Alumni Stories
The Art of the Weld
Posted on Mar 6, 2019
When you think of art forms, welding is not a medium that comes to mind. The work of Ralph Courtorielle creates a compelling argument for its inclusion. A journeyman welder, Ralph completed his welding training at Northern Lakes College and is currently teaching Pre-Employment Welding at the College.…
Read MoreA Career with Staying Power
Posted on Mar 1, 2019
When Ellen Davies decided to reenter the workforce after having her four children, she knew she would need to retrain. Upgrading her skills to return to the career she had left behind in the corporate offices of the up-again-then-down-again oil industry did not appeal to her. She wanted a career that…
Read MoreNot Lost in Translation: Providing French-speaking Albertans with Health Services
Posted on Feb 20, 2019
The large, French-speaking population of the Smoky River Region is able to obtain health services in French thanks in part to the work and dedication of Rachelle Bérubé. As the French Health Coordinator for Alberta Health Services’ North Zone, Rachelle’s role is to promote and improve access and…
Read MoreDiscovering the World of Water
Posted on Dec 14, 2018
The majority of us take for granted that clean, potable water flows from the taps in our homes. Glenmary high school student McKenna Patterson knows what goes into making this occur, thanks to her participation in the Northern Lakes College Water and Wastewater Operator Preparation Level 1 program through…
Read MoreAdoption of MMP Program at J.D. Irving Accelerates Management Talent
Posted on Dec 3, 2018
The Maintenance Management Professional (MMP) program focuses on the effective management of physical assets. Mike Crowell, Director of Maintenance at Irving Forest Services in New Brunswick, a division of J.D. Irving Ltd., credits the program with creating a platform for attaining leading practice…
Read MoreAlumni Star in Discovery Canada's: Hellfire Heroes
Posted on Nov 9, 2018
Patrick McConnell and Ryan Coutts work for the Lesser Slave Lake (LSL) Regional Fire Service, which was the “ground zero” crew for the 2011 Wildfire that tore through the Town of Slave Lake. Both are graduates of the Emergency Medical Responder program.|“In the untamed wilderness of Central Alberta,…
Read MoreTurning your Life Around
Posted on Oct 31, 2018
Chris Yellowbird is from Alexander First Nation and his background story is a recollection of trauma, abuse, and misuse. Yellowbird shares, “I have an interesting story, because I used to be a client at the Footprints Healing Centre in Alexander First Nation. I am about 21 months sober now [at time…
Read MoreOnly I Can Define What I Can Do
Posted on Jun 22, 2018
Valedictorian Makayla Laboucan delivered the farewell statement to the class of 2018. “When I received the letter indicating that I was chosen to be NLC’s valedictorian, I was shocked. I called my family to let them know because this is a big deal for me,” Laboucan exclaims.A member of the Sucker…
Read MoreLearning Never Stops
Posted on May 14, 2018
Kevin Wharmby is a Lead Planner and Scheduler of Maintenance at Cameco Corporation’s Port Hope Conversion Facility. Wharmby is a great believer in lifelong learning. “I have always believed that learning never stops. Since graduating from Law & Security Administration, and then working through apprenticeship…
Read MoreThe Road to Becoming a Human Resource Professional
Posted on Apr 9, 2018
Michelle Caudron, 26, is a mother of two and a full-time student with Northern Lakes College (NLC) in Peace River. Caudron is originally from a remote community in the Northwest Territories. Her hometown was very isolated, and did not offer her many opportunities to advance her education. In 2009, Caudron…
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