#norcat

KITTIES

 “I want Papa’s job! I want Papas job, because all he does all day is sit at his computer and play games, and swipe his card!”

Last December, my grandfather was inducted into the SAMSSA Hall of Fame. And I had the honour of speaking about my true inspiration, my grandfather. 

Over the years, my Papa has been defined by many different characteristics, in my opinion, being a visionary has been the most accurate. My Papa had a vision, and with this vision he created an innovative solution to what many people in Northern Ontario were struggling with. March 31st 1995 marked a great moment in Northern Ontario history. My Papa founded the Northern Centre for Advanced Technology, NORCAT. Many people within the Sudbury area saw a problem; the youth population was migrating elsewhere to find employment. My Papa was among the individuals who recognized this problem, but instead he came up with a solution. NORCAT was created with every intention of creating jobs through innovation, bringing the youth back to Northern Ontario, and giving them meaningful jobs. Having attended and graduated from the same university as my papa, which seemingly was located outside of Northern Ontario, NORCAT was the exact reason that brought me back to Sudbury.

My Papa recognized that Sudbury had the potential to become a leader in Health and Safety, not just regionally, but globally. This leadership would work towards implementation of new health and safety training programs across industries. He helped spearhead new delivery methods of training that would become extremely influential throughout the Northern Ontario region. Within the first few years of operation, NORCAT was able to deliver the first eLearning programs in the mining industry and in the following years, they had also created an extremely successful and recognized brand across industries.

From the basement of Cambrian College, to not just one building but two, and almost 20 years later, NORCAT has grown its facilities to over 70,000 square feet. The centre has been utilized by clients, long-term residents, training and development services, incubator and event space. NORCAT also has one of the first operating mines dedicated to training. This unique facility has helped over 1000s of workers prepare to enter the workforce, create their own path through business, or gain the experience they need to become successful.

Throughout his career, not only did my Papa put his heart and soul into his work, he also actively participated in committees. A few of them being, the Premiers Council Jobs and Prosperity (alongside Mr. McGinty), the Conference Board of Canada, Innovation Committee, Mining Services and Supply committee, the Ontario Science and Innovation Council (alongside Mr. Harris), and currently sits on the Board of Regents for the University of Sudbury. He has also received the Community Builders Award for Economic Development, and in 2012 the prestigious Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Spring of 2012, my Papa retired. Not only had NORCAT been his career for over the past fifteen years, it had also been his passion, his baby, and his life. But luckily enough, that vision he first shared about the direction he wanted to take his organization, has successfully been carried on. Not only, did my papa showcase his vision to Northern Ontario, he shared it with his employees.