Articles from:May 2019

• Brock partners with Niagara chambers for landmark skills survey

  Tuesday, May 14, 2019 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 14 May 2019 – R00081

  Brock University is partnering with the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) and South Niagara Chambers of Commerce (SNCC) on a survey to better understand how the talent and skills capacity of the region lines up with the needs of employers.

  The Chamber of Commerce Survey is now open on the Brock University website and includes questionnaires for both business owners and employees. The goal is to identify the types of programs and supports needed to serve employers, as well as employees looking to upgrade their skills and advance their careers in Niagara.

  “Good business depends on good data. Without solid information, any organization is working in the dark,” says Mishka Balsom, President and CEO of the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce. “In Niagara, we need to identify the professional development needs of our labour force so that educational programs can be aligned to support the required talent and skills pool.”

  Dolores Fabiano, Executive Director of the South Niagara Chambers of Commerce, said business owners who make up the various chambers of commerce across the region are looking forward to what the survey might reveal.

  “With labour shortage being one of the biggest issues facing our businesses in Niagara, we believe the data gathered through this unique partnership will provide us with valuable information that will guide us to action,” she said.

  The survey takes five to 10 minutes to complete and is confidential. Only aggregate data will be used in reports on the survey’s findings.

  “Brock University is pleased to partner with the GNCC and SNCC in launching this important study to better understand the skills and talent capacity and needs of Niagara,” Brock President Gervan Fearon said. “With the data collected from this survey, together we can help build a more prosperous future and support careers and businesses here in Niagara for generations to come.”

  In addition to being available online at brocku.ca/community-engagement/chamber-survey business owners and employees will have the opportunity to complete the survey at various events across the region throughout the spring.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University [email protected], 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases

• Brock provides University lands for Canada Games infrastructure

  Friday, May 10, 2019 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 10 May 2019 – R00080

  Brock University has approved contributing a parcel of land at its main campus so it can be the site of a community and athletics complex that would be the central site when the 2021 Canada Summer Games are hosted in Niagara.

  On Thursday, May 9, Brock’s Board of Trustees voted to provide the land, currently part of a parking area, where Canada Games Park can be built if Games organizers are able to secure the required funding from various levels of government.

  The cost of building the Canada Games infrastructure projects will be shared through funding from the Niagara Region, Niagara’s municipalities and higher levels of government.

  In addition to the land for Canada Games Park, which Brock will provide on a long-term lease for a nominal-fee, the University will contribute $3.5 million in-kind through the use of Brock’s facilities during the Games, as well as a $500,000 financial contribution.

  “The 2021 Canada Summer Games has the potential to be a transformative moment in Niagara’s history, and Brock University is on board,” said Gary Comerford, Chair of the Brock University Board of Trustees.

  “This will be the largest sporting event ever held in Niagara, and the largest-ever Canada Games. As such, it will leave a lasting legacy on the region on many levels, including new and upgraded facilities.”

  More than 5,000 athletes will compete in 18 different sports from Aug. 6 to 22, 2021, with all of those competitions taking place across Niagara municipalities.

  Canada Games Park would include a sport and ability centre, arenas, gymnasiums and an outdoor facility with a track, athletic field and beach volleyball courts.

  Brock President Gervan Fearon said the investment being made by the University will benefit generations of not just students, but the entire Niagara community.

  “The investment supports the Canada Games in building two legacies,” said Fearon. “First, there is the physical infrastructure legacy of the Games, and second is the legacy of leveraging the facilities in support of university community engagement, academic curriculum and research activities involving the Niagara region here at Brock.

  In addition to Brock’s contribution to the Games through the in-kind and financial donations, it will also be involved from the academic and student engagement perspective.

  The University now has three Canada Games academic committees in the areas of research, experiential learning and community engagement.

  These groups are working to develop innovative initiatives in all three areas, from identifying collaborative research projects and curricular offerings to creating volunteer community engagement opportunities.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University [email protected], 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases