Employing Success - The Hamilton Oshawa Port Authority

The Hamilton Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA), which works with 130 tenants employing more than 2,100 people, manages about 750 acres of industrial harbourfront, and handles more than 10 million tonnes of cargo a year, has a multi-layered relationship with Mohawk.

HOPA worked with Mohawk to launch a new Supply Chain Management postgraduate certificate in 2018. The port authority sponsors the program, works with its tenants to provide co-op and internship placements, and has also set up a $20,000 tuition support fund to assist local students enrolled inthe program.

“It’s our flagship endeavour with Mohawk,” said Larissa Fenn, HOPA’s director of public affairs and corporate secretary. “We’ve seen really great uptake among both domestic and international students.”

Working in tandem with Mohawk means investing time and money, says Fenn, but that pays off in a strong, deep and reliable workforce.

“We hear from our tenants that they are challenged around finding talent. Through job fairs and our Careers at the Port initative adds value to our relationship with tenants.”

The Careers at the Port is an eight-week, tuition-free program that connects students with employers and offers job-readiness and skills development opportunities. “I think employers are finding they have to be proactive. They can’t just sit back and waitfor postsecondary institutions to produce the students they need,” said Fenn.

“It makes a lot of sense to work together to shorten the distance to finding talent that are ready to immediately be a productivemember of a team.”

To learn more about Mohawk's partnering opportunies visit https://www.mohawkcollege.ca/industry-and-employers