**NORTHERN COLLEGE NEWS RELEASE**

Northern College is one of the few Colleges in Ontario to report positive growth related to student applications.
The metrics show Northern College has a 30.4 per cent increase in direct applicant confirmations (high school applicants), this data calculated by the Ontario Colleges Application Service (OCAS) provides comparisons to 2018 applicants. This increase mirrors similar trends in direct student applicant college choice (16.6%) and direct applicant program choice (17.8 %) at Northern.

In 2019, Ontario saw 127,345 direct applicants, representing a 0.7 per cent decrease province-wide from 2018. While colleges across the province are reporting decreases across most measurable data streams, Northern shows a 6 per cent positive enrolment growth alongside increases in every other measurable metric, leading all colleges in the province.

“The growth we have seen in these metrics this year confirms that prospective students have taken note of the program improvements, increased program options and major improvements to our facilities as we continuously strive to position Northern College as the preferred college for post-secondary education in the region,” stated Dr. Fred Gibbons, President and CEO

. “While studying at Northern, students find a rich learning environment that promotes experiential learning, the opportunity to engage in applied research; and upon graduation the prospect of well-paying jobs or the opportunity to pursue one of the Northern’s many pathways to further post-secondary studies.”

Over the past few years, Northern has also placed focus on updating both its admissions and recruitment efforts to better connect with an increasingly digitally minded student base.

“Northern College has a strong reputation for student success and student centered approaches. We have expanded our efforts in recruitment to include directed approaches, high quality communications at key times in the decision making process, and enhanced social media to build the relationship with our new students. We have also been evaluating our efforts every step of the way to adjust as needed,” stated Dr. Audrey Penner, Vice President Academic and Student Services.

“We want students to find the program of their choice, and to be successful in that program, Northern College’s recruitment efforts are focused upon that premise.”

These efforts to broaden interest in a Northern College post-secondary education have involved an emphasis on aligning all facets of the recruitment, application and confirmation processes under a coordinated brand identity.
“Northern College continues to increase its presence not only within our catchment communities, but across the province. This increased presence has not only been in marketing and advertising, but also in student recruitment efforts” stated Jaret Dicks, Manager of Marketing, Communications, Student Recruitment and Alumni.

“Promoting our unique programs, services, campuses and communities at school presentations and educational fairs throughout the year allows our recruitment team to established strong student leads, along with strengthening our relationships and on site presence at our partner secondary schools. Our recruiters go even further to promote the great opportunities local students have here as a student outside of the class, and afterwards as a graduate, and to students on why they should come north for an unparalleled college education.”

Northern College is committed to exploring new options to reach potential students, ensuring to provide them the best post-secondary education and experience possible.

Filed under: Local News