Trent University’s Community Concierge program – launched this spring – is off to a strong start with 81 recent and emerging graduates having completed the program, and several graduates gainfully employed throughout the region.

“The benefits of work-integrated learning opportunities available through this program are endless,” says Ryan Sisson, manager of Community & Workplace Partnerships with Careerspace at Trent University. “When students gain meaningful experience working with employers in the community, they graduate with more employable skills and are more likely to continue their careers here, strengthening the local workforce.”

This 12-month career-oriented program, led through Careerspace at Trent, was developed in partnership with the City of Kawartha Lakes and Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED), and supported through the Government of Ontario’s Skills Development Fund, with the aim of connecting recent graduates with local and rural employers throughout the City of Kawartha Lakes and City & County of Peterborough.

Working in collaboration with local partners

“Helping find opportunities for Trent students and graduates to work with and in our local businesses is good for our communities,” said Rebecca Mustard, manager of Economic Development at the City of Kawartha Lakes. “We’re actively working with community partners to encourage youth to jump in, share their talent, and build their lives in Kawartha Lakes.”

“By building stronger connections between students and local employers, we increase the opportunities to retain these young and educated workforce of the future in our communities after graduation and ensure that our local companies have the right skills for their operations,” says Rhonda Keenan, president & chief executive officer of PKED.

Four-week training program to support job search skills

Utilizing support from the Ontario Skills Development Fund, Trent developed a four-week training program to help emerging and recent graduates with their job search skills. 

“I gained more skills and knowledge about navigating the job market and enhancing the likelihood of becoming a successful candidate,” says Heidi Parekh ‘22, a graduate of Trent’s Psychology program, affiliated with Lady Eaton College, who participated in the training. “I can’t say enough positive things about the program’s content, staff, and students.”

“I learned about focused career searching, networking, and personal development, which I will take and share with many folks in my life,” shares Samm Medeiros ’20, a graduate of Trent’s Indigenous Environmental Studies & Science who is affiliated with Lady Eaton College.

Multi-year partnership agreements with local employers

In addition to supporting students with career skills, the program supports local and rural employers with filling skilled job vacancies. Trent recently signed partnership agreements with 40 organizations and has over 350 Work-Integrated Learning opportunities. Gauvreau CPA – which recently signed a multi-year partnership with Trent – is one of them.

“The team at Gauvreau has always been fortunate to welcome such high-performing talent from the Trent University Business programs,” says Derek Kirton, chief operating officer with Gauvreau CPA. “The practical and academic experience obtained at Trent sets graduates up for success in our industry, and we look forward to welcoming many more graduates in the future.”

Learn more about the Community Concierge Program.

The Community Concierge positions are based out of City of Kawartha Lakes, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development, and Careerspace at Trent University. The Skills Development Fund is an Employment Ontario program, funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.