Contact North opens centre in Kettle and Stony Point First Nation

Contact North | Contact Nord’s newest online learning centre to help Kettle and Stony Point First Nation residents access education and training without leaving their community

THUNDER BAY (December 10, 2021) – Contact North | Contact Nord’s newest online learning centre within Kettle & Stony Point First Nation’s Four Winds Community Employment Services Office is set to help local residents get their degree, diploma or certificate, or upgrade their skills without leaving their community.

Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Monte McNaughton will be on-hand for the official opening of the centre, which gives local residents access to a variety of free services, including:

• Information on available online programs and courses from Ontario’s nine Indigenous institutes, 24 public colleges, 23 public universities, 76 district school boards, 200 literacy and basic skills providers, and 20 skills development training providers
• Help with registrations and funding options
• Free, in-person access to high-speed Internet, computers, web and videoconferencing, extended reality (XR), and technical support
• Support and encouragement to complete programs and courses
• Supervision of exams

This is the first online learning centre to be opened in an Indigenous community in Contact North | Contact Nord’s Southwest Region.

“Every person in our Lambton-Kent-Middlesex – no matter where they live – deserves to have access to training they need to find meaningful careers and build better lives for themselves and their loved ones,” says MPP McNaughton. “Today’s announcement with Contact North is another example of how our government is working for workers to ensure people across our community can learn the skills needed to build a stronger tomorrow for us all.”

“I’m thrilled to be working alongside this community, helping local residents access the programs and courses that’ll position them to compete for local, in-demand jobs. I can’t wait to see the success stories unfold,” adds Carrie Stuart, Director, Recruitment & Partnerships, Southwest Region, for Contact North | Contact Nord.

“Education is the first step to gain the knowledge, critical thinking and skills to empower personal success,” says Dianne Thomas, Kettle & Stony Point First Nation Director of Economic Development and Training. “On behalf of Chief and Council, the staff at Four Winds Community Employment Services are excited to welcome Contact North to work onsite in the community. This partnership is a long-term goal achieved to increase access to programs for individuals.”

“In terms of skills training and job preparedness, this represents a fantastic opportunity for the people of Kettle & Stony Point,” adds Terese Bressette, Four Winds Community Employment Services Program Manager.

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For further information, contact: Carrie Stuart, Director, Recruitment & Partnerships, Southwest Region, at 1-844-891-1123 or e-mail carrie@contactnorth.ca.

About Contact North | Contact Nord

As Ontario’s community-based bilingual distance education and training network, Contact North | Contact Nord helps underserved residents in 1,300+ small, rural, remote, Indigenous and Francophone communities access education and training without leaving their communities.