Holland College is joining forces with a group of colleges, institutions, polytechnics and CEGEPs from across Canada to educate a post-pandemic workforce to support a new climate-focussed economic recovery.

The group of eight climate-action leading institutions from all regions of the country have launched an initiative called Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery. The group will champion projects across Canada to support a recovery that delivers good jobs, is positive for the environment, and addresses socio-economic inequality.

“Holland College is joining leading institutions across the country in an effort to prepare for a brighter future, aligning ourselves to educate the next generation of workers for the climate-resilient jobs of the future,” said Dr. Alexander (Sandy) MacDonald, President of Holland College. “We are aligned in our belief that colleges are ideally prepared to support a resilient economic recovery in Canada. We are assembling our collective resources to meet the workforce needs of Canada’s climate-minded recovery as soon as it begins.”

The group formed to take meaningful action as a direct response to the five bold moves and 22 recommendations of the Task Force for a Resilient Recovery, which recommended a $55.4 billion strategy for a green recovery in Canada that will support long-term jobs and economic growth and keep Canada competitive in the quickly-evolving global marketplace.

“In its final report, the Task Force for a Resilient Recovery emphasized the importance of training and education for building a long-term economic recovery from COVID-19,” said Richard Florizone, President and CEO of the International Institute for Sustainable Development, and Chair of the Task Force for a Resilient Recovery. “Without a skilled Canadian workforce, the jobs of the clean economy will go to other countries. Through programs like Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery, we can make sure that it’s Canadians who benefit from the jobs and growth of a cleaner, more resilient economy.”

Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery can help the Canadian economy recover by:

· rapidly training workers to meet skills gaps for a climate resilient economy;

· reviving and developing Canadian businesses through applied research solutions; and

· serving as demonstration sites, living labs, for climate change solutions.

Each institution has committed to the following goals:

· Rapidly implement and scale new curriculum and research initiatives to support a resilient recovery.

· Foster resilient recovery projects that support the recommendations of the Task Force for a Resilient Recovery.

· Serve as role models for the transition to a low-carbon, resilient and circular economy through campus practices, student engagement and community engagement.

· Support provincial/territorial college-level responses to the resilient recovery.

· Continue to support truth and reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples, and champion Indigenous leadership in the resilient recovery.

Supporting its commitment to student engagement, Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery has partnered with Student Energy, a global youth-led organization, empowering young people to accelerate the sustainable energy transition. Through Student Energy’s involvement, students will offer feedback and advice to help shape the initiatives of the college partners.

“Young people across the country are eager to participate in the transition to a low carbon, resilient, and equitable economy, and it is more important than ever that they are supported with the skills, knowledge, and networks they need to take part in the climate-resilient workforce,” said Student Energy Executive Director Meredith Adler. “Student Energy is excited to join forces with the Canadian Colleges for Resilient Recovery to provide tangible delivery skills training and opportunities for young people studying at colleges across Canada to be part of leading the sustainable energy transition.”

Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery will meet quarterly (online) for an initial two years, providing a forum for colleges to share transferable and scalable recovery solutions from institutions across Canada. It will host a national webinar series, showcasing faculty and researchers from each member college.

Initially, Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery will be chaired by Mohawk College President Ron McKerlie and the Centre for Climate Change Management at Mohawk College will act as the coalition’s administrative support. The group has retained internationally recognized sustainability researcher and advocate David Wheeler to advise the coalition.

The initial group of colleges in Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery include:

· British Columbia Institute of Technology

· Okanagan College

· Yukon University

· Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

· Mohawk College

· Seneca College

· Nova Scotia Community College

· Holland College

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About Holland College

Holland College offers more than 65 credentials in a wide variety of areas including culinary, policing, marine training, applied sciences and engineering technology, trades and industrial technology, health and community services, communications and media studies, computer studies, business studies, sport and leisure studies, performing arts, and tourism in 13 campuses and centres across the province.

The college’s main campus is the Prince of Wales Campus, located in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. The Prince of Wales Campus is home to the Charlottetown Centre, the Centre for Community Engagement, the School of Performing Arts, the Florence Simmons Performance Hall, and the Centre for Applied Science and Technology (CAST). There are two apartment-style residences serving the PWC campus.

The college also offers programs in the Tourism and Culinary Centre on the Charlottetown Waterfront, and in Georgetown, Summerside, and O’Leary. The Tourism and Culinary Centre is home of The Culinary Institute of Canada and programs related to marketing, tourism and travel. The college’s Welding and Plumbing/Pipefitting programs are located in the Georgetown Centre. The majority of the college’s trades and industrial technology programs and the Marine Training Centre are located at the Summerside Waterfront Campus. The Atlantic Police Academy, located in Slemon Park, Summerside, offers programs in firefighting, conservation enforcement, corrections, police science, and sheriff and public safety. The West Prince Campus, located in Alberton, offers various programs depending on local demand from industry and the community.