Durham College seeing more than five-per cent increase in application numbers for Fall 2009
July 23, 2009
More than 250 students to kick-start new careers through Second Career program
OSHAWA, ON. - With the first day of the 2009-2010 academic year just over a month away, Durham College announced today that it is seeing a 5.28-per cent increase in the number of students applying to the college for post-secondary education this September. Total applications were at 17,080 as of July 17, compared to 16,224 at the same time last year.
The preliminary figures, compiled by the college's Admissions and Recruitment department, also show a 4.86-per cent increase in the number of students confirming Durham College as their first-choice.
"These most recent figures continue to confirm what thousands of students already know - that Durham College is a great place to complete their college education and prepare them for their future careers," said Don Lovisa, president. "This increase in the number of students applying to Durham College as well as the number of students who have already committed to studying with us this September is a direct reflection of our strong program mix, the importance of a college education to enter or re-enter the workforce and the college's commitment to providing a first-class educational experience."
In addition to strong overall numbers, the college reported impressive growth in the number of Second Career applicants. The college has received 256 confirmations for September for the provincial government program that enables laid-off Ontarians to train for new jobs in various sectors including skilled trades, emergency services and business, compared to the 24 confirmations that were received at the same time last year.
Program-specific increases were seen college-wide with some of the biggest numbers coming from the School of Applied Sciences, Apprenticeship, Skilled Trades & Technology. Applications soared for the Mechanical Engineering Technician (43.27 per cent), Water Quality Technician (48.08 per cent) and Power Engineering Technician (58.79 per cent) programs. In addition, first-time applicants to the new Renewable Energy Technician and Energy Audit Techniques programs were also high, with 265 and 95 respectively.
The School of Justice & Emergency Services saw impressive gains in the Court and Tribunal Agent program, which more than doubled its application totals, rising from 40 to 94, and applications were also up for the Advanced Law Enforcement and Investigations (35.48 per cent), Court Support Services (36.56 per cent) and Youth Corrections and Interventions (43.93 per cent) programs.
The School of Health & Community Services saw a rise in the number of applications to the Addictions and Mental Health (28.74 per cent) and Personal Support Worker programs (42.61 per cent), while the School of Career Development & Continuing Education's Office Administration program saw a 30.74-per cent increase in applicants compared to last July.
Overall enrolment is expected to rise to approximately 6,600 students, in addition to an estimated 1,600 apprenticeship students, for the 2009-2010 academic year. Applications are still being accepted for some fall-start programs, including General Arts and Science and business and skilled trades programs.
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About Durham College
At Durham College, the student experience comes first, an approach it has taken for more than 40 years. Through a vast range of market-driven programs that are taught by exceptional professors with real-world experience, students develop the skills required to meet the ever-changing needs of employers and the job market. Moving forward, Durham College's expansion plans will see its Whitby campus grow by 40,000 square feet including the construction of an energy-neutral living laboratory for new technologies and education that will serve the growing needs of the emerging energy sector. The expansion will also provide new opportunities for skilled trades training, an area vitally important to Ontario's ability to grow and prosper in the years ahead. Durham College has more than 6,300 full-time students, thousands of part-time students and more than 1,400 apprentices. For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.
Media contact:
Michelle Roebuck
Communications and Marketing
Durham College
905.721.2000 ext. 2197
michelle.roebuck@durhamcollege.ca
Disclaimer: The contact information provided in archived news releases was current at the release date. For current information please contact Communications, Marketing and External Relations.
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