Business + Higher Education Roundtable

What does it take to navigate some of the biggest productivity challenges in Canada? The agenda for BHER’s first public event dives into examples of ingenuity and collaboration that matter for leaders and decision makers. Check out what you can expect at Messy Middle: How Business + Higher Education are Getting Hard Things Done in Canada here: https://lnkd.in/gMMC6xxw 

BHER funded WIL partner University of Waterloo - United College is equipping students to solve real-world problems and launch new products and services that generate social impact. “BHER’s support has allowed us to create over 800 work-integrated learning opportunities, particularly benefiting students from equity-deserving groups. By bridging the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application, BHER funding has not only enhanced student learning outcomes but also strengthened community ties and contributed to addressing pressing social challenges both locally and globally.” -Tania Del Matto, Director of GreenHouse, a social impact incubator at United College. Learn more about our initiatives: https://lnkd.in/e4uPKmwr Erin Hogan

BHER member Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology connected students to industry, government, and community partners through hands-on projects that culminated in a December showcase featuring over 80 projects and 30 judges in computer science, engineering, media, hospitality, and healthcare! Algonquin College President & CEO Claude Brule opened the showcase event. The winning teams contributed innovative and practical implementations in fields like machine learning, conservation, immigrant experiences, and community health and nursing — which goes to show the power of student talent to solve real-world challenges when given the opportunity to work with industry. https://bit.ly/3ZSLnnw

BHER’s Director of Partnerships & Experiential learning Andrew Bieler contributed our WIL expertise to Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC)’s recent report on how experiential learning is crucial for industries with skilled labour shortages like agriculture and food & beverage manufacturing. Read the report to learn about the current and future landscape for student talent in the agriculture and food sector, and why we need more WIL: https://lnkd.in/gesisX8F

What’s the secret to tackling our toughest productivity challenges? BHER’s first public event takes a look at the Messy Middle: How Business + Higher Education are Getting Hard Things Done in Canada on February 12, 2025. Joining us will be leaders and decision makers from across industry, post-secondary, and government who are committed to working together to solve Canada’s productivity challenges. If this sounds like you, we would love to see you there. Check out the event and registration details here: https://lnkd.in/gThHhzbr 

Investing in students helps employers find the talent they need, while also improving social outcomes for young people and strengthening the communities they live and work in. Earlier this month, BHER brought together leaders from British Columbia to talk about what this investment looks like in their region. Speakers from BHER member TELUS and the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation, BHER WIL partner Wayble, and collaboration partners like CACEE / ACSEE and local SME EIM TECHNOLOGY talked about the role of mentorship in student development, cross-sector collaboration, and leaning on communities and resources that already exist to build capacity for more students and employers to access WIL. Watch the video on demand to see how the lessons they’ve learned can apply to your own skills and talent development programs in BC and beyond: https://lnkd.in/gaeEdfK6

BHER is pleased to welcome First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv) to our growing membership of post-secondary and business leaders committed to tackling Canada’s biggest skills, talent, innovation, and productivity challenges. It’s an exciting time for FNUniv as they launch their Career Centre and Work-Integrated Learning Initiative, and as they establish the National Indigenous Economic Prosperity Institute (NIEPI) to ensure progress towards the National Indigenous Economic Strategy’s Calls to Economic Prosperity. “FNUniv and the BHER members have a similar commitment to preparing pathways to success that will strengthen society and Canada overall,” says Jacqueline Ottmann, President of the First Nations University of Canada “Ensuring that Indigenous students transition successfully into the workforce and enacting economic reconciliation are tangible means to meeting these goals.”  Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gwY79kJw

We hear employers say that they’re not just looking for technical knowledge when they hire students and new grads. They’re also looking for experience, social-emotional skills, and the right attitude. Work-integrated learning (WIL) remains one of the best ways to gain all three. Students surveyed after participating in a BHER WIL program say that: ➡️ 90% feel optimistic about achieving success in the workforce. ➡️ 86% think their BHER WIL opportunity helped prepare them for the workforce. ➡️ 86% experienced improved problem solving skills; 85% improved communication skills; and 86% improved critical thinking skills.

Thank you to Business + Higher Education Roundtable (BHER) member Passage, specifically Martin Basiri & Iman Hassani, for an invite to the Canadian Club Toronto event featuring The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada / Immigration, Réfugiés et Citoyenneté Canada. Minister Miller has a tough portfolio right now. In his words: “I’m not paid to have easy conversations.” BHER and its members are keen to talk about solutions and next steps, especially in helping to connect international talent to training programs aligned with labour market needs.

New BHER member Seneca Polytechnic is investing in their career support office, Seneca Works, to strengthen their strategic approach to connecting students to industry. Their pledge to have every student participate in experiential learning by 2026 aligns perfectly with BHER’s 100% WIL commitment, generously supported by the Government of Canada. “Our new BHER membership enables us to enhance our commitment to experiential learning and support our ability to match students with top employers,” says David Agnew, President of Seneca Polytechnic. “We offer students what they need to be career-ready and world-ready. Through our BHER membership and other activities, Seneca Polytechnic will continue to ensure our students are prepared with the skills needed for successful careers.”