The Canadian government has tapped the Business + Higher Education Roundtable (BHER) to facilitate up to 8,000 work experience placements for post-secondary students over the coming 30 months. The not-for-profit organization provides resources and collaborative networks for private sector employers to integrate new generations of skilled talent into their workforces through partnerships with post-secondary institutions and their students.

The federal government recently announced an unspecified amount of funding to support the organization’s efforts. That’s expected to include targeted forums to connect employers and post-secondary institutions, along with broader promotion and engagement at industry-sponsored conferences and events.

“BHER will not only create thousands of opportunities, but also ensure the ecosystem is stronger, more inclusive and better aligned with industry needs,” pledges Val Walker, the organization’s chief executive officer.

BHER also offers a suite of online tools, including:

• a customized assessment of how work-integrated learning could best serve a company’s needs;
• an interactive calculator to help employers estimate their return on investment from work-integrated learning programs; and
• a 45-minute online course with scenario-based advice on mentoring young staff.

Since 2022, BHER is credited with creating more than 22,300 work-integrated learning placements through outreach to more than 6,000 employers. It’s expected to approach 2,500 employers with the new influx of federal funding, and to place particular emphasis on forging opportunities for Francophone and under-represented student groups.

“Our government’s investment in BHER is building practical pathways between education and employment, boosting productivity and helping businesses tap into new skills,” maintains Mélanie Joly, Canada’s Minister of Industry.