“In today’s globalised economy, studying abroad is often described as a powerful tool for enhancing student employability. But how do employers, the ultimate gatekeepers of graduate opportunities, truly perceive the value of international mobility?“

In response to this, the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) has funded the Canadian Global Skills Opportunity program (GSO). With this, the “Closing the Employer Gap on Global Skills Gained Through Mobility” project was brought to life – administered by Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan). The project aimed to quantify the true impact of studying abroad on future career prospects in a Canadian context.

Led by Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) with a consortium of four more HEIs – The Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN), Humber College, Vancouver Community College (VCC), and Saskatchewan Polytechnic – Expertise in Labour Mobility (ELM) was also brought in as an independent consultant to conduct the employer survey and write the final report!

About the CICan Canadian Innovation Fund Project Report:

The findings of this comprehensive report investigates Canadian employers’ perspectives on the impact of study-abroad experiences and their subsequent employability, in other words, it investigates employer perspectives regarding study abroad and the effect mobility experiences have on the employability of graduates.

What does data say on employer perspectives regarding study abroad and the effect mobility experiences have on the employability of graduates? How can students best articulate the skills gained through their international experiences to future employers? Do employers prioritise potential or proven capability in candidates? What are the top skills employers seek in new graduates, and how can students effectively learn to present these skills to gain a competitive edge?

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