True North, Strong and FREE!

Kelli McRobert | Mar 09, 2022

As with anything, one can find a glass half full or half empty, depends on perspective. Resilience comes from being able to adapt, overcome, and grow during difficult times and ‘knowledge is power’ as the expression goes. Was the pandemic a catalyst for change?

Zoom meetings and remote work are the ‘new normal’ for many office workers. Big city residents are relocating to rural settings, looking for that quiet solitude and ability to roam freely outdoors. Those with a thirst for knowledge are enrolling in online courses, virtual seminars, and professional development sessions. When you start to explore the various educational options out there the information can be overwhelming to say the least. One place has mastered the ability to provide a ‘one stop shop’ for these resources.

No matter what your aspirations are, Contact North/Contact Nord provides residents of Ontario the opportunity to try something new and continues to support their clients throughout their educational/transitional journey. They are a “bilingual distance education and training network [that] helps underserved residents in 1,300+ small, rural, remote, Indigenous and Francophone communities access education and training…”.

I happened across this group when I was surfing the internet trying to find some basic information when up popped an ad offering a creative writing course. Within minutes, I was registered online and getting ready to take my first online 8-week course in writing and the whole process was quick and easy.

Some of the great services they offer, as listed on their website are:

Information on online programs and courses;

Help to register, and information on financial options;

Free use of computers and Internet at 116 online learning centres;

Free use of web conferencing and videoconferencing platforms; and

Supervision of exams and tests.

With the number of locations across Ontario increasing, Contact North/Nord covers a vast expanse of territory helping clients with all their educational and training needs. The organization was founded in 1986 and was helping Indigenous and rural/remote communities with training opportunities and funding options to gain employment and educational requirements to enter (return to) the workforce.

In collaboration with Universities and Colleges, the group offers a variety of employment services and takes the guess work out of registration, payments, loan programs and entry requirements into distance education programs.

Tiffany, an Education & Training Advisor from the Madoc Centre od Contact North, said that it really does provide “rural access brought into the home so students can obtain the education they need for the career of their choice.

“We are with them every step of the way, and we will help in any way that we can”.

Her team has expanded as they are one of the few industries that has seen a huge growth during the pandemic. “With people changing jobs and careers, and many seeking online opportunities for professional development for our health care workers, our business has seen a huge increase in demand, and we are there to support them 24/7”, she said.

They offer a 1-800 # and an online chat support link that keeps clients connected day or night. Working with multiple agencies they offer over 2600 online programs and 42,000 online courses from Ontario institutions.

Tiffany came on board herself when she was struggling to find information about training and education and when she found out about the organization she decided to apply and has not regretted the decision.

Barb D. was a single mom of 3 and signed up for training to re-enter the workforce after being a stay-at-home mom for 18 years and recently finding herself, divorced, and out of work.

Through Contact North/Nord she was enrolled in an administrative program at Loyalist College and during her placement hours she managed to land a job working with the group that had supported, coached, and motivated her to get back into the workforce.

“Contact North/Nord just happened to open up a position the same time I was looking and I had been using the location to access computer programs and doing my placement hours, as it was close to home. It was a good fit and it has worked out well with consistent hours, suitability and a workplace that really does support a modern-day family lifestyle,” she said.

Thanks in part of Contact North, Barb’s account is one that progresses from a sad story of a change in her family dynamic to a proud tale of achievement, success, and independence.

Pandemic or not, it looks as if virtual reality IS the new reality and will continue to gain momentum as agencies increase rural internet speeds providing equal opportunities for those choosing to live in small town Ontario. Contact North/Nord is helping to keep the communities strong and educational opportunities free.

For those looking for resources, check out their website at www.contactnorth.ca or call them toll free at: 1-800-561-2222 or check out studyonline.ca for live chat options.