Connector Program offering students, recent graduates and newcomers the chance to network and find employment in Kelowna

Finding fulfilling work can be challenging, especially if you’re fresh out of school or new to a city. Networking and building connections is a great way to foster future opportunities, but when you’re fresh on the scene, where do you start?

That’s exactly why the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission (COEDC) created the Connector Program in 2018.

“The Connector Program is a formalized networking initiative for newcomers, young professionals and students. It was designed to broaden a job seeker’s network through one-on-one, 45-60 minute long meetings with established business leaders in the community,” said the Coordinator for the Connector Program, Myrna Stark Leader, who actually participated in the program last year.

The goal of the program is to create an effective referral process, putting people in touch with those who can help them connect to the workforce and settle into the community successfully.

“The program is important because, like the rest of Canada, our region will continue to face a labour shortage over the next decade,” said Stark Leader. “This, combined with our region’s continued economic growth, means that retaining skilled newcomers and young professionals is more important than ever.”

Those who join the no-cost program are called Connectees, and they might be looking for part-time, full-time or contract work. Connectees are typically young professionals, recent graduates, post-secondary students, newcomers to the region and ‘trailing spouses’ — those who relocated because their spouse found work here, but are still looking for work themselves.

“One of our goals for the year is to promote the program so that people know that this service exists – not only Connectees, but local employers as well,” said Stark Leader. “We believe the program can be a real advantage to attracting employees if employers can say that the candidate’s partner or spouse can be part of the Connector Program to help build their local employment network. Most often, families are two-income households today and if both partners don’t connect with meaningful work in their field, we’re at risk of losing both.”

“It’s also a really great, no-cost, and less-intimidating way for post-secondary students to establish professional networks,” added Stark Leader. “One never knows where your first or next job will come from but the power of networking sure can’t hurt. As one business quote says: It’s not who you know, it’s who knows you – and we want to make sure the right people know you.”

Connectees apply online and then meet face-to-face with Stark Leader before being matched with a ‘Connector’, professionals from various industries in the community who volunteer their time to the program. Then, the Connector matches the Connectee with two other people from their network for further meetings. Then they are asked to match them with two more, and so on.

There are roughly 30 dedicated Connectors currently involved in the program, which will hopefully continue to grow with each passing year.

“To date in 2019, we have already exceeded the number of inquiries and connections made in 2018, our pilot year,” said Stark Leader. “Most of these have successfully been connected with a Connector and expanded their networks through subsequent connections.”

The Connector Program is always looking for great Connectees and Connectors. Visit the website to learn more about how you can get involved.