Classes are underway for international post-secondary students at a new Mississauga campus through a partnership between Mohawk College and private career college triOS College.
Students from around the world are studying in seven programs at a purpose-built facility within the Square One shopping centre that opened in May. Graduates will earn Mohawk credentials.
The partnership supports economic growth within Mississauga, says Cebert Adamson, Vice President, Academic at Mohawk.
“We will be able to respond to market needs as they arise. We are providing the training and programming that will help companies thrive.”
Whether it’s a growing start-up or a corporate headquarters, the first conversation with prospective companies is always whether there is a ready pipeline of talent, says Adamson.
“Anywhere Mohawk is located, it has fulfilled that role. In Mississauga, there is rapid growth in supply chain logistics, health care administration and technology.”
Forging the partnership involved consultations with stakeholders across Mississauga, Peel and the GTA to determine their employment needs.
“These offerings are also aligned to what we were hearing from our program advisory committees. These are the areas of need that will drive Ontario’s and Canada’s economy.”
As well, attracting more international students will help meet Immigration Canada growth targets designed to address the country’s growing labour deficit, says Adamson.
The Mississauga campus offers various modes of delivery and a rigorous quality assurance system that ensures students are receiving a Mohawk education, says Adamson.
Only graduates of public colleges and universities are eligible for post-graduate work permits and through this partnership, students at the Mohawk College Mississauga Campus in partnership with triOS College will be eligible to work in Canada after graduation.
Initial offerings through the triOS partnership are Business (General), Global Business Management, Computer Systems Technician-Network Systems, Office Administration-Health Services, Supply Chain Management, International Business Management and Computer Systems Technician-Software Support.
Eventually, 4,000 students will study at the 33,000-square-foot campus and there is room to grow to 58,000 square feet.
Mississauga-based triOS College, which will celebrate 30 years in July, has a strong relationship with its employer partners, says Adamson, which includes developing and delivering direct training solutions. This is also an area of strength for Mohawk.
“Being flexible in response to partner needs is a key element of economic development. Talent is the No. 1 priority for employers as they locate and expand in a municipality,” said Adamson.
“Mohawk College is part of the process when municipalities are developing their strategic plans around economic growth. We play a pivotal role in providing education and training solutions through academic programming and applied research.”
triOS has trained thousands of people in Mississauga for careers in business, technology, health care and law, says Craig Donaldson, Executive Vice President, International. The career college now has eight campuses in Ontario.
Square One is an ideal location for the new campus because it’s a public transit hub and close to employment clusters in the city, he says. Several programs have co-op placements and those are key bridges to employment.
“Historically, about 25 or 30 per cent of our students are offered jobs with their internship host employer, while other students use the experience gained on their placement to help secure jobs with other employers. Internships and coop placements are great learning experiences for students and strong recruitment tools for employers,” said Donaldson.
Under the arrangement, Mohawk looks after recruitment, admissions and oversight of program delivery, while triOS provides student services and delivers the Mohawk curriculum.
“It’s a great opportunity for international students to get a Mohawk education in Mississauga,” said Donaldson. “We take our responsibility to look after our international students very seriously. We offer a wide range of services, including pickup from the airport, assistance finding accommodations, mental health supports, language training, tutoring and career services.”
Students who graduate from the Mohawk College Mississauga Campus in partnership with triOS College will be eligible for the career college’s life-time career services support.
The new Mohawk College Mississauga Campus in partnership with triOS College complements the existing Mississauga postsecondary landscape that includes University of Toronto Mississauga and Sheridan College’s Mississauga campus, says Adamson.
“We are filling in some gaps that will address the present and future workforce needs for the city.”
