myLoyalist
Home Campus News LOYALIST COLLEGE ANNOUNCES LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH KWANTLEN POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY TO OFFER CANNABIS CAREER TRAINING PROGRAMS

LOYALIST COLLEGE ANNOUNCES LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH KWANTLEN POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY TO OFFER CANNABIS CAREER TRAINING PROGRAMS

April 26, 2018

Belleville, Ontario, April 26, 2018 – Loyalist College has confirmed a program partnership with Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) to offer three Cannabis Career Training courses through the College’s Distance Studies and Continuing Education department. It will provide Loyalist students with the opportunity to learn relevant skills required to work with licensed production facilities, and prepare them for careers in plant production, regulation, sales and marketing.

“Loyalist’s new courses address a growing labour market need in our region, as licensed producers, retailers and the public sector prepare to fill job positions to meet expected demands,” said Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, Loyalist College President and CEO. “Within the industry, our Applied Research Centre for Natural Products and Medical Cannabis is a trusted authority on quality. Loyalist is Canada’s only College with a laboratory approved to conduct research with cannabis under the Narcotic Control Regulations.”

As the first post-secondary institution in Canada to provide professional training in the cannabis industry, KPU continues to develop non-academic cannabis career training programming through their Continuing and Professional Studies (CPS) division. As the emerging cannabis sector evolves, KPU’s Cannabis Career Training will also evolve and adapt to best meet the needs of the industry. The suite of non-credit courses is designed to train professionals in a number of key areas and were created in collaboration with industry experts. 

“Knowledge is key for those wanting to enter the cannabis industry,” said Dr. Salvador Ferreras, KPU Provost and VP, Academic. “We’re proud to partner with Loyalist College to provide a high level of education to those wishing to enter the burgeoning cannabis industry.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Loyalist College will offer the following Cannabis Career Training courses in the coming months: 

  1. Plant Product and Facility Management
  2. Marketing, Sales and Drug Development
  3. Financing a Cannabis Enterprise in Canada

About Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Kwantlen Polytechnic University has served the Metro Vancouver region since 1981, and has opened doors to success for more than 200,000 learners. Four campuses — Richmond, Surrey, Cloverdale and Langley—offer a comprehensive range of sought-after programs in business, liberal arts, design, health, science and horticulture, trades and technology, and academic and career advancement. Over 19,000 students annually have a choice from over 120 programs, including bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, diplomas, certificates, citations and apprenticeships. Learn more at kpu.ca. 

About Loyalist College’s Applied Research and Innovation Department
Through Loyalist’s Applied Research and Innovation Department, the College collaborates with industry partners in various fields on applied research projects, creating amazing learning experiences for students and faculty of all disciplines. The College has had success with funding support through the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) on a variety of projects. Having access to funding support allows Loyalist to increase capacity to work with local industries and businesses, support faculty who are committed to conducting research and to facilitating student research experiences. It has increased the capacity of Ontario industries to conduct applied research and attract new investors, stimulating innovative product development and job creation in our region.

About Loyalist College
Located on more than 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, Loyalist College is a close-knit community where students and their success come first. Loyalist provides personalized attention in small classes, rewarding field placements and superior student services. To prepare students for in-demand careers, Loyalist offers more than 65 full-time programs; apprenticeships; and hundreds of online, distance and in-class courses, as well as opportunities for continuing education through more than 70 university transfer agreements. The College’s wide selection of advanced diplomas, diplomas and certificates aligns with market-driven disciplines including applied sciences, biosciences, building sciences, business and management studies, health sciences, human studies, justice studies, media, arts and design, and skills and technology. In Ontario, the College’s new Digital Media Centre and The Bay of Quinte Skills Centre, which is LEED® Silver certified, are training centres of choice for students, as well as College business and industry partners. The College is a key driver of the social and economic health and prosperity of the area and contributes 5.4 percent to the Gross Regional Product. This represents an overall effect on the regional economy of $530 million annually – based on a 2014 Report by Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI). For more information on the College’s Belleville and Bancroft campuses and Port Hope satellite location, visit loyalistcollege.com.

– 30 –

Contact:

Kerry Lorimer, Director, Marketing, Communications and Recruitment
Loyalist College, klorimer@loyalistcollege.com, 613-969-1913 ext. 2536

Tatiana Tomljanovic, Media Specialist 
Kwantlen Polytechnic University, tatiana.tomljanovic@kpu.ca, 604-599-2883 

Categories: