Cultivated through traditional means delivered in elementary, secondary, and post-secondary institutions as well as industry associations with a vested interest in strengthening workforce opportunities, education is delivered not only by educators themselves, but by also by students, researchers, business owners, associations and industry leaders seeking to drive change.

Reveal Niagara Business Magazine by Ownera Media is proud to present leaders in education across Niagara who actively do their part in forging change. They are leaders that recognize the importance of local engagement, support, and mutually beneficial relationships, making them truly notable in their industry, in our community, and beyond.

Working with Brock for more than 20 years, Cara is the Director of Co-op, Career & Experiential Education, a department she designed. As the first of its kind in Canada, it has been recognized as a leader in the country for its work and is leveraged as a model to replicate across other post secondary institutions.

Brock University

Brock has long been recognized as an innovative leader in co-op, career, and experiential education, working to ensure students can collect two years of work experience, both inside and outside the classroom, prior to graduation. The program is constantly seeking ways for students to gain experiences, understand those experiences, and articulate how to leverage those experiences to achieve their career goals. “We also encourage students to not think about job titles but instead of skills that they gain and how those skills will lead them through their career paths. To us, innovation isn't just coming up with something new or outside of the standard ways of doing things but changing the system.” Said Cara. 

The program was able to leverage government funding to hire 19 students to help Niagara businesses in their recovery from COVID-19. The work the program does is often highlighted as a two-way learning opportunity where the students and community members learn together. “Our students are finding employment here, in co-ops, internships and practicums, and during the school year as part-time talent for our local businesses and upon graduation. They are ready to give their skills, strengths and time to the community. Our unit helps them explore opportunities, prepares them for their experiences and coaches them on how to take those experiences from actions to learnings and skills that they can mobilize now and in the future.” Said Cara.

Since joining OTEC, Kieran has been working to expand Tourism SkillsNet Ontario’s (TSNO) reach, directly contributing to the expansion of the network from 5 to 17 regions across Ontario, facilitating increased collaboration and helping identify new partnerships within the Niagara region.

Having worked in tourism & hospitality for over 15 years, Kieran is passionate about giving back – particularly in light of the pandemic’s devasting effects on the sector. “I’m honoured to play a part in helping to build this important sector back better and stronger.” Shares Kieran.

Ontario Tourism Education Corporation (OTEC)

Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, OTEC leads Ontario in tourism and hospitality training, labour market development and workforce strategy. Known for its agility in creating innovative solutions for the future of work across Canada and internationally, they connect key players across industries – including businesses, educational institutions, associations, research and technology partners, local employment and training providers, and all levels of government.

“In partnership with Job Gym, we’ve been able to put over 80 people, many of whom were dependent on Ontario Works, EI, and ODSP, through free tourism & hospitality training programs which include industry-recognized certifications as well as an increased focus on stress management and building emotional intelligence. We’ve also been able to support many of the local tourism & hospitality businesses through funded leadership and resiliency training for their employees, which will continue to be so important as we rebuild the sector.” Said Kieran.

The Tourism Hospitality Recovery Initiative (THER), led by OTEC in partnership with the Future Skills Centre, has developed an AI-based labour market navigation and employment platform as well as a new Real-Time, local, data and forecasting model in collaboration with the Conference Board of Canada.

Steve Gill, Owner, Niagara College Learning Enterprise Corporation

Steve Gill has been with Niagara College for more than 20 years and is currently the General Manager of the Niagara College Teaching Winery, Brewery, Distillery and Vineyards. Steve was integral in creating the program that launched it all, the first of its kind in Canada, and has assisted in launching a similar program in Alberta.

Niagara College Learning Enterprise Corporation

A company owned by Niagara College, the corporation manages the trailblazing on-campus learning enterprises. “These Learning Enterprises play an important role at the College. They provide a real-world learning environment for students in the College’s wine, beer and distilling programs, giving them an opportunity to gain hands-on experience on our campuses before they graduate creating quality products.” Said Steve.

“We have many award-winning products from our learning enterprises which have been recognized for excellence provincially, nationally and even internationally. But award win is a testament to student learning at NC. Each student-created wine, beer, cider or spirit becomes a ‘resume in a bottle’ for our students. Each graduate becomes a College success story,’ says Steve.