Northern College president Fred Gibbons is new chair of Colleges Ontario

TORONTO, July 5, 2016 /CNW/ - Colleges Ontario is pleased to announce that Fred Gibbons, the president and CEO of Northern College, has begun a two-year term as the new chair of Colleges Ontario, the advocacy organization for Ontario's 24 colleges.

He assumes the role as colleges continue to champion a number of issues to strengthen the province, including apprenticeship reform, implementing new measures to produce a more highly skilled workforce, and the role that colleges can play to support Ontario's move to a cleaner economy.

"The career-focused programs at our colleges are Ontario's competitive advantage," Gibbons said. "Our ongoing efforts to strengthen college education will create more vibrant communities and help greater numbers of young people find meaningful employment."

Since July of 2009, Gibbons has been leading Northern College's efforts as president and CEO and has been instrumental in positioning Northern as a trainer of choice for students, industry and community partners.

He spearheaded the Porcupine Campus expansion campaign that saw the construction of Northern's Centre of Excellence for Trades and Technology. As well, he has forged partnerships that have moved the college forward while benefiting communities within the college's catchment area.

The chair of Colleges Ontario oversees the college sector's Committee of Presidents, which is comprised of presidents from all 24 colleges. The committee is responsible for a wide range of decisions affecting research, advocacy, communications and marketing, and much more.

"This is an exciting and critical time for Fred to be stepping into the chair's position," said Linda Franklin, the president and CEO of Colleges Ontario. "More than ever, the province is looking to the colleges to help people make successful transitions from the education system to the workplace."

Gibbons takes over the chair's role from Seneca College president David Agnew.

"David was an enthusiastic and unwavering champion for Ontario's college system during his term," Franklin said. "We thank him for working so tirelessly and for his many successes in advancing quality college education across the province."

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SOURCE Colleges Ontario

For further information: Amy Dickson, Manager, Media Relations and Communications, Colleges Ontario, 647-258-7686, dickson@collegesontario.org

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www.collegesontario.org