Employers rank Durham College graduates among the best of the best

April 27, 2007

College scores 94.8 per cent employer satisfaction ranking according to results of annual Key Performance Indicator surveys

The results of the recent provincial government Key Performance Indicator (KPI) surveys of Ontario college students, graduates and employers have confirmed what many employers already know – if you’re looking for a highly skilled, job-ready and technically savvy employee, it’s tough to beat a Durham College graduate.

The Ontario government mandates colleges to participate in the province-wide KPI surveys which are conducted by a third party that collects and reports performance data in the areas of employer satisfaction, employment rate, graduate satisfaction, student satisfaction, and graduation rate. The resulting data not only provides a snapshot of the present, it helps Durham College set goals and priorities for the future. In particular, the data highlights which areas could be improved to better serve students, graduates and employers, and helps the college determine how to provide even greater support to students in the pursuit of success – goals that ultimately impact both graduates and employers.

Durham College consistently scores well in all five categories year after year and most recently it was employers who awarded the college the biggest round of applause, giving Durham College graduates a 94.8 per cent employer satisfaction rating.

The college also continued its successful graduate employment track record with 90.2 per cent of 2006 graduates indicating they found employment within six months of graduation.

“I would like to extend a sincere thank you to each employer and student who participated in the KPI surveys,” said Leah Myers, president of Durham College. “At Durham, we offer high-quality, relevant programs that focus on workplace readiness and are taught by exceptional teachers with real-world experience. When employers respond with such a resounding endorsement of our strategy and efforts, we know that we’re on the right track.”

Durham College offers approximately 80 different full-time programs and hundreds of continuing education and part-time courses taught by world-class professors who bring expertise and experience to the classroom, creating an interactive learning environment designed to help students develop the confidence they need to succeed in the workplace. In addition, the majority of programs include a field placement opportunity so students gain valuable workplace experience and make important professional contacts while they are still in school.

While the college’s mandate to provide market-driven programs and workplace-ready skills is obviously an advantage for students, the employers who hire its graduates are clearly benefiting as well. For example, when classroom training mirrors workplace tools and technology, the time required to train a new hire is substantially reduced.

Durham College Career Services also plays an important role in the college’s student and graduate success. “Durham College strives to provide students with quality learning experiences and support in finding pathways to jobs,” said Tara Blackburn, director of Career Services. “We act as a key resource for both students and employers, providing a number of different avenues to connect potential candidates with the right organization. When it comes to the KPI surveys, scoring over 90 per cent for both employer satisfaction and graduate employment confirms that our career and recruitment services are meeting the needs of two of our key stakeholder groups.”

Services provided to students include resume and cover letter reviews, job search assistance, career advising and assessment and more. Employer programs include the opportunity to conduct on-campus recruitment or information sessions, market program-specific opportunities directly to recent graduates through the free Graduate Connections service, participate in internship programs, and participate in various on-campus job fairs.

Of course, the success of combining education excellence with value-added career resources is in the numbers and Durham College had solid results in all KPI areas.

The college scored 81.4 per cent for graduate satisfaction, which measures the percentage of graduates who believe that their college experience helped them achieve their goals after graduation and 75.7 per cent for student satisfaction, which indicates current student perception of a wide range of issues ranging from teacher quality to facilities and support services. This feedback ties directly to Durham College’s new Success Matters Strategic Plan which clearly articulates the college’s current and future actions to provide students with world-class learning experiences, expert faculty and program quality; pathways that support their educational journey through to career success; and services and support in the areas that students indicate are the most important to them and their future success.

The college also placed in the provincial top five for graduation rate with a score of 67.6 per cent, graduation rate measures the percentage of students who complete their college program.

 

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