Durham College graduates finding jobs in large numbers, impressing employers

April 7, 2009

Latest KPI results show college continues to provide students with market-ready skills

Durham College students are continuing to graduate with the market-ready skills needed to find jobs and are impressing their new employers, according to the latest Key Performance Indicator (KPI) survey results of Ontario colleges.

The results show 86.5 per cent of Durham College students found employment within six months of graduation in 2008, while 92.3 per cent of employers indicated they were satisfied or very satisfied with their decisions to hire Durham College graduates. The KPI surveys have been mandated annually by the provincial government since 1998 and require colleges to collect and report performance data in the areas of graduate satisfaction, student satisfaction, employer satisfaction, graduate employment and graduation rate.

“These results are reflective of our commitment to ensuring all our programs are developed and regularly reviewed with input from industry leaders so that our students have the knowledge and practical skills to obtain rewarding careers,” said Don Lovisa, president of Durham College. “In addition to our market-relevant programs, our professors bring years of industry experience to the classroom and our students have opportunities to gain real-world skills through co-op placements and internships, all of which puts our graduates in demand.”

The KPIs are just one of the valuable tools employed by the college in its commitment to student success. Based on KPI results over the past few years, Durham College introduced a number of new initiatives designed to enhance the student experience, such as increased space for group study, additional health and wellness services and increased opportunities for student feedback during the program review process.

Student success is at the heart of all the college’s activities. From a first-year co-ordinator dedicated to helping new students adjust to college life, to learning and career services, financial assistance, a centre for students with disabilities, diversity office and extensive health and wellness resources, Durham College offers a wealth of services to support students in and out of the classroom, so they can find success and graduate with the skills needed to obtain great careers and make a difference in the world.

The following are Durham College’s KPI results in the survey’s five benchmark areas:

Category	Durham College	Provincial average
Graduate satisfaction	80	82.7
Graduate employment	86.5	88.9
Employer satisfaction	92.3	93.3
Student satisfaction	77.3	78.4
Graduation rate	64.6	64.4

To view the full KPI results, visit the Colleges Ontario website.