Joseph T. Norton Scholarship

TeKnoWave (a one year program) is based on a proven and successful foundation developed by its principle partner, Willis College. The academic standards used within TeKnoWave are high. The programs are based on solid adult education model developed and delivered successfully by TeKnoWave partners and are practically oriented and adapted to the Aboriginal community. It is essential that technical training be integrated with cultural and spiritual respect. Therefore, Aboriginal leadership and Cultural seminars are internal part of TeKnoWave training. It involves delivering TeKnoWave in a culturally appropriate manner and in settings conducive to enhance learning of complex technologies.

Working closely with the University of Winnipeg, Willis College, global industry certification providers, Aboriginal IT firms and Aboriginal leaders, we have designed the programs to best prepare students for jobs in the high tech field. TeKnoWave credits are recognized by the University of Winnipeg and can be applied against the first year of a Bachelors degree program (negotiations underway with several more Canadian universities – Queens U, Carleton U, Ottawa U, and First Nations U).

TeKnoWave integrates technical, university management and cultural elements form local elders as well as communication and presentation skills training in partnership with organizations such as Toastmasters.

The program offers successful graduates three choices: (1) immediate career opportunities in corporate Canada or Aboriginal communities, (2) opportunities to start new businesses, and (3) opportunities to continue university studies for an undergraduate degree.

TeKnoWave graduates receive 5 Pillar model benefits:

P1Accreditation and Certification
Willis College IT or Business Diploma, Industry Certification, such as A+, Sun, Microsoft, Cisco, Oracle Measures graduates IT skill knowledge & job readiness.
  
P2Private Sector Engagement
The private sector, including small, medium and large corporations, are involved to ensure that the curriculum is directly pertinent to local and national needs, thus providing seamless and smooth transition to the workforce. Particular emphasis is placed on local Aboriginal IT companies. Mentoring programs connect students to local IT professionals. Company visits, entrepreneur and business leader special presentations, Job banks and placement services are integrated in the program.
  
P3University, Career College and Cultural Program Integration
The blend of technical, business, cultural and advanced communications skills development at the university level responds to important requirements in today’s workplace, where soft skills and workplace essential skills are as important as technical specialization. This integration provides the graduate with a university certificate, develops workplace essential skills, and broader knowledge to support a service or consulting career, or to successfully face the challenges of entrepreneurship. Furthermore, the program addresses the need for the type of broadly skilled individual who is required to support community-based applications where there are no resources to engage specialized experts.
  
P4Credit Transfer and Lifelong Learning
An articulation mechanism, established between private and public education, enables successful graduates to transfer credits at the undergraduate level. Willis College’s 48-week IT curriculum has been evaluated and approved for degree credit transfer. The process puts in place the underpinnings of a lifelong learning infrastructure and encourages a culture of continuous learning. Combining a Willis’ IT program and the University of Winnipeg’s Management Certificate into a year-long program, provides TeKnoWave graduates with 27-30 university credits towards a degree in its Department of Business Computing & Administrative Studies.
  
P5Community Internship Program (CIP) Portfolio Rooted in the Community
TeKnoWave is delivered in both urban facilities and on-reserve. Partnership with local Friendship Centers ensures access to social support (e.g. day care, counseling). Partnership with local elders ensures spiritual support. Mandatory community internship program to apply what us being learned, gain experience, help communities understand importance of IT and put value back into the communities.