Colleges in Hamilton and Niagara have teamed up to reserve spots for pre-Health Sciences graduates in high demand programs not available at their institutions.
Mohawk College and Niagara College signed an agreement that creates dedicated learner spaces in high-demand programs, starting in the fall of 2025.
The collaboration is expected to enhance opportunities for students while addressing critical skill gaps in their local healthcare sectors.
As part of the agreement, Mohawk will reserve spaces for Niagara’s top graduates for several of its leading diploma programs including Cardiovascular Technology, Medical Radiation Sciences-Radiology, Medical Radiation-Ultrasonography and Biotechnology.
Niagara will provide guaranteed admission consideration to its Dental Hygiene and Paramedic for Mohawk’s top graduates. As both colleges develop and launch additional allied health programs the agreement can be expanded.
The focus of this new collaboration goes beyond academics; it ensures local impact by keeping talented students in their region throughout their programs and work placements, said Niagara College Vice-President of Academic Fiona Allan.
Niagara College Dental Clinic students
“Our new collaborative agreement with Mohawk College is a win for students, a win for our colleges and a win for our communities,” Allan said. “This creative solution enables us to respond expeditiously to critical staffing needs in our local healthcare sector, while forging new pathways for our pre-Health Sciences students into sought-after programs and careers.”
Where possible, work placements will be strategically located in each institution’s region and prepare students to meet the needs of their communities and address growing demands for skilled healthcare professionals, she added.
“This collaboration gives our pre-Health Sciences students exposure to diverse pathways to careers in healthcare while allowing them to live and work locally.”
The Niagara-on-the-Lake-based college had been looking for ways to support Niagara Health’s need for diagnostic imaging employees but launching new programs would take years, prompting school officials to meet with their counterparts at Mohawk.
“The agreement with Niagara College shows how colleges can leverage each other’s strengths to address critical workforce needs in our communities,” said Cebert Adamson, Vice President Academic at Mohawk. “This will help to address critical shortages in both communities while providing our pre-Health Sciences students with more opportunities upon graduation from their program.”
The collaboration is part of a larger commitment by Mohawk College to strengthen workforce development in Hamilton and the surrounding communities. It is the latest in a series of moves that includes the college announcing this past summer that it was expanding into Burlington, where there is growing demand for talent in areas like healthcare.
Mohawk College Radiation Sciences students
News of the articulation agreement is being applauded by the healthcare sector in Niagara and Hamilton.
“Niagara Health has strongly advocated for expanded medical imaging training opportunities, and we are delighted to have innovative partners answer our call for support,” said Simon Akinsulie, Executive Vice President of Practice, Clinical Support and Chief Nursing Executive, Niagara Health.
“With healthcare systems across Ontario facing an ongoing shortage of skilled professionals, this partnership between Niagara College and Mohawk College is a timely and impactful solution. By creating clear pathways for students in our region to enter in-demand fields, they are helping build a stronger foundation to address the health human resource challenges in Niagara.”
Hamilton Paramedic Services was also pleased with the agreement.
“The Hamilton Paramedic Service, like many ambulance services provincially, has faced challenges related to recruitment and retention within the service,” said Chief Michael Sanderson. “We have been advocating for greater access to paramedic training locally and see this agreement as a step in the right direction and one that will help build a stronger talent pipeline for our service.”
To explore information about Niagara College and Mohawk College pathways visit niagaracollege.ca/pathways and mohawkcollege.ca/pathways.