NIAGARA COLLEGE
Canada's first cannabis grads make history at Niagara College Spring Convocation

Cue the pomp and circumstance: Canada just gained its first cannabis graduates.

On June 20, the first cohort of 23 students from the NC's trailblazing Commercial Cannabis Production graduate certificate program were among 600 graduates to cross the stage on day four of NC's 2019 Spring Convocation ceremonies. The first of its kind in Canada, the program was launched in the fall of 2018 to meet a significant demand for qualified, professional workers in Canada's pioneering cannabis industry.

"This is a historic moment for our College and for postsecondary education in our country. We are proud to celebrate the first graduates in Canada to earn a postsecondary credential in Commercial Cannabis Production," said NC president Dan Patterson. "This is a testament to how our pre-emptive College responds to industry needs and trends, and these highly skilled graduates will help to drive the growth of this important industry sector."

"It feels amazing to be in the first ever graduating class," said new Commercial Cannabis Production graduate Rob Clements, who will be working as a grow lead at London-based licensed producer Indiva. "I get to go out into the workforce with a credential that only 23 people have."

The cannabis graduates were among 300 new graduates from NC's School of Environment and Horticultural Studies, as well as the School of Technology Studies, celebrated at the morning ceremony. Guest speaker Carolyne Watts, plant manager of General Motors in St. Catharines and a member of the Niagara College Board of Governors, was presented with an Honorary Bachelor Degree in Applied Studies and delivered the convocation address.

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