Sarnia, ON – The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership (SLEP) is proud to announce the launch of the Career Accelerator program. Developed in collaboration with Devant and Lambton College, this initiative provides tailored services designed to boost the career readiness of graduating international students with the aim of retaining skilled talent through resulting connections with local employers. The outcomes of the program will support local employers in accessing top-quality talent and fostering a competitive economy.
As industries in Sarnia-Lambton evolve, many employers find it increasingly difficult to source candidates with the necessary skills and expertise. At the same time, international students often leave the community upon graduation, having lacked key resources that could boost career readiness and assist with the navigation of local career opportunities. The Career Accelerator program seeks to bridge this gap by preparing Lambton College’s graduating international students to meet the specific needs of local businesses, helping them to transition from education to employment with greater ease and effectiveness, thereby strengthening the region’s economic growth and competitiveness.
“The stability and growth of the local workforce is of significant value to existing employers and future industry in Sarnia-Lambton,” said Matthew Slotwinski, CEO of the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership. “The Career Accelerator program is designed to enrich our local talent pool, ensuring that businesses have access to the expertise they require by providing resourcing aimed at retaining the tremendous international student talent drawn to Sarnia-Lambton, which has far too often left the community upon graduation. By preparing these graduating students with the resume, interview and career skills required to secure long-term, meaningful career-focused employment, we are investing in the economic future of Sarnia-Lambton.”
The Career Accelerator program provides a clear pathway to address these workforce and student retention challenges. Graduating students begin by completing the Get Hired Masterclass, which equips them with essential job-seeking strategies tailored to the needs of local industries. Participants then engage in personalized one-on-one career coaching to align their skills with employer expectations, ensuring they are ready to contribute to the community’s workforce. Once prepared, graduates gain access to networking opportunities and SLEP resourcing, including the Explore Talent platform, connecting them directly with local employers who are actively seeking skilled professionals.
By focusing on creating opportunities for businesses to access job-ready professionals, the Career Accelerator program supports economic growth, enhances local workforce readiness, and fosters innovation across industries. Integrating international student graduates into the community not only helps address experienced workforce shortages but also brings fresh perspectives that contribute to a more dynamic and competitive local economy.
For more information about the Career Accelerator program, visit sarnialambton.on.ca/careeraccelerator.
About the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership:
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership (SLEP) is the lead economic development agency for the Sarnia-Lambton area. Funded by the County of Lambton, we focus on promoting the distinct advantages Sarnia-Lambton proudly offers companies and residents. By coordinating community-based economic development initiatives and maintaining a commercially attractive environment, we foster new business creation, help ensure that established firms remain and grow here, and work to attract growing businesses to the Sarnia-Lambton area.
For Media Inquiries:
Arianne Garcia
Marketing & Communications Manager
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
(519) 332 1820 ext 225
arianne@sarnialambton.on.ca