Yukon College is welcoming potential students today to come and see what it has to offer.

The Spotlight on Yukon College is an open house for high school students, their parents, teachers and the general public.

Students from four Whitehorse high schools are visiting the college during school hours today.

Some high school classes in the communities also planned to bring students to the Ayamdigut campus in Whitehorse.

Most schools were to bring their Grade 10 students as part of the Careers and Personal Planning (CAPP 10) course.

'Over the last few years, the college has been working with the high schools to communicate to students that Yukon College is an excellent choice for post-secondary education, whether that be university studies or employment-related programs,' Shane Wilson, the co-ordinator of the Spotlight event, said this week.

'It's gratifying that the schools are ready to use class time to expose students to the wide variety of programs and courses at the college.'

The college is expecting to host more than 350 high school students during the day.

Students from F.H. Collins Secondary School began their day at the college at 9:00 this morning, while students from Vanier Catholic and Ecole Emilie-Tremblay arrived at 10:30 a.m. and Porter Creek students began their visit at about 12:30 p.m.

Each group of students is being welcomed by senior college officials.

They are also hearing from Samantha Darling, a Yukon College graduate from a two-year Arts and Science program. Darling transferred to the University of Lethbridge in Alberta; she will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree next fall.

Darling will be talking about her Yukon College experience and how it prepared her for university.

There are two aspects to the open house. The college gym is laid out like a trade show, with booths featuring the wide range of college programs.

Staff are on hand to discuss courses and answer questions. College students are conducting small group tours through the buildings, drawing attention to the trade shops, cafeteria, lounges, labs, computer services, classrooms, lecture halls, bookstore, library and residences.

'We are hoping that senior high school students will attend the open house in the late afternoon or evening, perhaps with their parents,' said Wilson.

'Grade 12 students in particular are weighing their options carefully. It's important that they know what the college has to offer.'

The Spotlight on Yukon College open house is on until 7:00 this evening.