Northern College of Applied Arts and Technology Ontario

First, let me use this opportunity on behalf of the Board of Governors and the Senior Management Team to wish you all a truly fulfilling 2012! The New Year is the time to unfold new horizons and realize our dreams, to rediscover the strength and faith within us; to rejoice in simple pleasures, celebrate achievements, and gear up for opportunities and challenges ahead.

Northern College is preparing to face new challenges and intends to consolidate its market leadership while developing new growth opportunities. These opportunities will be identified through the strategic planning process we are about to undertake and that will result in a new plan to guide us from April 2013 to March 2016. In fact, innovation, quality, growth, core competencies and human resources will continue to be key hallmarks and objectives as we seek to adopt new strategies to counter what will undoubtedly be a very difficult fiscal period as the Provincial government reigns in its own expenditures and accumulating debt.

Taking into account these new fiscal realities, work is currently underway on our 2012-2013 Business Plan that will be presented to the Board of Governors in May. Not to presuppose what the Business Plan will contain, I do want to share with you some general thoughts and themes.

It is our desire to continue to further empower our staff, and build a stronger corporate culture and business model—concepts introduced as pivotal pillars for our college in 2011/12. To successfully achieve the expanding mandate that we are pursuing, we will only be successful if we continue to empower and delegate authority to our staff. We will focus our resources on preparing for the future while significantly increasing value for all our stakeholders, including staff, students and our communities. Building on the momentum which has already begun, and seeking new growth engines from change, are therefore high on the agenda for this year, and indeed, at least the next two years. In fact, we will focus on a handful of key broad strategic objectives, including advancing technological leadership, innovation and strategic cost reduction in all areas while importantly, managing risk.

As I look back on 2011 and consider the many accomplishments that you were all part of and contributed to, I take pride in working with the great team of professionals that you are. Thank you.

Looking forward to 2012 and the next 12 months (less 3 days) whatever accomplishments we attain will similarly be achieved – through your continuing effort and commitment.

Happy New Year and good health to all!

Posted by Fred Gibbons