RCC Institute of Technology

RCC Institute of Technology (RCC) was founded as the Radio College of Canada in 1928, making it one of the oldest private technology institutions in Canada. It is also the only private educational institute in Ontario to be approved by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities to grant bachelor's degrees. In 2018, Yorkville University acquired RCC Institute of Technology. It was amalgamated with Yorkville to become Yorkville University/Ontario.

Radio College of Canada (RCC) was founded in 1928 by J. C. Wilson, who had previously amassed considerable radio experience in England and the United States. At the same time he established RCC Publications, which continues to supply technical data to service technicians in Canada.

In 1930, as reported by The Globe newspaper, Rogers-Majestic Corporation and Radio College of Canada established a plan for registering radio servicemen of the entire Dominion. Examining and qualifying those who wished to become registered became RCC's role.

In 1937 the college was acquired by R. Christopher Dobson. Shortly thereafter, additional and more advanced training programs were added, including courses in commercial radio operation. During this period the demand for radio operators increased sharply with the growth in aviation; consequently large classes of radio operators were trained for the Federal Department of Transport.

In the 1940s Canada's contribution to the World War II effort required immediate and large-scale planning to ensure an adequate and continuing supply of well-trained technicians and operators. Training for Canada and allied governments was performed for essential services such as government departments, Merchant Marines, and, of course, the important manufacturing industry. Radio College established additional facilities and developed specialized training programs for the purpose.

Several classes of women radio operators for the air stations established across the country by the Commonwealth air training scheme were trained. The students, who came from all parts of Canada, were selected by aptitude tests developed by the college. Radio College also furnished room, board, nursing and general supervision. After the war the college did extensive rehabilitation training for Canadian and United States veterans, and later for civilians under government auspices.

Many Merchant Marine graduates of RCC have later requested from the college proof of their graduation and marine placement, thereby entitling them to the federal pension recently^[when?] granted to World War II members of the Merchant Marine.

When television started in the 1950s, the college trained factory and service personnel. The college developed^{[citation needed]} a new concept in electronics education, electronic engineering technology, a high-level program designed to train "technologists" who would be equipped to assist professional engineers in matters of applied technology, thereby releasing the engineer for matters requiring more engineering expertise, a concept that exists today in most post-secondary technical institutes.