Canadian Business SenseAbility pilot project targets a unique approach to WIL opportunities for students with disabilities
TORONTO, Oct. 24, 2018 /CNW/ - In its commitment to increasing employment opportunities for students with disabilities, Canadian Business SenseAbility is launching Life After School. The pilot project is in partnership with Durham College of Applied Arts and Technology, Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology, and SenseAbility's network of inclusive employers. This project will connect students with disabilities at the college level with inclusive employers to provide Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities critical towards sustained labour market attachment beyond graduation. Unique to this pilot is the implementation of a non-resume-based job-matching platform for students with disabilities that will test for soft skills matched to employer needs.
"We are proud to partner with SenseAbility to provide meaningful experiential learning opportunities and connections with employers who realize the value in engaging future employees from differing backgrounds," says Elaine Fenner, Manager, Seneca Work-Integrated Learning.
"Collaborative partnerships such as this allows SenseAbility to support organizations with the training, tools and technology to solve for challenges pertaining to bias, stigma, disclosure, accommodations and accessibility, which may be creating barriers to successful employment experiences and business outcomes," adds Florence Chapman, CEO Canadian Business SenseAbility.
"Humber understands the importance of becoming accessible and inclusive for all. By partnering with SenseAbility the college is taking a step to becoming more accessible and inclusive of people with disabilities," says Nadia Araujo, Media Relations and External Communications Specialist.
SenseAbility graciously thanks the Government of Ontario for its leadership, commitment to innovation, and support in providing funding for this project. "By supporting connections between students with disabilities and inclusive employers, more students can gain the hands-on work experience they need to secure good jobs and make a meaningful contribution to Ontario's economy," says Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities.
We also thank our college, employer partners and technology partner, Going 180 Media Inc. for dedicating their expertise, passion for excellence, and valuable resources towards fulfilling the project objectives.
About Canadian Business SenseAbility
SenseAbility is a national, not-for profit organization dedicated to helping public and private-sector organizations become more accessible and inclusive of people with disabilities. It enables organizations to seize the immense workplace and business benefits of welcoming people with disabilities as employees, customers and investors.
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About Durham College of Applied Arts and Technology
At Durham College (DC), the student experience comes first. With campuses in Oshawa and Whitby and a learning site in Pickering, the college offers more than 13,600 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students access to more than 140 full-time and eight apprenticeship programs in a number of different disciplines, enabling them to develop the skills required to meet the demands of today's job market. The college has also launched its first four-year degree program, the Honours Bachelor of Health Care Technology Management, in September 2018.
The Oshawa campus features the state-of-the art Student Services building and the Centre for Collaborative Education, a legacy project tied to DC's 50th anniversary in 2017. The newly-opened facility brings together local, Indigenous and global communities, providing a new home for several of the college's most innovative and ground-breaking programs.
The Whitby campus features the award-winning W. Galen Weston Centre for Food, which includes Bistro '67, a full-service, teaching-inspired restaurant, and Pantry, a retail store featuring food prepared by students in the college's culinary programs.
For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.
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About Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
Established in 1967, Humber College is a global leader in polytechnic education. Combining in-depth theoretical learning and hands-on experience with applied research and extensive industry connections, Humber provides career-focused education to 33,000 full-time and 23,000 part-time and continuing education students across three campuses. The college offers a comprehensive range of credentials including honours undergraduate degrees, postgraduate certificates, diplomas, apprenticeships and certificates. More than four out of five Humber graduates are employed within six months of completing their studies. Visit humber.ca.
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About Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology
Combining career and professional skills training with theoretical knowledge, Seneca's expert faculty provide a polytechnic education to 30,000 full-time and 60,000 part-time students. With campuses in Toronto, York Region and Peterborough and education partners around the world, Seneca offers degrees, graduate certificates, diplomas and certificates in more than 300 full-time, part-time and online programs. Seneca's credentials are renowned for their quality and respected by employers. Co-op and work placements applied research projects, entrepreneurial opportunities and the latest technology ensure that Seneca graduates are highly skilled and ready to work. Find out more at senecacollege.ca. Follow us on Twitter.
Funded in part by the Government of Ontario
SOURCE Canadian Business SenseAbility
regarding Life After School, or to learn more about SenseAbility, please email [email protected]
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