In the 50th episode of the Ed Up Canada podcast, host Michael Sangster dives into a new series featuring interviews with members of the Royal Canadian Navy. This episode begins with an insightful discussion with Commander Jeff Anderson of the HMCS St. John's. The conversation highlights the camaraderie, exciting career opportunities, and unique experiences available in the Navy. Commander Anderson discusses the various roles aboard a ship, the comprehensive Naval Experience Program aimed at recruitment, and his personal journey within the Navy. Listeners are offered a firsthand look at life aboard a Navy vessel, the extensive training provided, and the leadership skills cultivated throughout a naval career.  

01:01 Celebrating the 50th Episode  

01:20 Introducing Commander Jeff Anderson  

02:26 Life on the HMCS St. John's  

06:19 Navy Careers and Opportunities  

11:07 The Naval Experience Program  

16:49 Commander Anderson's Career Journey  

25:10 Mentorship and Leadership in the Navy  

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In the 49th episode of the Ed Up Canada podcast, host Michael Sangster features Lisa Lovelady, VP of Academic and Chief Operating Officer of Academy Canada, discussing her dedication to education and leadership. Recorded in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, the podcast delves into Lisa's journey, the importance of public speaking skills, and the various programs offered by Academy Canada, including trades and applied learning. The conversation also highlights the significance of mentorship and the robust partnerships within the province's educational landscape. This episode provides insightful perspectives on the connection between training and career success, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in education and leadership. 

00:49 Meet Lisa Lovelady: VP of Academic and COO at Academy Canada 

02:45 Lisa's Passion for Education and Leadership 

06:03 Academy Canada's Programs and Campuses 

08:35 The Importance of Skilled Trades and Online Training 

14:06 The Value of Work Integrated Learning 

15:34 Lisa's Personal Journey and Skills for Success 

22:21 Mentorship and Career Development 

24:43 Newfoundland and Labrador: A Unique Place to Live and Work 

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In this episode of the Ed Up Canada podcast, host Michael Sangster welcomes James Stanger, Chief Technology Evangelist for CompTIA, to explore the journey of turning skills and training into lasting careers. The conversation covers James' unique role and his origins in the tech industry, the importance of psychometrics for fair examinations, and the significant role CompTIA plays in developing standardized curriculums for IT and cybersecurity training. The discussion extends to current job demands, the importance of continuous learning, the impact of AI, and international collaboration to address tech challenges and protect various sectors.  

00:48 Meet James Stanger: Chief Technology Evangelist for CompTIA 

02:17 The Role of a Technology Evangelist 

04:36 CompTIA's Approach to Education and Research 

06:22 The Importance of Cybersecurity and Job Demand 

10:38 Practical Advice for Cybersecurity and Technology Users 

19:22 The Impact of Regulations on Technology 

24:09 Mentorship and Personal Stories 

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In this episode of EdUp Canada, host Michael Sangster interviews Robin Day, the National Director of Academics at Herzing College. They explore the flexibility and benefits of online learning, the significant changes in educational delivery methods, and how career colleges cater to diverse student needs, especially single parents and working adults. Robin shares personal anecdotes and professional insights on the dynamic landscape of career education, the importance of practical hands-on training, and how regulatory frameworks support these educational institutions. The discussion also touches on meaningful student transformations and the value of mentorship and adaptability in education. 

01:06 Interview with Robin Day 

02:53 The Shift to Online Learning 

05:28 Changes in Student Demographics 

07:22 Program Trends at Herzing College 

11:51 The Importance of Practicums 

16:12 Herzing College Campuses and Offerings 

20:20 Personal Reflections and Mentorship 

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Bio 

Robin Day is a dedicated leader in career education with over 30 years of experience in private post-secondary education. As the National Director of Academics for Herzing College, Robin has played a pivotal role in curriculum development, policy innovation, and the advancement of student-focused learning models. 

In addition to their leadership at Herzing College, Robin serves as the President of the Manitoba Association of Career Colleges, advocating for the role of career education in workforce development and championing accessible, skills-based training for students. Passionate about the transformative power of education, he has been instrumental in initiatives that support underrepresented learners, including single parents, ensuring that career-focused education remains flexible, practical, and responsive to student and employer needs. 

In this episode of the EdUp Canada podcast, host Michael Sangster talks with Dr. Michael McAllister, the new COO at NACC, about the impact of career colleges in Canada. Mike shares his 26 years of experience at Herzing College and his commitment to the educational sector. In their conversation, Michael and Michael discuss:

• The role of internships in turning education into employment 

• The importance of strategic employer partnerships 

• And the need for regulated career colleges.  

02:04 Michael's Career Journey 

03:52 The Role of Career Colleges 

05:50 Mentorship and Leadership 

07:19 Student Success Stories 

12:15 Challenges and Resilience in Education 

19:19 The Importance of International Students 

21:11 Optimism for the Future 

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In this episode of the EdUp Canada podcast, host Michael Sangster welcomes back Dr. Jason Altmire, President and CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities (CQ). They discuss the intricacies of career education, the partnership between Canada and the United States in the sector, and the recent geopolitical tensions affecting both nations. The conversation also touches on the impact of political decisions on educational funding and the changing public perception of vocational training. The episode features insightful anecdotes, including the moving story of Darnell Epps, a former inmate turned Yale Law School graduate and skilled trades advocate. 

00:40 Welcoming Dr. Jason Altmire 

01:22 What is going on in the US and Canada 

09:18 Career Education and Political Climate 

14:40 Challenges and Opportunities in Career Education 

30:08 Cross-Border Collaboration and Future Outlook 

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In this episode of the EdUp Canada podcast, host Michael Sangster interviews Robin Graham, Director of People and Policy at Trillium College.  

In their conversation, they discuss  

Robin shares insights into Trillium College's unique approach to career coaching, student support, and the provision of hands-on, practical training in fields such as massage therapy, personal support work, and dental assisting.  

00:53 Guest Introduction: Robin Graham 

01:46 Robin's Career Journey and Role at Trillium College 

02:42 Compliance and Regulation in Career Colleges 

04:08 Admissions Process at Trillium College 

06:30 Career Coaching and Student Support 

08:30 Program Highlights: PSW and Massage Therapy 

11:56 Dental Assisting and Capital Investments 

15:44 Challenges and Misconceptions in the Sector 

16:47 Soft Skills and Student Success Stories 

18:30 The Importance of Career College Graduations 

26:02 Mentorship and Personal Reflections 

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Robin Graham is the Director of People & Policy at Trillium College and has worked there for the past 18 years in a variety of roles. Robin began her journey as the Campus Manager at the Kingston Campus when it was brand new, offering just two programs. Over time, she took on the role of Regional Director of Operations, overseeing four of eight campuses across the province and managing the complexities of multi-campus operations. When the Kingston Campus was acquired by an American institution, Beckfield College, she stepped into the role of Campus Director.  During this period, she furthered her education, earning a degree in human resources while continuing to work full-time. Recently, Robin shifted her focus away from operations to specialize in compliance—leading the exceptional academic team through the accreditation process for Trillium College’s Medical Lab Assistant Technician Program 

In this episode of the EdUp Canada podcast, host Michael Sangster interviews Dr. Rashaad Bhyat, Senior Clinical Leader at Canada Health Infoway. They discuss the transformative potential of generative AI in healthcare, the journey toward digital health interoperability in Canada, and the crucial role of specialized training for healthcare professionals. Dr. Bhyat shares insights on how career colleges can contribute to training the next generation of healthcare workers, the importance of digital tools in clinical practice, and the need for collaborative efforts among policymakers to achieve a patient-centric healthcare system.

01:19 Exploring Canada's Healthcare Landscape with Dr. Rashaad Bhyat 

04:06 The Future of Healthcare in Canada 

06:02 The Importance of Digital Health Records 

06:39 Challenges and Progress in Digital Health 

14:34 Training the Next Generation of Healthcare Professionals 

19:17 Personal Insights and Mentorship 

21:18 New Initiatives at Canada Health Infoway 

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An accomplished speaker, Dr. Rashaad has presented at numerous medical and digital health conferences with both national and international reach. He has authored a book chapter and published recent articles in peer-reviewed medical journals, including JMIR and Frontiers in Public Health. Additionally, he is a regular guest on the Infocast digital health podcast. 

In addition to his medical training, Dr. Rashaad has completed a Masters Certificate in Physician Leadership from York University’s Schulich School of Executive Management, a Certificate in Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare from McMaster University-NIHI, and executive education in Leading Digital Transformation at Harvard Medical School. 

Dr. Rashaad has a keen interest in medical education and has worked on initiatives to integrate health informatics into the medical curriculum, while also advising graduate students in both healthcare and business. As a consultant to digital health startups, he has advised numerous companies and provided expertise to international digital health agencies. Recently, he was honoured to be named to Enterprise Ireland’s Canada Healthcare Advisory Panel. 

With over 15 years of experience in family medicine, Dr. Rashaad has practiced in diverse settings, including rural and urban environments, and as a hospitalist. He currently practices in an EMR-enabled setting in Brampton, where he has been serving the community since 2007. 

and Allan Dale and Gerry Carew from Gale Force Wins join Michael Sangster to discuss the transformative impact of Canada's college system on students' lives and what they’ve learned in listening to dozens of stories. They dive into how Gale Force Winds approaches storytelling including the importance of authentic, unscripted conversations. Gerry and Allan also share their professional journeys, the significance of mentorship, and provide practical advice for capturing compelling stories in any sector. 

00:00 Introduction to EdUp Canada Podcast 

01:05 Meet Gerry Carew and Allan Dale 

03:35 Transformative Stories from the College System 

04:43 Healthcare Training and Impact 

09:44 Authentic Storytelling Techniques 

12:03 Memorable Interviews and Experiences 

29:12 Mentorship and Final Thoughts 

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Innovative Healthcare Education and Trust Building at Keyin College 

How do career colleges like Keyin innovate on healthcare programs? 

How do trust, patience and investment in education pay off in the long run 

What role do partnerships play in career education? 

Host Michael Sangster sits down with Craig Tucker of Keyin College in Newfoundland and Labrador to discuss all that, and also how the team has developed unique practicum programs and partnerships with the healthcare sector to ensure meaningful employment for graduates.   

00:00 Introduction to EdUp Canada Podcast 

00:54 Interview with Craig Tucker: Keyin College's Journey 

01:41 The Story Behind Keyin College 

05:11 Challenges and Successes in Career Colleges 

07:47 Building Trust and Partnerships 

13:12 Innovative Healthcare Programs at Keyin College 

19:20 Work Integrated Learning and Employment Success 

22:05 The Importance of Patience and Perseverance 

23:00 Urgency in Addressing Labor Shortages 

23:19 The Impact of AI on Job Markets 

23:44 Navigating Regulatory Challenges with Patience 

24:59 The Importance of Industry Collaboration 

25:49 Political Leadership and Local Impact 

28:21 Newfoundland's Hydro Deal and Economic Implications 

35:10 Mentorship and Its Lasting Influence 

40:48 Final Thoughts and Encouragement 

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