New Queen’s University graduates have been given a unique opportunity for employment thanks to a donation from benefactor and parent of a Queen’s Arts and Science graduate, Alan Rottenberg. The funding has been used to create the Queen’s Career Apprenticeship: Kingston program.

Employers who commit to a one-year, full-time job with training built in for a new graduate are reimbursed for four months of the gross salary to a maximum of $4,000 per month. The ultimate goal is that the employees will continue on after the completion of the apprenticeship. In 2019, the program will provide funding for 35 new apprenticeships.

The apprenticeship program designed for arts and humanities graduates is a joint effort between Queen’s Faculty of Arts and Science and the Kingston Economic Development Corporation. The objective of this innovative program is to help new graduates launch their career while retaining skilled talent in the Kingston community to support business growth.

”These students are talented, and Kingston businesses can benefit from keeping them here and helping them launch their careers. It really is a win-win for everyone,“ says Rottenberg. ”The pilot proved a great partnership that delivered amazing results and that is why we are ready to make it even bigger this year.”

The program was piloted last year with eight students starting their careers in Kingston with organizations such VIVA Productions, Make Hay Media, Keilty International, BBD, and Meta Innovation Technologies. The average starting salary was $43,166. The participants graduated from various programs such as Film and Media, English, Psychology, and Global Development Studies.

”We know we have good students, so when Alan approached us about this idea of an apprenticeship program I said absolutely, let’s make it happen. And now, here we are poised to triple the program this year ensuring that our students are successful not only in the classroom but after they leave,” says Barbara Crow, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Science.

Interested employers are encouraged to contact the Kingston Economic Development Corporation to have their job positions posted to the Queen’s University Job Board. The interview process will take place in early 2019 with successful candidates starting their jobs by the end of May.

“The Kingston Economic Development Corporation is very excited to support this incredible program. We are grateful that our partners recognize the importance of investing in new graduates and actively building Kingston’s vibrant workforce of the future,” says Donna Gillespie, CEO, Kingston Economic Development Corporation.

For more information visit the website.