On October 23, Centennial College unveiled its first-ever Partner Appreciation Awards, which recognize Centennial's invaluable industry and community partners for their exceptional support in helping students achieve academic and career success. The event had an impressive turnout this year, with 40 Partner Appreciation Awards nominations that were carefully reviewed by the College's selection committee. Nominees were scored on their impact, innovation and dedication to students, with the highest-scoring nominees selected in each of four award categories.
More than 220 attendees gathered for this milestone event, many of whom represented industry and community partners involved in a broad spectrum of sectors and engaged with Centennial in numerous ways, including Partners in Work Integrated Learning (WIL), field placements, co-op programs, applied research, and program advisory committees. All were celebrated for their commitment to elevating students' experiences, facilitating their academic journey and enhancing graduate employment prospects. Employers large and small make up the roster of deserving winners:
Multi-Engagement Partner Award
- Kisko Products
- Toronto Transit Commission
New Partner Award
- ChocoSol Chocolate Traders
- University Health Network
High-Impact Partner Award
- Bombardier
- Tubagua Ecolodge
Long-Standing Partner Award
- Elder Barbara Brant
- Toronto Zoo
The celebration opened with two dynamic panel discussions that spotlighted the perspectives of Centennial's partners on workforce development, the role of partnerships in fostering real-world skills, and the shared mission to shape tomorrow's industry leaders. Following the panels, the awards presentation recognized the winners and commended them for their dedication to helping students thrive in their studies and post-graduate employment.
The event also marked the launch of the Partnership Success Stories campaign, showcasing ten of the College's industry partnerships. Each story highlights the mutually beneficial relationship between Centennial's industry partners and students, and underscores Centennial as a top choice for collaboration.
"Our Partner Appreciation Awards and Celebration is more than an event - it's a reflection of Centennial's vision for fostering partnerships that create meaningful change and prepare students to become influential contributors to the workforce of tomorrow," said Manjeet Kang, Manager, Strategic Partnerships at Centennial.
This new annual celebration underscores the College's dedication to nurturing strategic partnerships that not only enhance student outcomes, but also contributes to shaping the next generation of industry-ready graduates. The recognition program is organized by Centennial's Industry Engagement and Graduate Employment department, under the Industry, Employment, and Community Relations division.
