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<\/a>There\u2019s no particular number for enrolment projections in CE post-COVID, but Wilmshurst says that acting director of Continuing Education and Contract Training Jennifer Stone has put forth a plan with a focus on courses that have been successful in the past, micro-credentials, and niche courses.<\/p>\n
\u201c[This includes] courses that we knew have worked out well in the past, and then kind of fit into the new format that we want to be going forward,\u201d says Wilmshurst. \u201cSo probably less general interest and more specific to the needs of professionals in the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
As an example, Wilmshurst compares a Photography 101 course to a course on electric vehicle maintenance, which is a focus in Continuing Education; he says that while a 100-level course helps you to gain skills, it\u2019s often not specific enough for many employers.<\/p>\n
\u201c[We\u2019ll focus on] the kinds of things that you would build upon that would have a very particular learning outcome that are going to help you in your career,\u201d says Wilmshurst.<\/p>\n
In June of last year, the college said less than 50 positions would be impacted by the department\u2019s closure. Wilmshurst says the college is following re-hiring protocol with CUPE Local 2081 and the Camosun College Faculty Association.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a layoff process and a return process that we work through with the unions,\u201d says Wilmshurst. \u201cWhen we have an opening, we obviously go through the formal process of bringing people back and work closely with both those unions.\u201d<\/p>\n
As one of three post-secondary institutions in the community, Camosun has a long history in Continuing Education.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do think it\u2019s important that we play an important role in that, and certainly, as an access institution, that\u2019s something that we\u2019re spending a lot of time studying in terms of, \u2018Okay, what is it that people in the community are wanting?’ and, equally importantly, \u2018What is it that industry is wanting?’ We know there are gaps. And these are the gaps that we\u2019d like Camosun to fill.\u201d<\/p>\n