From The Observer www.theobserver.ca
Lambton College has rolled out the welcome mat for international students.
The number of foreign students at Lambton jumped 270% this year to 400, largely from India, China and Nigeria.
The college is embracing the increase and, with a $100,000 donation from the Royal Bank, opened a new International Employment Training Centre on Thursday.
The office is designed to help students find part-time co-op opportunities and offer immigration advice and cultural and job search training.
It’s geared to students in business management, information technology, and health and technology programs to help them settle in and find suitable employment in Canada.
College president Tony Hanlon said the investment will help Lambton attract more international students and ease a looming labour shortage as baby boomers retire.
“We know that Canada has a serious work force shortage coming. It’s hard to get your head around that right now because we’re still moving out of a recession … but we don’t have enough people coming forward. We know that from our demographic studies,” he said.
A recent study by Lambton County planners estimated Sarnia-Lambton’s population could shrink by 17,000 people, or 13%, over the next 20 years.
“We want to see Sarnia stay strong and we believe the college is a vibrant and an important part of it,” said Michael Caverly, regional vice president with RBC.
The $100,000 donation will help strengthen the community and the work force through diversity, he said.
The money will also support sustainability workshops — held at the Lambton Inn and Bluewater Sustainability Centre — and improve the college’s First Nations’ Student Centre.
“They’ll be some enhancements to the area,” Hanlon said. “The addition of tutoring services and additional software programs that help with remediation programs, that kind of thing.”
The college has about 130 First Nations students, he said, although the number could be higher because First Nations students have the option to self-identify.
Hanlon said he hopes the influx of international students will make the entire 3,200-student college more culturally aware and foster friendships that could lead to business partnerships.
The money brings Lambton’s Inspiring the Future Fundraising Campaign to $3.8 million. Hanlon said the college hopes to reach the $5 million goal by the summer.
tkula@theobserver.ca
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