The New Brunswick Student Alliance and Fredericton Chamber of Commerce signed a two-year partnership on Sept. 7 that will increase workplace opportunities for post-secondary students.
Krista Ross, CEO of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, said the city noticed students didn’t have prominent connections in the business community after graduation.
“Giving students the advantage to connect with businesses in the community and businesses to hire while building a rapport is a win-win,” said Ross.
Students now have access to free monthly networking events, like Business Over Breakfast and Business After Hours. Students can also register for events held by the Chamber as well, like the State of the City Address, where the mayor of Fredericton discusses issues concerning the public.
When asked how it will benefit St. Thomas students, Ross said it will help students who want to stay in Fredericton and make connections.
Ross said the partnership is “absolutely beneficial” and would likely continue past the two-year mark.
St. Thomas University student union vice-president of education Brianna Workman said she hopes to encourage students to take advantage of the partnership.
“I am extremely happy with the new strategic partnership between the NBSA and the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce … This partnership will generate many benefits and opportunities for STU students,” she said.
“I want to really encourage STU students to take advantage of this partnership by getting involved with the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce and the Fredericton community.”
Robert Burroughs, executive director of the NBSA, described post-secondary education as “the lifeblood of Fredericton” in a Sept. 7 press release.
“[The community] needs liberal arts university students integrating into the workforce to apply the skills learnt from their education,” he said.
In June, the NBSA released numbers that showed a decline of full-time employment and revenue of postsecondary New Brunswick graduates over the past ten years. The NBSA, along with other student organizations, also published findings about the mental health of students on Aug. 1.
