Meeting employer talent needs: one conversation, multiple skill sets

Employers now have a single touchpoint to draw on the talent pools at both OCAD U and Ontario Tech University. OCAD U’s Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers and Ontario Tech’s Career Centre have joined forces to meet the advanced needs of recruiters and collaborators. This uniquely coordinated approach between institutions means they can offer the opportunity to have one conversation about the full scope of employers’ needs, giving them access to the broadest possible range of talent solutions.

“There is growing interest amongst employers to hire multi-disciplinary talent. Our collaboration aims to help employers find this talent by bringing together and bundling the complementary programs and skills sets of our respective students,” said project lead Monica Jain, Director, Careers, Counselling and Accessibility, Ontario Tech University.

Employers are invited to connect with either of the career development teams at Ontario Tech or OCAD U. Specialized staff will take employers through a tailored, exploratory process which will add value to their recruitment drive by making comprehensive recommendations as to how they can engage with students and recent alumni across both institutions.

“With this approach, both employers and students can gain exposure to opportunities that may not have otherwise been available,” said project lead Zev Farber, Director, Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers, OCAD University.

An overview of this initiative is available online and a full website, including an employer needs assessment, will be going live this month. The partnership was featured at Ontario Tech University career fair on October 3 and will be featured again at their upcoming career fair on November 29. A variety of upcoming skill-sharing events will begin during the winter semester through to the annual Graduating Student Exhibition in May at OCAD U.