Sign at the event for Fanshawe and the Military (Credit: Dan McCracken)
Fanshawe College signed a memorandum with the 31st Canadian Brigade at Fanshawe’s main campus today.
“This is the first partnership of this kind in Canada with a post-secondary flavour of providing a co-operative program that benefits students at Fanshawe and the military” says Peter Devlin, President of Fanshawe College.
“This was an opportunity for us to provide pathways for those that are interested in service to their country, as well as learning the skills that Fanshawe offers. So, this M.O.U. (memorandum of understanding) allows Fanshawe and 31 Brigade to recognize the skills and talents that are being developed at both our institutions.”
This agreement gives students the opportunity to study at Fanshawe while also training at Wolseley Barracks here in London.
“We’re going to do the military training at our base here in London on Oxford Street, not too far from campus and then here on campus they’ll take whatever their normal course of study. If they are in culinary arts, Financial Services, Administration, mechanics, these are the types of jobs that we need people trained in in the military. This is the work that we’re trying to leverage that they would get here at Fanshawe” says Colonel Chris Brown, Commander of the 31st Canadian Brigade Group.
Col. Chris Brown and Fanshawe President Peter Devlin signing the memorandum (Credit: Dan McCracken)
Col. Brown also says that the Canadian Armed Forces have seen a 100 per cent increase in recruitment in southern Ontario over the past year, but they would still like everyone to know that there are continuing opportunities on a part time basis.
“Any of the skills and trades that are in the military are things that we can augment. A simple one would be one of administrative support, so our admin assistant programs are ones that lend themselves beautifully to administrative support inside the military. Our business programs, our finance programs are also one that lend themselves, we can grow this to include all the technical trades that are involved in servicing equipment and vehicles, there are endless possibilities” says Devlin.
“I think it just reflects Fanshawe’s commitment to community and our commitment to Ontario and Canada. As a retired military guy, as a veteran, it has additional importance. But for me, it’s all about providing opportunity for our students at Fanshawe while at the same time growing the potential of the military.”
The program is expected to start this coming fall.
