In memory of a founder and colleague, Hartley Nichol

It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to one of our founding members, and a pioneer of the private career college sector, Hartley Nichol. Mr. Nichol passed away this month and will be sorely missed by his colleagues and friends who knew him for his passion and energy in devoting thousands of volunteer hours to the sector he loved.

In 1973, Hartley Nichol was one of the founders of the Ontario Association of Career Colleges (now Career Colleges Ontario). He also served as the president of National Association of Career Colleges, and was the long-time owner of RCC Institute of Technology. Throughout his career, Hartley represented the private career college sector on many postsecondary boards and committees, including:

• National Education Organizations Committee to the Canadian Labour Force Development Board

• Education and Training Reference Group  to the Ontario Training and Adjustment Board

• Canadian Alliance of Education/Training Organizations

• National Advisory Group on Student Financial Assistance

For his tireless work and unwavering dedication, in 2012 Hartley was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal recognizing his contribution to the career college sector.

Hartley is survived by his wife, Peggy, his four children, Geoff, Greg, Cristy, and Tara, and his three grandchildren, Piper, Stevie and Hartley Parker.

Our condolences go out to Hartley’s wife Peggy who served on the CCO Board for several years, and Greg and the rest of the Nichol family on this very sad occasion.