By Sharon Halliday
Campbell College specializes in an 8-month, full-time, post-secondary Administrative Professional Diploma program. Ninety (90%) of our client base are newcomers, many who have extensive education and experience from outside of Canada yet they are unable to get good jobs because they don’t have Canadian training, certification, work experience or references.
Our program was designed to quickly assist and bridge newcomers into productive jobs associated with their previous work and education. Our students spend the first 6-months in-class focusing on their technical clerical and computer skills, and communication and interpersonal skills. Then the 2-month work practicum provides a “foot-in-the door” to great employers! Work experience is such an important part of our training and a key reason why our program and students are so successful.
In addition to many other employers, Campbell College has built successful practicum partnerships with numerous ministries throughout the Government of Alberta, and we’ve been working with The City of Edmonton in partnership since 2007. To date, we’ve had over 200 students serve their practicums in a variety of exciting placements throughout the City of Edmonton from Human Resources/Recruitment, to Payroll, Pension and Benefits, Edmonton Transit Services, and one student spent his practicum at City Hall working with a City Councillor. A large majority of our graduates now work for the City of Edmonton as a direct result of our partnership.
The practicum is exposure to an actual office setting where our students get to put their classroom training to the test. They practise and improve technical and communication skills, learn new systems and software, have networking opportunities and the chance to show their talents, get mentored and coaching for the interviews process, achieve that important work experience and references for their resumes, and develop confidence in themselves and their skills—exactly what is needed to impress the employer in an interview!
This would not occur without the wonderful partnership and support of our employer partners. Work experience truly does launch our students’ careers!