said the open house to be “amazing” and aims to enroll in the Building Construction Technician program.
“It gives me a diploma and I will be able to work and find a job,” he said.
Otto says the college is appealing because of its proximity to home. He also found the school to be inviting.
“I just went over to the shop and it was great,” he said.
