Bridging program gives real-world experience
ACCES Employment bridging programs see internationally trained professionals solve real-world problems for employers
Karan Dube landed in Canada with eight years of experience in sales and marketing and a professional focus on project management. Looking for an opportunity to find a job in his field, he looked into bridging programs and joined the sales and marketing connections program at ACCES Employment, which supports internationally trained professionals with entering the job market by mobilizing their experience and providing them with a Canadian context for their skills.
As a part of program, Dube and his classmates were challenged to solve a real-world business problem put forward by an employer. The project Dube worked on involved developing a roadmap for the launch, promotion and market establishment of a specialty bread imported from Brazil to Canada.
“I gained first-hand insight into working in Canada in a collaborative team environment. The live project gave me the opportunity to interact with an employer and I gained knowledge and experience with Canadian business practices,” says Dube.
Real-world business problems are key to the success of experiential learning, and employers play an integral role in the initiative.
“Employers get a chance to see the benefits of hiring internationally trained talent and get exposed to new creativity,” says Peter Hawkins, managing director of Mellowhawk Logistics. Hawkins also views the opportunity as a way for candidates to gain valuable insight into the Canadian workplace and the sectors they’d like to work within. “Experiential learning is a key component for success in the labour market for foreign-trained candidates. Candidates see what skills are truly valued by Canadian employers and this can open the candidate’s eyes to a wide array of targetable companies.”
More than 82 per cent of ACCES Employment’s bridging program graduates find employment that reflects their skills and experience. “The initiative represents an innovative approach in the employment services sector, one that will provide important practical experience to help newcomers find work that reflects their skills and experience. This learning will make a real difference when a candidate is meeting an employer and can speak to the practical aspects of their job more easily,” says Allison Pond, president and CEO, ACCES Employment.
For Karan Dube, starting his job search with this experience makes him feel more prepared for the journey to come. “I feel like this project has strengthened my positioning in the job market. It adds to my resumé and I feel like I’m ready to start my job search and meet with employers.”