Overview
The Industry Partner Engagement Toolkit is an open educational resource that aims to support Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Services teams – Employment Coordinators, Facilitators, and Marketers in post-secondary institutions (PSI’s) – to build upon their industry partner engagement initiatives. Industry’s role in WIL is critical, and, therefore, engagement with industry partners is essential.
As labor markets continue to shift rapidly, organizations increasingly need workers with different skills and experiences. COVID-19 has only added to this challenge and accelerated digitization and automation. WIL departments and teams have an opportunity to play an increased role in shaping the evolving job landscape through supporting small and medium-sized businesses to engage with student talent. Developing quality WIL experiences in partnership with industry is essential for creating the skilled workforce Canada needs.
This resource and the tools it contains are designed to support increased connection and engagement between PSI’s and industry. The toolkit’s employer-centric focus aims to decrease the complexity of such a partnership and increase the uptake of involvement in WIL. By providing usable tools, WIL departments and teams are able to better understand the employer’s perspective, thus bringing more awareness of the benefits of WIL to industry and providing individual employers with the personalized information they need to break down the barriers to WIL participation.
Surveys and studies have identified the following barriers and challenges potential employers face when considering involvement in WIL:
- Associated cost
- Insufficient resources and support
- The complexity of partnering with post-secondary institutions
- Limited, confusing information about WIL
Industry’s role in WIL is critical, and, therefore, engagement with industry partners is essential.
PHILLIPSKPA, 2014
Using the Toolkit
Employment Facilitators, Co-op Coordinators, WIL Staff, Co-op & Career Services Teams
The Industry Partner Engagement Toolkit is organized into three sections and a Resource Hub. The tools contained in this resource are designed to stand alone and can be found in the Resource Hub, while also organized into sections that progress sequentially. Use the entire toolkit as a package or select individual tools, guides, worksheets, templates, planning workbooks, or resources that are most relevant to you.
Section one begins with an analysis of the external factors impacting employers on Vancouver Island in a post-pandemic economy and an assessment of your current employer relationships. Section two outlines setting objectives and crafting a communication strategy to increase industry partner involvement and support strengthening connections with academic institutions. Section three provides tools and tactics to create an integrated employer engagement plan that addresses key barriers to industry involvement.