Northern Connection's E-Lab opens

Sep 16, 2010

l-r:Joyce Bigelow and Deb Ryckman of Northern Connections with Tom Dewey and Anne Prichard of the FCFDC

Preceding the ribbon cutting ceremony that officially opened their new E-lab at Northern Connections Adult Learning Centre in Sharbot Lake on September 14, Joyce Bigelow, executive director of Northern Connections, first thanked the Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation (FCFDC) and the Eastern Ontario Development Program (EODP), who provided the grant that allowed the purchases of the computer equipment and furniture necessary to run the lab. “Thanks to them we are once again able to have community access and are now equipped to provide E-learning for literacy, ACE high school equivalency, high school credits and various college programs as well as providing a workplace for Oasis skills building workshops.”

Northern Connections has partnered with Loyalist and St. Lawrence Colleges and will offer various college courses on-line, which will mean that members of the rural community will be able to return to school without having to be in a classroom.

“I think this opens up so many links to the world and to knowledge for anyone and everyone and is a huge step in providing members of the community in and around the area an opportunity to upgrade their skills and/or return to school.”

Anne Prichard, executive director of the FCFDC, said, “We're very happy to be able to support these E-learning programs and feel it will be a great benefit both to local businesses and individuals.”

Marilyn Plunkett of Loyalist College along with Nancy Scovil and Arlene Cronin of St. Lawrence were present at the event. “This program gives us access to rural communities and allows students who cannot physically access the college to still prepare to be successful at the college level”, Scovil said.

Beginning on Oct. 7 Northern Connections will be open on Thursday evenings from 6:30-8:30pm.

Other news from Northern Connections: New this fall are a number of workshops including herb education, women's legal issues, and digital photography. For more information contact Northern Connections at 613-279-2499