NorQuest’s Centre of Excellence in Intercultural Education Breaks Down Cultural Barriers
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Edmonton’s NorQuest College is attempting, through both language and customs, to break down the barriers that can exist when cultures have communication challenges.
NorQuest launched the Centre of Excellence in Intercultural Education in April 2009 with a goal of creating practical workplace solutions to improve communication skills and overcome cultural differences.
Located in the heart of downtown Edmonton, Norquest has more than 10,000 students working toward diplomas and certificates in a variety of fields. Approximately 60 percent of the students were born outside of Canada.
“We have a very strong purpose in that we integrate people who come from around the world quickly into the work and social fabric of Canada,” says Todd Odgers, the centre’s associate director.
Odgers says the centre develops customized training both for professional groups, such as those in engineering and accounting fields, and volunteer organizations that are located in Edmonton and beyond.
Through courses, on-site workshops and presentations, newcomers to Canada are given lessons on how to better understand the local language and customs. Conversely, Canadian-born workers are taught how to interact with the newcomers in a manner that will promote a strong working relationship.
“Because if you are going to integrate someone into your team, around communication and fitting in and working as a team, the Canadian side has to understand and have the capacity to work with them,” Odgers says. “So we work with the Canadian born as well as the newcomers to create a shared vocabulary and how they can work better together.”
Story by Cary Estes
