“I just feel more welcome…I would recommend this program”

Posted on Tuesday, August 19th, 2014

A program which offers Aboriginal students attending Algonquin College employment coaching is receiving a special Chair’s Award from the International Partnership Network (IPN).

“Having a successful first working experience, and postsecondary experience, is critical to having a successful career,” says Denyce Diakun, Director, Workforce and Personal Development. “The students who enroll in DevelopMENTOR are Aboriginal students who, prior to coming to Algonquin, did not have work or postsecondary experience. The program is designed to prepare them to be successful in paid part-time work opportunities with participating employers through customized, individual employment coaching. We are pleased to accept this award recognizing our success in connecting Aboriginal students and youth to employment opportunities in our area.”

The DevelopMENTOR program began as a partnership between Algonquin College Workforce and Personal Development, and Tim Hortons Canada. Students who enroll in the program are given training, coaching, and feedback to ready them for part-time work that fits within their academic schedule. So far, the DevelopMENTOR program has helped 30 Algonquin College students – students like Trent McEwen, who has just graduated the Pre-service Firefighter Education and Training program. “I joined this program because I was having trouble finding a job and knowing how to present myself in an interview…[DevelopMENTOR coach] Sylvie got me to the level where I needed to be and, after the interview, the feedback was good…I was proud that I had Sylvie’s help through the process..I would recommend this program to any Aboriginal first gen student that needs help finding a job or finding ways to talk to people in a work place environment.”

Construction Engineering Technician graduate David Assinewai had similar feedback, saying, “I feel the services provided by Sylvie are extremely valuable and have served me well, and will continue to serve me well in future career aspirations. There is a great deal students can learn from these workshops, and I hope every student takes full advantage.”

This special Chair’s Award marks the first time the IPN has given out such an award – the network specifically created a category in their annual Global Best Awards to specifically recognize Algonquin College and Tim Hortons Canada for the DevelopMENTOR program. In a letter to Diakun, Alex Blackwood, CEO for the International Partnership Network, indicated that the DevelopMENTOR program is, “of a standard that the judges feel needs to be recognized.”

The award will be given out at the 12th International Education Business Partnership Conference in Brussels, Belgium in September.


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