Colleges are well known for the practical education that they offer students. It’s in their DNA to be integrated with the communities they serve and as a result, students who study at a college can expect to have work-integrated learning experiences as part of their program of study. What students don’t see is the effort that is made to build curriculum that is relevant and meets the expectations of employers so that graduates are well prepared for the workplace.
A key part of the curriculum development process is gathering feedback from stakeholders. There is no group that is more important than a program advisory committee when it comes to taking the pulse of the industry. These committees are mandated for full-time college programs and are made up of individuals who have a vested interest in what is being taught in the classroom. They are often employers, entrepreneurs and organizational leaders who are in a position to hire graduates and because they come equipped with knowledge of the latest trends within their field, these subject matter experts are well-positioned to offer the college good advice.
Advisory committees normally meet two or three times a year. It is not an onerous commitment, but it is time well spent. Advisory committees are often involved in digging deeper into a program’s performance, reviewing critical data such as student retention and graduation rates, making recommendations on new courses or certifications that should be added to a program while also suggesting courses that should be discontinued, and offering feedback on partnerships that should be explored. Advisory committees can also play a major role in helping to promote programs, utilizing their connections within the community to share any changes to a program that will benefit businesses, such as adding co-operative education placements for students.
Committee members are very proud of the work that they do. The collaboration between these stakeholders and the college faculty and administration helps build a program’s reputation and can be very influential in decision making. Minutes from advisory committee meetings are shared with the Campus Dean and Vice President of Academic for the College, ensuring that committees are active and their recommendations are brought forward to the highest levels of the college.
Advisory committees are a key ingredient to the success of Ontario’s college system. They ensure that colleges are always in tune with industry needs, and that bodes well for the students who entrust colleges with preparing them for the workplace. They can rest assured that the organizations that will hire them when they graduate have been well consulted on the curriculum they have been taught.
Posted by: Jamie Bramburger is the Acting Chair of Health and Community Studies at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus
