Education at Work Ontario will be hosting its Annual Professional Development Conference from May 23^rd and 24^th, 2018 at “The George” Conference Facilities in Downtown Toronto (80 Cooperage St.)

The agenda this year includes the results of our 18-month feedback and strategic planning efforts that has charted a refreshed course for the organization. The strategic plan will be presented, discussed, and voted on for adoption. Your voice is important in this development.

In the theme of “Supporting Student and Employer WIL Relationships”, this conference will also feature:

• Breakout sessions: These sessions are led by members who want to share their successes (and sometimes failures). All participants are encouraged to submit a breakout session topic ( by emailing David.Hall@algonquincollege.com) they would like to present around topics including: Student peer-to-peer mentorship programs, Job Development, Relationship Management, Addressing student/employer issues, Helping Employers work with Students with Disabilities, etc.  
• Employer Panel: Members will hear directly from co-op and WIL employers on relationship development and student mentoring before, during, and after the work experience.
• Keynote Speakers: Based on member feedback from previous conferences, we will host two keynote speakers this year to cover topics from both Employer development and student development areas of practice.

The conference will benefit professionals working in the field of Work Integrated Learning (WIL). It is an opportunity to learn from industry professionals, share ideas and network with colleagues.

UPDATED Agenda:

Keynote Biographies:

Angela Hoyt, CEO of Evolution Group Inc.

Angela has 30 years of workforce development experience in the public, not-for-profit and private sectors. She started her career as a Job Developer and Manager of Employment and has been a consultant for the past 20 years. Angela specializes in securing employment for populations under-represented in the labour market, through employer engagement and job development. She recently completed her MA in Interdisciplinary Studies at Royal Roads University. Her thesis focused on the organizational and individual characteristics of successful Job Developers.

Dr. Arif Jetha, Institute for Work & Health

Dr. Jetha is an associate scientist at the Institute for Work & Health. He is also an assistant professor (status-only) at the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health. Jetha earned his PhD in behavioural sciences and public health at the University of Toronto, and an MSc in health community and development from the London School of Economics and Politics. He also held post-doctoral fellowships at the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety and the Institute for Work & Health.

Jetha’s program of research aims at understanding life course differences in the employment participation of people living with chronic disabling conditions. He is specifically interested in understanding early labour market experiences of millennial young adults and their impact on key transitions across life. His research also takes a systems perspectives to understand the role of policy-level factors and organizational conditions in the prevention and management of work disability. Arif utilizes a mixed-methods research approach to pursue his research program and produce findings that are relevant and usable for diverse stakeholders.

Isabelle Duchaine, Director, Business/Higher Education Roundtable (BHER)

As Director of the Business/Higher Education Roundtable (BHER), Isabelle Duchaine leads BHER’s external communications and several other initiatives that support its goals of increasing employment opportunities for young Canadians, boosting private sector and post-secondary research collaborations and helping businesses adapt to the economy of the future. Prior to this role, she worked as the Business Council’s communications officer, as a research fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation, and at the Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia. She holds a BAH in history and political studies from Queen’s University and a Masters in Global Governance from the University of Waterloo.

Breakout Sessions:

2:30 – 3:15 pm, May 23, 2018

The Power of Personal Branding  for Students 

Ashoka Patel, Co-op Consultant, Algonquin College

A student that has a solid understanding of how they can apply their strengths into the workplace will be more strategic and effective in their job search. In this session, we will look at strategies to help student's develop their personal brand.

Meet Some SWILP Partners for an Open Discussion

Kitty Runstedler, Employer Relations Consultant, Conestoga College

Join Jan Hall from ITAC, Mark Patterson from Magnet and Kitty Runstedler, CEWIL College Rep for ITAC and MaRS to learn more about SWILP funding programs and strategies on helping your students and employers access SWILP funding. The session will be an open panel discussion with an introduction from each participant.

Accessibility, Accommodations, and Co-operative Education

Richard Wikkerink, PhD, Manager, Centre for Career Action, University of Waterloo

This workshop will review the process, research and progress report (to date) of the University of Waterloo’s “Enhancing the accessibility of co-operative education in postsecondary institutions” project.  Information will be shared about the four main project outcomes: Self-assessment tool for students, Co-operative Education Self-Study guide, Co-op Education transition support program, and Resources and Materials for employers.  Round table discussions will be part of the presentation.

3:15 – 4:00 pm, May 23, 2018

Employer Success Story: Deepening our Relationship with the CRA

Matt Wheatley, Stakeholder Relations Lead, Algonquin College

This workshop will look at the relationship between the Business Intelligence Research Analytics Department (BIRAD) at the CRA and Algonquin College. The history, timeline and best practices will be presented to help the audience gain insight into enhancing their engagement opportunities.

Digital Feedback in Co-op Curriculum: Do they even read my comments?

Ian Schwartz, Curriculum Co-ordinator, Wilfrid Laurier University

Formative feedback sent to students digitally, particularly for Resumé and Cover Letter review, does not always translate into improved application packages, and often suggestions go ignored. This roundtable will discuss some observations from the co-op program at Laurier, and will offer opportunities for discussion of best practices for providing feedback.

Employers With Their Own Hiring Process

Chantal Boucher, CO-OP Program Coordinator, University of Ottawa

How do you promote the various CO-OP job opportunities from employers that have their own hiring process?  Learn how we do it at OttawaU.

Best Practices: Work Site Visits

Griffith D'Souza, Co-op Coordinator, Ryerson University 

Learn best practices on engaging students and employers when conducting work site visits. 

Accommodations:

A block of 2-bedroom suites have been put on hold for the “EWO Conference” at a rate of $129/night at “The George” conferencing and summer accommodation facilities in downtown Toronto until May 1st.  These two bedroom suites can comfortably accommodate two conference delegates as they feature two private bedrooms, fridge, kitchenette, and full bathroom. Rooms have been held for May 22^nd and 23^rd, respectively. To book your accommodations, please call 416-761-8000 and mention you are booking into the "Education at Work Ontario" block of rooms.

Evening Activities:

Here are events and activities taking place on the evening of May 23 in Toronto near the conference venue. With the exception of the Prince of Wales Theatre, all are within a 30 minute walk of the George. Though there are no reservations made by the EWO, groups of delegates are encouraged to go to these outings together. Below are also restaurant options for dinner and socializing.

Toronto Blue Jays vs. Los Angeles Angels, 7:07 pm

https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/tickets/single-game-tickets

Ripley’s Aquarium

https://www.ripleyaquariums.com/canada/

Hockey Hall of Fame Stanley Cup 125th Anniversary Tribute

https://www.hhof.com/htmlNewsPromo/StanleyCupAnniversaryTribute.shtml

Motown: The musical at the Princes of Wales Theatre

https://www.mirvish.com/shows/motown-the-musical

Annie at the Ed Mirvish Theatre

https://www.mirvish.com/shows/annie

Mill Street

http://millstreetbrewery.com/toronto-brew-pub/

Archeo Trattoria

http://www.archeo.ca/about_us

El Catrin

http://www.elcatrin.ca/