Breaking Barriers in Higher Education

Post-secondary education is said to be one of the best investments anyone can make in one's future. But it's not as accessible to all as it could be. Joining The Agenda to explain the barriers and how they can be removed are: Jim Vanderveken, Dean for Community Partnerships and Experiential Learning at Mohawk College; Sue Gillespie, Chief Executive Officer of Pathways to Education; Coty Zachariah, National Chair of the Canadian Federation of Students; and Fiona Deller with the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario. Then, Mohawk College in Hamilton is revolutionizing access to higher education by offering free college courses in the community via its City School. The Agenda's Patricia Kozicka takes us inside two unique classrooms, where mature students and women are getting a taste of the trades. Finally, The traditional post-secondary education path isn't necessarily best-suited for all students. Opportunities also exist for those who thrive with hands-on learning. Robert Bronk, CEO of the Ontario Construction Secretariat, and Quoc Truong, a business representative for Central Ontario Building Trades, share their knowledge of the trades industry with The Agenda. They discuss the growing demand for skilled workers and the educational requirements that people entering the field will need.