Oshawa’s Durham College strikes deal with regional Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade

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Published January 20, 2022 at 9:19 am

First-year students in Durham College’s School of Business, IT & Management (BITM) will get a jump-start to their careers with automatic memberships in all eight Durham Region Chambers and Boards of Trade for the duration of their studies, plus an additional year following graduation.

Membership to the municipal Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade will grant students access to events where they can meet local professionals and potential future employers, develop key relationships in the industry and engage in professional development opportunities.

“Partnering with Durham Region’s Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade will provide … unique educational opportunities for students to develop an understanding of the community’s business sector and create meaningful connections with industry members within it,” said Kevin Barker, the executive dean of BITM schools, adding that the partnership will create “highly skilled” students, graduates and applied researchers.

Participating chambers and trade boards include:

  • Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade
  • Brock Board of Trade
  • Clarington Board of Trade
  • Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce
  • Newcastle and District Chamber of Commerce
  • Scugog Chamber of Commerce
  • Uxbridge Chamber of Commerce
  • Whitby Chamber of Commerce

The joint chambers and trade boards said in a statement that the collaboration is a “precedent setting” initiative.

“(It brings) educators, the business community and students together across municipalities to deliver strategic programing (and) supports our collective desire to nurture talent in our region. This partnership ensures we have the workforce to sustain the continued growth and prosperity of our communities.”

In addition to increasing their profile and establishing meaningful connections, Durham College students will gain unique business insight prior to entering the workforce, providing them with the skills to face the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Barker said the college is looking forward to future partnerships to be developed and explored.

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