workforce planning
Colleges have long played a key role in the development of workplace-ready talent,
but if you think this role is limited to technical training, think again. Today’s
colleges are leaders in experiential learning, applied research, innovation and soft
skills development. Working in close collaboration with industry and community
partners, colleges prepare graduates to hit the ground running in fields ranging from business
to culinary arts and design to health care. Whether you’re looking for fresh talent,
research and development support or ways to address skill gaps in the workforce, partnerships
with colleges can help.
Although Canada is home to a vast array of colleges, we’re all united by one core mission:
bridging the gap between learners and employment. We’re constantly evolving to
meet the demands of the labour market, creating new programs that combine theoretical
knowledge with innovative applied learning methodologies. But we don’t do this alone.
Employers have a critical role to play in the development of college programs, courses and
curriculum – and their input benefits students and hiring managers alike.
Made up of industry and community partners as well as alumni and faculty, program
advisory committees contribute real-world insight to the planning process, ensuring that
course content is timely, relevant and reflective of industry trends. By joining a program
advisory committee, you can help identify and correct gaps in your industry, ensuring that
the skills you need are the ones colleges teach.
A recent employer survey conducted by George Brown College looked at which skills
were most in-demand, and how today’s colleges deliver on those needs. The research
found that, beyond technical skills, employers rate soft skills as the most important attribute
in new graduate hires, followed closely by education that integrates workplace
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Colleges:
Your Talent
Recruitment
Partner
EMPLOYERS PLAY A
CRITICAL ROLE IN THE
DEVELOPMENT OF
COLLEGE PROGRAMS
By Anne Sado
HRPROFESSIONALNOW.CA ❚ SPECIAL CONFERENCE EDITION 2017 ❚ 65