BRANTFORD, ON, Nov. 1, 2019
/CNW/ - Six Nations Polytechnic (SNP), along with IBM (NYSE: IBM)
and Mohawk College, today announced
they are partnering to deliver the P-TECH School Model (Pathways in
Technology, Early College High School) through SNP's STEAM
(Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) Academy in
Brantford, Ontario.
The P-TECH model at SNP STEAM Academy will enable students to
graduate with a high school diploma, a tuition-free,
industry-aligned, two-year college diploma, and workplace
experiences within six years or less. Hallmarks of the program
include industry one-on-one mentoring, workplace visits, paid
summer internships, and a guaranteed job interview at IBM
upon completion. In addition to technical proficiency, the program
fosters professional skills, including critical thinking, problem
solving, communication, adaptability, and intellectual curiosity
that are required for well-paying new-collar jobs in Ontario's growing technology sector.
In speaking of this partnership, Rebecca
Jamieson, President & CEO of Six Nations Polytechnic,
said, "The alliance with IBM and Mohawk
College strengthens proven pathways for student success and
continued contributions to our collective mutual benefit. We all
share this land and this alliance models the cooperation that is
critical to our future sustainability."
"As technologies redefine job roles and industries, the types of
skills required today and in the future are changing," said
Ayman Antoun, President, IBM Canada.
"P-TECH is all about preparing the next generation of workers,
linking education and workforce development, to position our youth
for success. This partnership between IBM, SNP STEAM Academy and
Mohawk College is a great example of
working together to build a competitive workforce for the jobs of
tomorrow."
This program builds on an already successful relationship
between IBM Canada and Mohawk College
where students are given the opportunity to gain emerging skillsets
in technologies that are in high demand.
Mohawk College and SNP have a
longstanding partnership that will be enhanced through the
development and delivery of a blended learning opportunity. This
program will provide students with courses at both the secondary
and the college level to create a seamless dual credential
experience. The culmination of this program will allow students to
earn both their Ontario Secondary School Diploma as well as a
two-year Software Engineering Technician Diploma. Combined with
workplace experiences, students will have the skills required for
ongoing college, new collar jobs, or both.
"Congratulations to Six Nations Polytechnic and IBM for their
leadership in providing Brantford-area students with access to one of
the most innovative educational programs in North America," said Mohawk College President Ron McKerlie. "Mohawk
College is proud to work together in this partnership to
help SNP students travel the pathway through the P-TECH curriculum
to a college credential and the opportunity for promising
jobs."
About Six Nations Polytechnic STEAM Academy
SNP is a
unique post-secondary organization, recognized by community,
government and institutions of higher learning as a centre of
excellence for Indigenous Education. SNP has more than 25 years of
post-secondary success in partnership with Ontario's publicly funded universities and
colleges. The SNP STEAM Academy is a grade 9-14
technology-rich secondary school where students create their
own pathways to high-skilled jobs. It is open to all secondary
school learners and programming is focused on STEAM (Science,
Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) program pathways.
About IBM P-TECH
The P-TECH education
model was codeveloped by IBM working together with
educators, policy makers and community groups in 2011.
The intent of the program is to open new pathways by creating a
direct connection between high school, college, and careers. P-TECH
helps to strengthen regional economies and disadvantaged
populations with a workforce better prepared for "new collar" jobs
-- skilled, tech positions that don't necessarily require a
traditional, four-year college degree. There are more than 75
community colleges and 600 industry partners affiliated with
P-TECHs right now, including Global Foundries, VW, and American
Airlines. By the end of 2019, the model will be in more
than 220 schools across more than 23 countries. Early
results show increasing graduation rates, employment in competitive
entry-level careers, and ongoing college study. Learn more at
IBM.org.
About Mohawk
College
Mohawk College
educates and serves more than 32,500 full-time, part-time,
apprenticeship and international students at three main campuses in
Hamilton, Ontario and at learning
hubs across Hamilton through City
School by Mohawk, and at the college's Aerospace Training Hub at
Hamilton International Airport.
Mohawk is among the leading colleges in Canada for applied research. It has been named
one of Canada's greenest employers
for six years in a row, holds a GOLD STARS rating from AASHE for
sustainability achievements and is home to the country's largest
net zero energy institutional building, The Joyce Centre for
Partnership & Innovation. More than 125,000 people have
graduated from Mohawk since it was founded.
SOURCE IBM Canada Ltd.