College of the Rockies empowers business

East Kootenay businesses have a strong partner in College of the Rockies

by Marie Milner — November 16, 2015

The new entrance foyer at College of the Rockies

The entrance hall at College of the Rockies in Cranbrook, B.C., completed in 2010, reflects the ties between the college and the First Nations people. — Marie Milner photo

Like nutrient-rich food sustains a body, the programs and courses delivered by College of the Rockies help sustain a strong and vital business community in the Kootenay region.

Dr. Stan Chung, vice-president academic and applied research, is working to shape social and economic sustainability in the Kootenay region. That means much more than just producing a certain number of students to do certain types of work—it means expanding the workplace possibilities and increasing the college’s positive social and economic impact.

Chung talked about four specific ways in which the college is supporting the business community, beyond turning out competent grads to join the workforce.

These are international students from the College of the Rockies class of 2011.

One: International students

The college has 260 international student who purchase of food, housing and recreation, providing millions of dollars of direct economic boost to the community. The downtown businesses—restaurants, hotels, car dealerships—and the people who provide housing for the students in their homes, are all receiving benefits from those students.

Two: Workforce development

All of the college’s program areas focus on workforce development. For example, Heather Hepworth, the dean of health and human services, works with employers like Golden Life and Interior Health Authority to make sure that the college is filling job vacancies and job requirements with competent, appropriately trained students from the college’s signature nursing degree and other health and human service programs.

The annual career fair at College of the Rockies is a popular event for employers and job seekers.

“We do that in all our business degree and trades, and workforce development is also important in arts and culture,” Chung said.

Filmmakers, cooks, tourism operators and artists work to promote and communicate all that’s available in the East Kootenay besides work. Those are the elements that give life its flavour and attract visitors and potential new residents.

Three: Applied or company-sponsored research

That’s where College of the Rockies helps companies solve real-life problems. Students take on applied research projects for industry, and they are highly prized and recognized by corporations, companies and non-profit organizations like the Ktunaxa Nation Council, which is a key research and workforce partner.

“Applied research is fairly new at the college, so business people may not know what we can do,” Chung said.

For example, if the BC Restaurant & Food Services Association wants to know how many restaurants are recycling beyond the basics, fourth-year business degree students create a survey on sustainability and can give the entire association a real, data-driven peek at what the sustainability practices are and what the paybacks are.

Dr. Stan Chung is vice-president, academic and applied research, College of the Rockies, Cranbrook, B.C.

Many organizations that request applied research extend beyond the Kootenay region, so the research will have far-reaching impacts that will lead to hiring, marketing shifts and comprehensive sustainability on many fronts.

“Our students are snapped up by industry because they … understand how to ask the questions, collect the data and drive a return on investment,” said Chung.

Chung said that even though the college is just beginning its applied research work, more and more companies are realizing that the college has some excellent resources. For example, the City of Cranbrook called upon the college to research water leadership, so it played a role in developing the mayor’s water leadership protocol. Teck Resources is also calling upon the college’s researchers to help address its operational challenges.

Four: Physical literacy research

Physical literacy is about understanding that for children to grow up with healthy minds and healthy spirits, they have to learn the basics of physical activity including running, jumping, skipping and throwing.

“I think it’s the most exciting piece of research we’re doing right now,” said Chung. “No other college in Canada is doing it, and Professor Sandy Lavery’s research team, School District No. 5 partners and bachelor of education students are being seen as pioneering leadership (with support from) ViaSport and the Royal Bank. This is going to produce kids who are healthier, who study better, who are happier, who will go on to great careers and productive lives. That may impact the business community more than anything else.”