CONNECTIONS COMMUNITY PROGRAM

For many newcomers in Canada, obtaining relevant work experience can be a major challenge. Practical workplace experience is essential for achieving career success, but without opportunities to gain experience, it can be difficult to make progress in any chosen field

Many of these young people have faced barriers to education, making it challenging for them to access quality education. The rapidly changing world, including changes in higher education, offers an opportunity for the College to pilot new and alternative approaches to prepare students to pursue higher education and make a positive impact on the world as global citizens

In early 2020, newly hired Executive Director Mark Friesen and Career Advisor Linus Leow piloted the Community Connections Program (CCP). In the middle of the pandemic, when many students were losing their jobs, Columbia College stepped in to support them Under the CCP, students were placed to work for non-profits in the Greater Vancouver area in various job roles serving different industries across Vancouver.