The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce facilitates connections and collective action to strengthen the economic engine of the community and support local businesses.

This project will create a new consortium between the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, McMaster University and Mohawk College that focuses on engaging local small- and medium-sized employers and empowering them to leverage WIL opportunities to expand their current and future capacity. Specifically, this program will create a centralized hub for small- and medium-sized employers to access student talent in Hamilton, and will result in the creation of 210 WIL opportunities, including co-ops, internships, and field placements. 

The Chamber will act as the main connector and support between local employers and their post-secondary institution partners. Based on a business’ specific needs and capacity, the Chamber will act as a guided support to create a direct pipeline to access student talent, bypassing the stress and barriers that typically result in employer drop-off. The project will also integrate WIL learning into a variety of Chamber engagement events. In turn, employers will be able to enhance their skills and diversify their workforce, providing both immediate and future value.

Through this program, students will have the opportunity to work directly with businesses to implement solutions, providing them with relevant experience to bolster their resumes and increase their employability. This will enable networking opportunities with local professionals and open the door to mentorship possibilities that align with students culturally and professionally.

For more information about the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, visit: https://www.hamiltonchamber.ca/