Bridging the Gap: How Employers View Skills Gained Through Student Mobility

Monday, October 20, 2025

11:15 AM - 12:30 PM CST

Session Leader(s)

Nannette Ripmeester (she/her/hers)

Director
Expertise in Labour Mobility / International Student Barometer (Etio)

PDF Handouts Slides

Presenter(s)

AC

Andrew Champagne

Director , Programs and Partnerships
Colleges and Institutes Canada | Collèges et instituts Canada
KM

Kellie McMullin

Manager, International Learning (Outbound)
Nova Scotia Community College

The session will focus on presenting data gathered on employer perspectives regarding study abroad and the effect of mobility experiences on the employability of graduates. The session is built around the outputs of a research project of 5 higher education institutions in Canada. The focus is on the employer's often-overlooked voice, which provides evidence of how HEIs can help students best articulate the skills gained through their international experiences to future employers.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion, participants will be able to list the main skills that employers (in Canada) value.
Upon completion, participants will be able to provide more support for students to maximize their study abroad experience.
Upon completion, participants will be able to provide advice to higher education institutions how to ensure study abroad is seen as an employability advantage.
Upon completion, participants will be able to have a thorough discussion on what is the employability effect of study abroad.