Humber graduates Avery Bird and Theodor Willert are the first of the college’s alumni to participate in a pilot project called Springboard Mentorship, designed to transition college graduates into the new innovation economy.
The program will see graduates train under the guidance of a faculty member while mentoring students in Humber’s Electromechanical Engineering Technology program. The graduates will work at Magna International for two days per week to enhance their skills in an industrial setting.
The program is supported by a partnership between Humber, Magna and the Barrett Family Foundation, and seeks to support skill development of the next generation of workers for the 21st century economy.
“It is incumbent on Colleges and polytechnic institutions to discover new programs and new ways to lead and contribute to the innovation agenda” says Chris Whitaker, President, Humber. “Having the support of industry partners validates the potential of the concept we are promoting as a part of the solution to Canada’s innovation challenge, while providing students with the opportunity to continue their development.”
Bird and Willert will help current students with their faculty-led or externally driven applied research projects, ideally leading to improved leadership and communication skills, and practical knowledge and abilities. Their work at Magna will ensure that these skills are relevant to industry.
Bob Barrett, President and CEO of Polytainers said his foundation is solidly behind the initiative. “This is the type of program that will help students develop the skills necessary for the industries of tomorrow.”
For more information, see the official announcement