March 2, 2009 - Second Career Opens Door to Postsecondary Education for Local Man

TIMMINS – Sometimes when one door closes, another opens. This was the case for Richard Ouellet, 23, of Timmins, Ontario. Ouellet, a laid-off surface diamond driller, is now a student in the Pre-Technology program at Northern College thanks to the Government of Ontario’s Second Career program.

Through Second Career, eligible unemployed applicants may receive up to $28,000 to assist with tuition, books, living expenses and other costs associated with retraining to build skills for a new career.

“I always wanted to go back to school and I always had an interest in the construction industry,” says Ouellet who enrolled in Northern’s new Pre-Technology program in January 2009 in preparation for the Building Inspection Technician diploma program. “If it hadn’t been for Second Career, I would not have had this opportunity to fulfill my passion for a career in construction.”

“Northern’s Pre-Technology program is phenomenal. It touches on all aspects of preparing for a postsecondary technology program. It also provides an opportunity to explore career options and to develop self-confidence for further studies,” says Ouellet. “The program offers a lot of hands-on experience and the teachers are excellent at engaging students based on their individual learning styles.”

Ouellet also cites the open staff relations and non-intimidating setting of a small college as additional reasons for choosing Northern College.

Under the Ontario government’s new Second Career program, applicants may be eligible for funding to help with the cost of post-secondary education.

“Eligible applicants considering a second career may receive up to $28,000 to assist with the cost of tuition, books, living expenses and other costs associated with the training to build skills for a new career,” said Carole Belanger, Communications Officer.

Interested applicants may obtain more information and eligible programs by logging on to the College’s website www.northernc.on.ca and clicking on the Second Career banner or by calling Northern’s Second Career Specialist at 705-235-6841

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Media contact: Carole Belanger, Communications Officer
705-235-3211 ext. 2253

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