The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce it is working with the Business + Higher Education Roundtable and the Government of Canada to support Hamilton employers connect with local student talent.

This project, Student Talent Connect, will be completed in partnership with McMaster University, Mohawk College, Redeemer University and Workforce Planning Hamilton.

Chamber data shows that many Hamilton employers are seeking innovative, affordable, and accessible ways to grow their business while addressing knowledge gaps. There are also many misconceptions about work-integrated learning, resulting in companies either avoiding it, or being unsure where to start the process. Student Talent Connect is designed to fill those gaps and provide dedicated support to employers to break down those barriers to access.

Work-integrated learning helps build career pathways for students while helping businesses build their skills, talent and innovation pipeline. Through these experiences, students are able to gain relevant work experience in their field, accelerate their careers and enhance skill acquisition and future employability.

Work-integrated learning activities can take many forms, including both paid and unpaid opportunities as part of a diploma or degree program. Student Talent Connect promotes and offers a range of opportunities that include internships, co-ops, and field placements.

Interested employers are encouraged to visit StudentTalentConnect.com to learn more and schedule their consultation with our team.

This program is free to all Hamilton businesses and does not require a membership with the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce to access. Companies of all sizes are welcome to participate in the program, including but not limited to small and medium-sized businesses.

Quote from Greg Dunnett, President & CEO, Hamilton Chamber of Commerce

“Student Talent Connect is a great opportunity for Hamilton businesses, including small and medium enterprises to expand their capacity. This program will have a huge impact on our business community and provide another resource for businesses to sustainably grow. The Chamber is passionate about bringing innovative ideas to Hamilton’s business community and alleviating some of the burden our businesses face. We hope to diversify the talent pipeline in Hamilton and invite employers of all backgrounds to participate”

Quote from Dr. Cebert Adamson, Vice President, Academic, Mohawk College

“We look forward to supporting the success of students and Hamilton businesses through this innovative partnership. Mohawk College has been a leader in experiential learning for over 55 years, offering co-operative education as well as field, clinical, and practicum placements. These opportunities provide students with valuable hands-on experience prior to graduation and provide employers with job-ready talent for their organizations.”

Quote from Bruce Wilson, Director, Career Centre, Redeemer University

“As a university with more than 20% of our students involved in work integrated learning (internships and Co-ops), Redeemer is appreciative of this opportunity to grow with the Chamber.  I believe that along with Mohawk College and McMaster University we’re strengthening our city by building up the skills of our young people together and making the city a better, more productive place to work and live.”

Quote from Michelle Butcher, Interim Executive Director, Workforce Planning Hamilton

“Student Talent Connect is a great opportunity for both students and local businesses to support our Hamilton workforce ecosystem. Hamilton businesses stand to gain from the high-quality candidates supplied by our local post-secondary institutions. This program serves as a commendable means to support the talent and growth of local students within the community, thereby providing and strengthening support for Hamilton businesses.”

ABOUT THE BUSINESS + HIGHER EDUCATION ROUNDTABLE

The Business + Higher Education Roundtable (BHER) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization bringing together some of Canada’s largest companies and leading post-secondary institutions. Since 2015, BHER has worked to harness the strengths of Canada’s business and post-secondary education sectors to build opportunities for young Canadians, boost innovation and drive collaboration.

ABOUT THE HAMILTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Representing over 1,000 businesses and institutions that employ more than 75,000 people in Hamilton, Ontario, the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce is the city’s 179-year-old voice of business and a thought leader in commerce. In addition to helping provide solutions to the day-to-day challenges of its member businesses, the Hamilton Chamber provides leadership on city building initiatives that are designed to stimulate commerce and increase prosperity in the community.

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