THUNDER BAY – NEWS – StayNorth, a collaboration of the six Northern Ontario colleges, is busy preparing for 2016 spring graduations. StayNorth is working to assist graduates in staying in Northern Ontario, through job matching. “Graduation is only a few months away for many students and finding employment is a concern for some. StayNorth is helping to take employment worries away for qualified students” said Dr. Ron Common, President of Sault College.
Our statistics indicate Northern Ontario continues to suffer from youth migrating away for education and employment. StayNorth is offering students an opportunity to finish their education in the North and to start their career in the North. The StayNorth initiative is part of a cooperative effort by the six Northern Ontario colleges through their Study North Initiative.
“Study North Initiative, is designed to encourage southern Ontario students to undertake their college education in one of our six Northern Ontario colleges. StayNorth, as part of this campaign, is working with employers to secure employment for grads, to keep them in the North” said Alex Rogerson, StayNorth Employment Liaison Officer.
StayNorth works with employment agencies, employer groups, individual employers, recruitment agencies, municipalities, chambers of commerce and other organizations across various sectors to secure job opportunities for recent grads. StayNorth helps match students and employers to fill employment gaps.
“Employers can have difficulty finding qualified employees and new grads aren’t always sure how to go about finding employment in their field. StayNorth helps on both counts” said Rogerson.
Students register at www.staynorth.ca and are matched with employers across Northern Ontario, based on their personal location specifications and job interests. Employers are able to tap into this pool of students by posting jobs at www.staynorth.ca. If a student’s location and job interest match, an introduction is made between the employer and student.
With colleges competing for new students, employers searching for new talent and graduates searching for suitable employment opportunities upon graduation, the timing couldn’t be better for Study North and StayNorth. The six Northern Ontario colleges offer a wide array of course options which will prepare students for the work place. StayNorth helps ensure the work place is accessible for grads and help employers access the skilled employees they need.
“This is a win, win, win situation. A win for colleges through increased enrolment, a win for students via employment upon graduation and a win for employers by helping them secure qualified employees” said Common.
In a challenging economy it is good to know the six Northern Ontario colleges are working together to create long term opportunities for students. StayNorth is proving to be an important element in promoting the North and keeping recent grads in the North for the long term.
