Internal Highlight • Humber Campus Tour

Wali and Vince speaking to potential students at the Humber Campus Tour

The future of disaster recovery in Canada is looking brighter than ever! This spring, ARS/Global Emergency Management teamed up with Humber College on an exciting initiative to cultivate the next generation of restoration leaders. Read on to learn about our collaborative campus tour and the launch of the groundbreaking Disaster Recovery Management (DRM) Program. 

 “Participating in the Humber Campus Tour was a refreshing and energizing experience. It was great to be out with the team, sharing what we do in a collaborative setting where everyone contributed from their area of expertise.”  - Donny Cooze 

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PART 1: The Tour

Partnering to Shape the Next Generation of Disaster Recovery Leaders 

This spring, ARS/Global Emergency Management proudly joined Humber College for a three-stop campus tour designed to launch and promote an exciting new educational pathway: the Disaster Recovery Management (DRM) Program. With disasters on the rise across Canada and beyond, this program marks a timely and important step toward preparing the next generation of restoration professionals. 

The initiative, spearheaded by Associate Dean John McNeil, is the first of its kind in Ontario and creates a unique bridge between education and industry. It offers individuals—from recent graduates to tradespeople to professionals seeking a career change—a meaningful, in-demand path into the disaster recovery field. 

PART 2: Bringing Real-World Insight to the Classroom 

Our ARSGEM team explaining the industry basics to potential DRM Program students

During the campus events at Lakeshore, North Campus, and the International Graduate School, our ARSGEM team—Renee, Wali, Donny, Vince, and Mike—joined students and faculty to share real-world stories, insights, and experiences from the front lines of emergency management and property restoration. Painting a picture of a bright future in the industry that is filled with opportunity.  

Through our presentation and one-on-one conversations, students learned about the breadth of restoration services, the importance of rapid response, and skills utilized when addressing the impact of a disaster. We focused on Industry Understanding, Career Trajectory, Professional Insights and how we are Supporting the Program. 

PART 3: This Program Matters 

The Disaster Recovery Management Program fills a significant gap in education and workforce readiness. As the demand for restoration professionals continues to climb—driven by climate change, urban development, and increasingly severe weather—this program offers a direct route to stable, purpose-driven careers.  

Every year we are experiencing an increase in disasters, from wildfires, urban flooding, tornadoes, and high-wind storms. The growing impact of these disasters has led to a surge in insurance claims, with 228,000 claims filled in 2024— a 406% increase compared to the previous 20-year average. These factors point to the need to develop a qualified workforce and the DRM Program is doing exactly that. 

PART 4: Voices from the Field 

Our field experts, Wali and Renee, sharing their industry insights

What set these tours apart was the opportunity for students to hear firsthand what a career in this industry really looks like. Our team shared how they entered the field, what skills have served them well, and what it means to work in a profession that helps people in their greatest time of need. 

“Participating in the Humber College Campus Tour felt deeply personal, like sharing the culmination of a 13-year journey with hopeful students standing at a potential crossroads.” - Wali Rahnumah 

 “The real-world insights shared truly highlight the value of bridging education with industry experience, something I wish I had access to as a student, as it would have sparked my interest in pursuing this field.” - Renee Chiasson 

Our team was energized by the experience, and it was especially rewarding to witness the engagement and curiosity sparked by Wali and Renee’s stories. Seeing our team connect with students in such a meaningful way reaffirmed the importance of mentorship and the lasting impact these early interactions can have on future careers. 

PART 5: A Bright Future 

Careers in disaster restoration are not always at the forefront of someone's mind. One of our objectives was to bring insight into the earning potential, available career paths and the in-demand nature of the business now and in the future.

Vince Wong explaining the career path within the restoration industry.

As part of ARSGEM’s frontline recruitment efforts, Vince Wong brought valuable insight into what today’s job seekers—and tomorrow’s leaders—can expect from a career in restoration. He emphasized the importance of going beyond job titles to understand the true scope and impact of the work: 

 “Students often have a limited or inaccurate understanding of the careers they hear about in class or online. Events like these give them the chance to hear directly from professionals in the field, offering real insight into day-to-day roles and the broader opportunities available within the industry.” - Vince Wong 

PART 6: Looking Ahead

We extend our sincere thanks to Humber College and Associate Dean John McNeil for not only envisioning but driving this initiative forward. Their leadership in launching the DRM program and organizing this tour has opened doors for countless future professionals—and we’re honoured to be part of it.  

ARSGEM and Humber College team members celebrate this successful event

At ARS/Global Emergency Management, we believe in mentorship, collaboration, and investing in the future of our industry. This program, and the students it inspires, are proof that the future of disaster recovery is in good hands. 

As Michael Henton shared during the tour, the opportunity to speak directly with students was a powerful reminder of why this work matters: 

“I was most excited to share insights into the diverse career opportunities that exist at ARS/Global Emergency Management and the broader restoration sector. It was important to illustrate how a meaningful, impactful career can grow alongside the dynamic expansion of a recession proof industry.” - Michael Henton 

We at ARS/Global Emergency Management are incredibly proud to support Humber College's innovative Disaster Recovery Management (DRM) Program – a vital step in cultivating the next generation of restoration experts! The campus tour was a fantastic opportunity to connect with bright, motivated students, and we eagerly anticipate meeting many of them as they embark on their careers. 

 To learn more about this crucial program and the opportunities it offers, visit https://business.humber.ca/programs/disaster-recovery-manager.html