Kendall Gallagher was doing her best Saturday to sell Niagara College's paramedic program to a prospective students.

"I was telling her how much I was enjoying it and love how we learn things in class and apply it in labs," Gallagher said after wrapping up her pitch to Alyssa Michaud, a Grade 12 student at Jean-Vanier Catholic school in Welland.

Michaud was impressed with what the first-year paramedic student had to say, but was still weighing her options.

"I am thinking about nursing or becoming a paramedic," she said. "I'm not 100 per cent sure which but I am exploring my options."

Gallagher was one of an expected 2,000 people - potential students and their families - to come to the Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake campuses during the college's fall open house. Visitors toured the campuses and labs and talked to faculty and students in the school's more than 130 programs.

Finnlay McNaughton visited the Welland campus from Hamilton.

"I'm not really sure to be honest. I'm thinking something business related," he said when asked if there was a specific program he was looking for.

Added his mom, Finnlay's mom, Marg McNaughton, "There's lots of options available."

Open houses are held twice a year - spring and fall. Shelley Panetta, associate director of marketing for the college, said the events are part of the college's recruitment efforts.

"Everyone at the college gets on board," she said. "Students, faculty, staff. We have recruiters working with high schools and employment centres."

That's because with today's employment climate, college has become a part of the fabric for workers looking to upgrade skills or change careers.

"We're making sure we're including everything in the mix," Panetta said.

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