York University’s Markham Campus hosted the second annual Digital Technologies (DT) Employer Partner Day on Friday, September 13. Launched by the Lassonde School of Engineering, the DT program stands at the forefront of our campus’ vision to empower students to graduate with invaluable work experience.
The day was devoted to onboarding new partners, recognizing, and honouring the contributions of current partners, and fostering a collaborative environment where best practices could be shared, and innovative ideas could flourish.
Second-year Digital Technologies student, Eamon Ryan, served as the MC and the day commenced with opening remarks from Dan Palermo, Interim Deputy Provost, who extended heartfelt thanks to the employer partners, students, staff, and faculty. Palermo emphasized the integral role that these stakeholders play in the success of Canada’s first fully work-integrated Digital Technologies program where students dedicate 80% of their time to their employer, and 20% to study.
He then introduced Jane Goodyer, Dean of Lassonde, as the visionary behind the DT program. Having launched New Zealand’s first-degree apprenticeship in 2019, Goodyer has now brought her expertise to Canada. Goodyer spoke about her vision for the program’s future and the importance of employer collaboration. Her leadership and dedication have been crucial in shaping the program’s success and continuing to push its boundaries.
The event featured an orientation session for employers, as well as a student panel and an employer panel, which offered a platform to share valuable insights. The student panel provided a glimpse into their experiences and successes, illustrating how the program has empowered them to achieve their goals. Meanwhile, the employer panel allowed partners to discuss strategies for helping students attain and sustain success throughout their program tenure.
Both panels facilitated a rich exchange of ideas and practical advice, further strengthening the ties between students and their current and future employers.
York University Markham Campus and the Lassonde School of Engineering is sincerely grateful to Alstom, IBM, CoLab Software, BMO, Shopify, NGF, Dayforce, Softchoice, HTS, Quanser, and Ontario Power Generation.
Their support and collaboration are vital in ensuring the continued excellence and impact of the Digital Technologies program. The event was not only a celebration of past achievements but also a stepping stone toward future innovations and successes in the ever-evolving field of digital technology.