THUNDER BAY - Many programs at Confederation College require a hands-on approach to learn the practical skills necessary to succeed. For Jordan Cripps-Born, a first-year student in the motive power techniques heavy equipment program, being able to enter the classroom was a welcome surprise as the college gears up for a rather different academic year.
“I was not expecting to have any courses in class this year, so I was really stoked to hear I will be in class with my peers and my teacher,” she said.
“It’s necessary. I wouldn’t be able to learn how to change a tire from a book without doing it. You have to be able to do and practicing doing in order to succeed and learn from that.”
The fall semester at Confederation College began this week, though it is using a hybrid model, meaning the campus is largely empty, as the majority of programs have shifted to online learning.
Students who do require practical skills and hands-on learning in order to complete their programs are back on campus, though with strict guidelines in place.
“This year we are going to see something much different,” said Neil Cooke, vice president academic with Confederation College. “We are going to be seeing the students coming here only for practical programming that is required for them to complete their areas of study. Our theory will be done online.”
There are 32 general programs and eight apprenticeship programs that require practical skills. In order to keep the number of students on campus limited, the programs will see a staggered start, with apprenticeships not beginning until January.
“A number of programs will be fully online this year, but those that need practical components will be done here on campus in a very regulated manner to provide safety for students, faculty, and staff,” Cooke said.
Some of those programs include construction, welding, film, media and culinary programs.
According to Cooke, even though some students are returning to campus, class sizes will be smaller than normal.
“They will be split between two different labs, they will be staggered between two different days,” he said. “That creates a lot of scheduling challenges for us and for our faculty, but everyone has been adapting very well.”
Cooke added there has been some apprehension from students returning to the classroom, but as more people adjust to the COVID-19 situation, there is also a sense of relief that post-secondary education is continuing.
“Students do want to come to school and do want to continue on with their career aspirations after graduating from college and we have seen our numbers steadily climb where we are in a position where we are happy,” Cooke said. “They are embracing it.”
Kyla Kulchyski, a first year student in the paramedic program, said she wasn’t sure if continuing her education would be possible this year.
“It’s super exciting to be back,” she said. “Because of COVID I didn’t think I would be back in the classroom doing physical things. It’s super great that Confederation College has given us the opportunity to learn hands on again.”
“I thought college was going to be closed for this full year,” added Cripps-Born. “But when I heard it was open still I jumped on applying because why wait. There’s no point in waiting.”
The school year will definitely be different, with a quieter campus and more restrictions in place, such as signing in and out of buildings, designated routes through the campus, and masks being required.
But just being back in the classroom can also make those learning these hands on skills try even harder, Kulchyski said.
“I think everyone is super motivated this year,” she said. “Everyone is super pumped to be in the classroom to be learning hands on and know we are super fortunate to be in class. I think that motivates them a little more to push that extra mile.”
In the event the city sees a surge in COVID-19 cases this fall, Cooke said there is the possibility of suspending in-person learning and how to ensure students can still complete their programs will be done so on a program-by-program basis.
“We will be assessing that and following direction from the regional health authorities and the ministry in order to make sure we are compliant with anything that has to be done to suspend classes if we get to that point,” he said.
