PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Do you have a project or workload that requires additional staff resources to complete? Is your company looking for innovative and affordable ways to grow your talent pipeline and bridge knowledge gaps? If so, then a post-secondary student may be able to help! 

Student Talent Connect is a new initiative that assists Hamilton employers with accessing post-secondary student talent from McMaster University, Mohawk College, and Redeemer University. 

Whether you’ve hired students in the past, or are looking to learn more about local opportunities and how students can support your business growth, we’re here to support you. 

Student Talent Connect is a free program that does not require a membership to the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce to access.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Work-Integrated Learning, or WIL, is an umbrella term that describes opportunities businesses have to work with post-secondary students, such as internships, co-op and field placements. These structured placements prepare students for work while allowing employers to build their skill, talent, and innovation pipeline.  

Each term, McMaster University, Mohawk College, and Redeemer University are looking for employers to host talented post-secondary students through (WIL) opportunities. From paid work placements as part of a diploma or degree program, to more flexible unpaid co-curricular experiences, there are a variety of WIL opportunities available that vary in length, cost, and time commitment. 

To learn more about WIL, please see the following resources: 

Why Use WIL?

Utilizing WIL provides businesses a chance to expand their workplace capacity, while aiding students develop their employability skills: https://bher.ca/wil-hub/explore-wil/wil-101 

WIL Categories

Workplace integrated learning takes many approaches to ensure students are gaining valuable work experience. There are many emerging models of WIL that BHER supports: https://bher.ca/wil-hub/explore-wil/types-wil 

Employer Benefits

Employers are able to evolve through WIL by hiring innovative students, gain higher productivity in the workplace, and grow their business: https://bher.ca/wil-hub/explore-wil/employer-wil-benefits-a-glance

Success Stories

BHER’s initiative has lead to numerous success stories across Canada, through solving business problems, and building an innovative, resilient workforce: https://bher.ca/wil-hub/explore-wil/canadian-success-stories 

Your WIL Placement

BHER provides prospective employers with a self-assessment designed to help employers better understand their capacity and WIL category, based on their workplaces current capacity: https://bher.ca/wil-hub/explore-wil/find-your-wil

WIL student tasks range anywhere from taking on a specific project, or picking up the general workload in the office. While WIL students will look to work in their prospective field to enhance their skills and knowledge, students will take on various tasks based on your needs, as well as the nature of their placement. WIL students are highly motivated to learn and take on new challenges, and bring with them a valuable skillset. 

Through this project, employers can hire talented students from diverse pipelines and majors including: 

  • Business
  • HR
  • Advertising & Marketing
  • Journalism & Public Relations
  • Tourism
  • Engineering
  • Biotechnology
  • Kinesiology 

Student Talent Connect supports businesses in the Hamilton area. We encourage all interested SMEs from various industries and backgrounds to contact us and explore WIL opportunities. Together with our university and college partners, we’ll work to determine if there is a good fit for a student placement. If not, we’ll work to provide you with alternative options.

Employers may explore various funding opportunities and financial incentives to host a work-integrated learning student. Interested employers are encouraged to refer to the Ontario Co-operative Education Tax Credit, the Ontario Innovation Tax Credit, or the Student Work Placement Program to learn more about their eligibility.

Upcoming Employer Events

  • McMaster University Career Fair – September 19th, 2024

McMaster University will be hosting a career fair for students to meet local employers and learn more about their prospective field. Employers are welcome to register for a booth at the career fair and engage with student talent. Register here.

  • Mohawk College – Part Time Job Fair – September 25th, 2024

Mohawk College will be hosting a part time job fair for students seeking part time employment. Employer Registration is available here.

  • Student Talent Connect Event at McMaster Innovation Park – October 8th, 2024 

Student Talent Connect will be hosting an event in partnership with McMaster University, to engage with employers and students across Hamilton, and share educational programming. Register here.

  • Career + Calling – October 30th, 2024

Redeemer University will be hosting a career fair for students to meet local employers and learn more about their prospective field. Employers are welcome to register for a booth at the career fair and engage with student talent. Registration will be available here on August 1st, 2024.

  • Student Talent Connect event at Redeemer University – December 5th, 2024

Student Talent Connect will be hosting an event in partnership with Redeemer University, to engage with employers and students across Hamilton, and share educational programming. Registration is coming soon!

  • Connect to Careers –  March 4th, 2025 

McMaster University, Mohawk College and Redeemer University serve both employers and job seekers at Connect to Careers. Employers are able to set up booths and network with students, and potential employees. Registration is coming soon.

CONTACT US

Book a free consultation to learn about WIL and how it can assist your business. Start your journey today.

Student Talent Connect is a Hamilton Chamber of Commerce program in partnership with the Business + Higher Education Roundtable, and with support from the Government of Canada. Partners include McMaster University, Mohawk College, Redeemer University, and Workforce Planning Hamilton.