November 16, 2015
Connecting Educators 2013 Event Summary Report
Connecting Educators was a one-day event organized by Landscape Ontario in conjunction with the 2013 Garden & Floral Expo trade show and conference. The event brought together delegates from education, industry and government. The purpose was to connect educators from all levels of education with industry, and to work together to attract the brightest and best talent to fill the critical skilled labour gap in the industry.
Speakers discussed how industry and educators can work together to attract new generations of skilled workers, through programs like the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program and Ontario’s apprenticeship program. Participants learned about new growth areas in agriculture that offer exciting career opportunities. They heard about multiple ways for educators to connect with each other and with industry: the Canadian Association of Diploma in Agriculture Programs is an example of an organization that successfully connects 13 post-secondary institutions across Canada; the AgriPathways and AgriTalent online tools offer information on career awareness and educational pathways; and the “Agriculture More Than Ever” campaign is an industry effort to build public awareness.
A key highlight of the day was the student panel, where SHSM students and graduates shared their insights, experiences and advice regarding the program. The day concluded with an interactive round table discussion session, where participants broke into groups to discuss the role of educators in relation to the industry, the role of Landscape Ontario and what it could do to facilitate and support educators to connect better with industry, and the next steps for this event. Participants recommended that Landscape Ontario create an organization that includes all relevant educators from across Canada. Its role would be to connect educators, parents, students and employers; and to assess road blocks, open doors, create dialogue and raise awareness.
Landscape Ontario is pleased to provide you with a copy of the final report titled, Connecting Educators 2013 Event Summary Report.
Speakers discussed how industry and educators can work together to attract new generations of skilled workers, through programs like the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program and Ontario’s apprenticeship program. Participants learned about new growth areas in agriculture that offer exciting career opportunities. They heard about multiple ways for educators to connect with each other and with industry: the Canadian Association of Diploma in Agriculture Programs is an example of an organization that successfully connects 13 post-secondary institutions across Canada; the AgriPathways and AgriTalent online tools offer information on career awareness and educational pathways; and the “Agriculture More Than Ever” campaign is an industry effort to build public awareness.
A key highlight of the day was the student panel, where SHSM students and graduates shared their insights, experiences and advice regarding the program. The day concluded with an interactive round table discussion session, where participants broke into groups to discuss the role of educators in relation to the industry, the role of Landscape Ontario and what it could do to facilitate and support educators to connect better with industry, and the next steps for this event. Participants recommended that Landscape Ontario create an organization that includes all relevant educators from across Canada. Its role would be to connect educators, parents, students and employers; and to assess road blocks, open doors, create dialogue and raise awareness.
Landscape Ontario is pleased to provide you with a copy of the final report titled, Connecting Educators 2013 Event Summary Report.
