Yukon College - StudyCo Education Consultants & Student ... · Victoria, they’re going to be able to stay here and go to school here. We’re not going to lose our kids anymore.

2 Yukon College Strategic DirectionS 2008-2013

Yukon College is a leader in education, rooted in our diverse cultures and northern environment, where everyone is inspired to dream, learn and achieve.

IntroductionWhere We’ve Come From

Yukon College was born in 1983 out of the Yukon Vocational and Technical Training Centre, which had provided vocational opportunities to Yukoners since the 1960s. The Yukon College Act of 1988 made the College an independent, publicly-funded institution.

That same year, the Whitehorse campus moved from the banks of the Yukon River to its present location on the Takhini Bluffs. Elder Angela Sydney gave the campus its name in a potlatch celebration. Ayamdigut, meaning “she got up and went” in Tlingit, refers to an event in the lives of her father’s people when a Killer Whale clan house was moved from the riverbank to higher ground.

Yukon College now offers a broad range of university transferable, vocational, trades, and developmental programming. Through a network of community campuses connected by videoconferencing, programming is made available across the territory. A partnership with the University of Regina allows for local completion of Bachelors degrees in education and social work.

Yukon College prospers from its excellent and dedicated faculty and staff. The community campus and distributed learning network, small class size, student services and affordable tuition make the College widely accessible. The College has strong connections to the community, and boasts well-developed linkages with other post-secondary institutions in Canada and around the circumpolar North.

To grow, Yukon College must overcome the weaknesses that limit its progress. Public perception of the institution suffers from underdeveloped marketing and recruitment strategies. Our connections to the community can be strengthened through renewed partnerships, commitment, and communication. Yukoners are demanding increased programming at community campuses to enhance capacity in First Nation governments and other workplaces. Demand is increasing for programming in trades, university-level courses, continuing education, and health-related areas. Yukon College must also address its human resource and funding challenges, while building a healthy climate of high morale and shared commitment.

“the way auntie angela described ayamdagoot, ...the name she gave to Yukon college, was that the old vocational school got up and moved to the top of hill … there is also a bigger meaning to that name … one would like to look at the ayamdagoot campus in Whitehorse as a building or structure that is moving and that its participants and student body will become educated and move to advance the Yukon community. education is the key to advancement and development of its peoples. this should be the main objective of ayamdagoot campus.”

Chief Mark Wedge, Carcross-Tagish First Nation

“the reason i sang this song [the Story of Kaax’achgóok] is because that Yukon college is going to be like a Sun for those students. instead of going to Vancouver, or Victoria, they’re going to be able to stay here and go to school here. We’re not going to lose our kids anymore. it’s going to be just like the Sun for them!”

Mrs Angela Sydney, in her address at the official opening of Yukon College, October 1, 1988

“”

Yukon College Strategic DirectionS 2008-2013 3

“growth – the college needs to grow. change – the college needs to change.”

Whitehorse Employer Priorities, Report on Stakeholder Consultation

“Yukon college needs to be visionary, a leader and a risk taker. … Yukon college needs to be responsive to Yukoners.”

Whitehorse Public Priorities, Report on Stakeholder Consultation

“this code of ethics has been developed in collaboration between Yukon college and the Yukon college employees Union (Public Service alliance of canada) and embodies an underlying belief that each member of the college community has a right to dignity and respect.”

Yukon College Code of Ethics

Looking Forward

The next five years, from 2008 to 2013, will be a time of opportunity and change for Yukon College, as it seeks to fulfill its commitment to meet the needs of Yukoners in a changing economic and demographic landscape.

Yukon College undertook a comprehensive consultation process in the fall of 2007. We talked with students, businesses and other employers, senior citizens, the President’s Advisory Committee on First Nation Initiatives, Yukon College faculty and staff, and members of the public in Whitehorse and in several communities – all in all, 191 people from sixteen key stakeholder groups who took part in a total of 23 focus group sessions. An additional fourteen people took part as session facilitators. Augmenting the focus groups was an online survey, to which 122 people responded.

Their input forms the basis of Yukon College’s Strategic Directions and Goals.

Our PurposeThe objects of Yukon College, as laid out in the Yukon College Act, “… are to provide educational programs, services and activities to meet the needs of people in the Yukon.”

Our ValuesYukon College’s Code of Ethics is built on eleven principles:

respect and dignity;honouring diversity;active engagement;non-violent conflict resolution;openness;honesty;privacy;collegiality;integrity;excellence; and honour and trust.

>>>>>>>>>>>

“”


“compared with other college students in canada, those at Yukon college had taken more indirect paths from high school to college. they were less likely to have been enrolled in high school during the year before beginning their college studies, were more likely to have been working full-time, and were also more likely to have had previous post-secondary education.”

Environmental Scan 2007

“89% of Yukon employees work in service-producing industries, including the 32% who are employed in public administration.”


“the Yukon lost residents to out migration during the period from 1997 to 2005, though net migration into the territory was positive from 2003 to 2005. the largest number of people lost to out migration were youths aged 15-24, followed by children under 15. Male youths were particularly likely to leave the territory.”


Trends in Post-Secondary EducationAcross the country, the face of post-secondary learning has shifted towards older learners, women, and part-time students. In the Yukon, the youth population aged 15-24 is expected to decline over the next five to ten years. The average age of Yukon College students is over 30.

National labour shortages are predicted in the health and management sectors, but post-secondary providers are cautioned that Canada’s labour market is experiencing regional variations with strong ‘booms’ and ‘busts’ occurring in specific industries and areas. A post-secondary education is an entry-level requirement for more and more professions, with two out of three new jobs expected to demand such credentials.

Canada’s post-secondary sector is becoming more complex with the emergence of university-colleges and other degree-granting institutions, an increased focus on research and development at colleges and institutes, and the rise of private providers. One possible response may be a move towards centralization of accreditation and a pan-Canadian framework for quality control.

In the Yukon, the importance of First Nations continues to grow. One out of four Yukoners is Aboriginal, and eleven of the Yukon’s fourteen First Nations are now self-governing. More than two out of five Yukon College graduates are First Nations.

Yukon College enrolments in credited programming and trades fell 22% between 2002-03 and 2006-07. The number of Grade 12 graduates in the territory also dropped substantially over the same period. The Yukon has the highest labour force participation rate in Canada, and also the highest proportion of adults aged 25-64 with post-secondary credentials.

While the Yukon has the highest adult literacy scores in Canada, Aboriginal Yukoners scored dramatically below the rest of the population. At Yukon College, up to two out of five graduates of university transfer and professional programs have gone through academic upgrading.

“”


“rural Yukoners need to remain in their communities while learning. they need access to a wider variety of credit courses and programs using Distributed Learning technologies such asvideoconferencing and online course delivery.”

Needs of the Yukon, Report on Stakeholder Consultation

“Yukon college has an opportunity to meet First nations’ needs for capacity-building, land claims implementation, and self-government as First nations governments mature and develop.”

Opportunities, Report on Stakeholder Consultation

“the college has an opportunity to capitalize on the appeal of the north to bring in more students and ultimately benefit the territory.”

Opportunities, Report on Stakeholder Consultation

What the Community Told UsOur stakeholders were very open and insightful with the input they contributed through the consultation process.

They told us that Yukon College should build upon its presence in rural communities. Community campuses and Distributed Learning are major strengths of the institution, but community campus programming needs to be expanded, and the College needs to decentralize.

Our stakeholders emphasized the importance of First Nations self-government. Yukon College has a tremendous opportunity to work collaboratively with First Nations to build capacity for governance and implementation of self-government agreements. They stressed that collaborative, consultative relationships with First Nations will be essential to building trust and retaining credibility in the Yukon.

The community believes that public perception of Yukon College can be greatly improved through strategic marketing and recruitment. Many of our stakeholders said that they were aware of excellent programs and services at the College but that, in their experience, others in the community were unaware of the value the College provides.

They also warned us of increasing competition for post-secondary students from institutions offering online courses and programs. Student enrolment has been declining as a result of demographic and economic factors, and the community is keenly aware that Yukon College must actively recruit students to maintain its viability. Our stakeholders want to see Yukon College become a “destination”, a first-choice institution for Yukoners and beyond.

The community told us that Yukon College can build on many core strengths, including excellent faculty and staff, Distributed Learning technologies, and flexibility in programs and services. The College’s linkages to other post-secondary institutions allow local degree completion, a broader range of locally available programming, and participation in circumpolar networks like the University of the Arctic.

“”


“Faculty and staff are committed to their work, and are willing to put in extra effort. they also bring great breadth and depth of knowledge and experience to the institution.”

Strengths, Report on Stakeholder Consultation

“Students at ayamdigut need athletic and fitness services such as a friendlier gym, more sports teams, outdoor groups, fitness groups, and an indoor climbing wall. they need places on campus to meet and relax …”

Student Needs, Report on Stakeholder Consultation

“Yukon college needs to engage in more long-term planning. … all long-term planning and reorganization needs to involve meaningful consultation with faculty and staff … Strong leadership is needed to create a sustainable future for Yukon college.”

Needs of Yukon College Personnel, Report on Stakeholder Consultation

They saw opportunities to expand our range of programming, and to meet the needs of business and labour in a booming territorial economy. We heard that Yukon College is a good environment for learning, partly because of our small size and our caring services. We have an opportunity to build a sense of community for our students who are actively engaged in learning. We also heard that many students from Yukon high schools need support in making the transition to post-secondary learning.

The community reminded us that we face human resource challenges, including impending retirements and the need to build a shared sense of purpose among our faculty and staff. The quality of our internal communication can be strengthened to build trust and to give all our employees a sense of personal efficacy in contributing to the College’s vision. Likewise, our communication with our partners in the wider community needs to be further developed. The community felt that the College needs to engage in ongoing consultation and communication in order to build relationships and retain the respect and commitment of our partners.

Our stakeholders also identified a need for Yukon College to husband its physical resources by seeking alternative sources of funding, and by planning for future facilities requirements.

“”


“Yukon college is involved in the community, and works to develop community relationships, partnerships, and linkages. the institution engages in self examination that is inclusive of stakeholders, and is willing to listen to stakeholder input.”


“Yukon college is the only post-secondary institution in the Yukon at a time of promise for the north.”


“Yukon college will be a busy, vibrant institution with many students from across the north, canada, and the rest of the world.”

Vision, Report on Stakeholder Consultation

Building on Our Strengths: Strategic Directions 2008-2013Our stakeholders told us that Yukon College’s strengths include our community campuses, Distributed Learning technologies, faculty and staff, services to students, flexibility, linkages to other post-secondary institutions, and connections to our communities.

Building on these strengths, our Strategic Directions for 2008-2013 are:

Building a community of learners;Leading with our strengths in research, programs and service;Working together with all Yukon communities;Working together with all First Nations;Building a vibrant and sustainable organization; andImproving the identity of the College.

All six Strategic Directions are equally important and will be pursued concurrently to achieve Yukon College’s vision.

1. Building a community of learners

We heard that the people of the Yukon want Yukon College to build a community of learners with strong enrolment numbers, effective support for the transition to College learning, and an active student life.

GoalsYukon College will support an active student life where students can learn, meet, socialize, and engage in healthy activities such as sports, culture, clubs and student government.Yukon College will provide effective transition support for students entering the College.Yukon College will increase the number of students by 5% each year in both full-time and part-time credited programming, to achieve a total of at least 650 full-time and 750 part-time students by 2013.

>>>>>>

>

>

>

“”


“the college will be a leader in northern issues and/or northern studies, with

“centres of excellence” in Yukon communities. it will be innovative in its use of technology and in its creative educational approaches (such as on-the-job training) to develop unique and profitable markets.”


“Yukon college will be decentralized, offering more programs and courses in the communities, both on-site and through Distributed Learning.”


2. Leading with our strengths in research, programs and service

We heard that the people of the Yukon want Yukon College to be a leader in Northern research and educational technology, to increase the variety of courses and programs available to Yukoners, and to provide responsive and flexible training for changing industry needs.

GoalsYukon College will increase the number and variety of diplomas, degrees and certificate program opportunities directly or in partnership with other post-secondary institutions.Yukon College will respond in a flexible and timely manner to meet the changing training needs of business and labour.Yukon College will develop a research initiative to address northern issues and opportunities.Yukon College will be a leader in educational technology so that students have easy access to the courses and programs they require.

3. Working together with all Yukon communities

We heard that the people of the Yukon want Yukon College to work in partnership with communities, to offer more programming at community campuses, and to support Centres of Excellence like the School of Visual Arts.

GoalsYukon College will increase the number of relevant and meaningful courses and programs at the community level.Yukon College will partner with local communities to support their cultural, economic and environmental goals.Yukon College will actively support Centres of Excellence within local communities.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

“”


“the college will have engaged in honest and open conversations with First nations to build a shared vision and a sense of accountability for outcomes. Yukon college will have more First nations faculty and staff, and will be providing programming and curricula that are relevant to First nations and to all Yukoners living and working in a milieu where First nations are a major presence.”


“Yukon college employees will be supported in accomplishing a shared vision and will feel empowered to contribute to the institution.”


“the college will be involved with the community and opento feedback.”


4. Working together with all First Nations

We heard that the people of the Yukon want Yukon College to engage in relationship-building with First Nations, to collaboratively build programs that will increase First Nations knowledge and skills for self-governance and implementation, and to have an environment of cultural sensitivity throughout the institution.

GoalsYukon College will foster and build respectful and collaborative relationships with First Nations.Yukon College will have an environment of cultural sensitivity for all.Yukon College will work in collaboration with First Nations to establish programs to increase the knowledge and skills of First Nations in becoming self-governing and in the implementation of First Nations governance.

5. Building a vibrant and sustainable organization

We heard that the people of the Yukon want Yukon College to be an organization where good communication leads to a culture of trust, one that engages in community partnerships, has diverse sources of funding and adequate plans for physical expansion, and that acts in congruence with its teachings.

GoalsYukon College will continue to build a culture of trust throughout the organization through active communication.Yukon College will develop and implement a long-term capital plan that identifies future requirements for land, buildings and equipment. Yukon College will diversify its funding sources.Yukon College will have congruence between what we teach and what we do.Yukon College will continue to actively engage with its communities and stakeholders, build more partnerships and be consultative in developing its future programs and directions.

>

>>

>

>

>>>

“”


6. Improving the identity of the College

We heard that the people of the Yukon want Yukon College to have an inspiring identity that will make us the first choice for post-secondary education, to be known for our unique courses and programs, and to be a hub of the community.

GoalsYukon College will have an inspiring identity that builds on our successes and is focused on Yukon’s unique culture, economy and environment.Future students will favourably consider Yukon College as their choice for post-secondary education.Yukon College will have a welcoming and hospitable environment; it will be a “hub of the community” where facilities will be well used by the community.Yukon College will be known locally, nationally and internationally for its unique courses, research and programs.

>

>

>

>

“Yukon college will be a true destination, attractive to Yukon students as well as those from other jurisdictions, based on its reputation for academic excellence. it will be ‘the college of choice.’”


“Yukon college campuses will be friendly places where members of the general community feel welcomed.”


“”


500 College Drive Po Box 2799Whitehorse, Yukon CanaDa Y1a 5k4

1 867 668 8800 WWW.YukonCollege.Yk.Ca

PrinteD on 100% Post-Consumer fiBre. Chlorine-free.

Phot

os: w

ww

.arc

hbou

ld.c

om

Yukon College - StudyCo Education Consultants & Student ... · Victoria, they’re going to be able to stay here and go to school here. We’re not going to lose our kids anymore.

Documents