We are creating a sustainable development plan for post-secondary education and training in the qathet region – the heart of ɬaʔamɩn ʔəms gijɛ (Tla’amin territory), where we are grateful to work, learn, research and share knowledge. This plan will help ensure that program delivery on our campus reflects the needs of the community we serve, while contributing to the well-being of the region.
In 2022, the Tla’amin Nation’s executive council gifted the campus the name tiwšɛmawtxw (teew-shem- awt-xw), which means House of Learning. Building a House of Learning for the future can only be done in close partnership with our community. We will be engaging with people across the qathet region at multiple levels in the coming months. And we want to hear your voice!
The process will give the community an opportunity to have a say in the direction of post-secondary education and training in the qathet region. Everyone’s insights and perspectives will help us identify the types of programs and courses that best address the future needs of the region. We plan to engage with:
- Indigenous and civic leaders
- the general population
- current students
- employers and local industry
The roadmap we develop will align with the intent and guidance of:
- Tla’amin Nation’s Comprehensive Nation Plan
- Powell River Sustainability Charter
- Powell River Integrated Community Sustainability Plan
- United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals
- upcoming qathet Labour Force Strategy
- School District 47’s 2023-27 Strategic Plan
- VIU’s 2021-26 Strategic Plan
The outcome of this work will be a five-year actionable growth and development plan for the tiwšɛmawtxʷ campus. The direction of the plan will rely on:
- research into the needs of education partners and interested groups in the region
- a situational analysis of the campus’s current role and relevance to the communities it serves
- an exploration of trends and directions among post-secondary, place-based regional campuses
The planning process will be carried out using a mix of
- community engagement,
- formal and informal interviews
- focus groups and
- desk research followed by forecasting and a cost/benefit analysis
The plan will identify the development direction that aligns best with existing community plans and VIU’s institutional priorities, goals and objectives.
Planning: July to September 2023
- engagement planning and terms of reference for participation
- public engagement plan
- public engagement communications materials
- formation of local post-secondary education planning steering committee
Execution: September to December 2023
- launch public engagement
- interviews and surveys with partners and stakeholders
- partners’ HR training-needs assessments
- public engagement event
- data analysis prep
Recommendations and road map: January to December 2024
- draft development strategies
- report back on public engagement
- partner revision and feedback
- road map development
- feasibility study
- draft of five-year development plan
Questions
Want to learn more about this initiative? Connect with Nathan Jantz, Project Lead: Nathan.Jantz@viu.ca