New program boosts work-integrated learning opportunities for Mohawk students, benefits employers

Mohawk College is expanding its commitment to work-integrated learning with the launch of the Drive Ability – Opening Doors Program, a new initiative that will provide students and recent graduates with the hands-on experience and career-ready skills to succeed in today’s global economy.

Funded by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development’s Career Ready Fund’s Auto Stream, the program will provide up to 600 quality work-integrated learning opportunities for diploma and degree students, apprentices, and recent graduates across Ontario. Students from a wide variety of business, technology, and engineering programs will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in paid work placements within the automotive and advanced manufacturing sector. Current students will be able to count Drive Ability work experience towards their program placement requirements.

This program benefits Mohawk College students at the Marshall School of Skilled Trades & Apprenticeship, the School of Engineering, and the McKeil School of Business. Students who have been involved so far have come from the Manufacturing Engineering Technician and the Electrical Engineering Technician – Power programs.

“Mohawk College has been committed to providing students with hands-on workplace learning for more than 50 years. This program will help our students test their knowledge and training on the job, while creating career-enhancing relationships and honing their professional skills,” says Jim Vanderveken, Dean of Centre for Community Partnerships & Experiential Learning.

Drive Ability will also support the Canadian automotive and manufacturing sectors by providing employers with access to a diverse talent pipeline and wage incentives. The initiative – launched collaboratively with six Ontario post-secondary institutions (Conestoga College, Fanshawe College, Mohawk College, Sheridan College, Georgian College, and York University) – will build stronger partnerships with employers and increase knowledge exchange of work-integrated-learning practices between Drive Ability’s college and university partners. 

“Drive Ability – Opening Doors will also benefit our industry partners by connecting them to the skilled workers they need to maintain productivity and leverage in-demand skills,” says Vanderveken. “As small- and medium-sized businesses adjust to the new realities of the COVID-19 pandemic and begin along their path of recovery, we are confident this program and our future-ready Mohawk graduates can help them succeed.”

Anyone looking to get involved with the Drive Ability program can contact Gordana Mihajlovic by email at gordana.mihajlovic@mohawkcollege.ca or by phone at 905-575-2168.