FREDERICTON
Fredericton Chamber of Commerce and UNB Student Union Launch Career Connects Program to Bridge Education and Workforce Gaps

New initiative offers short-term career exposure opportunities for UNB students fostering collaboration between business and education

The Fredericton Chamber of Commerce and the University of New Brunswick Student Union (UNBSU) have announced the launch of Career Connects, a pilot initiative designed to complement existing experiential learning pathways.

This program introduces short-term, volunteer-based placements that provide students with early career exposure, skill-building opportunities, and professional networking experiences. Intended as a preliminary entry to more traditional co-op or internship programs, these placements are brief, manageable and ideal for students not yet engaged in formal experiential learning or other forms of career development. 

"This is a small but significant step toward closing the gap between education and employment," said Morgan Peters, CEO of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce. "Small steps lead to bigger steps and help connect strengths. Career Connects is a launchpad for students who want to gain early exposure, build networks, workplace confidence, and develop the core skills employers value most."

"This program responds directly to what we hear from students: they want to start gaining experience and exploring career opportunities in their field of study, but often don't know where to begin," said Kierra MacAlpine, President of the UNB Student Union. "Career Connects offers a supportive early opportunity that complements, rather than replaces, co-ops and internships, and helps make career development feel more approachable and connected to our local community."

Career Connects builds on the momentum of September's Shaping the Debate: The Knowledge Industry Shift, co-hosted by UNB and the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce. This two-day event brought together leaders from academia, industry, and government to explore how collaboration can prepare students for a rapidly changing economy. Speakers emphasized that partnerships between business and education are essential for workforce readiness and innovation, a vision that Career Connects now puts into action.

The initiative reflects a broader commitment to collaboration between business and education. Fredericton's thriving knowledge industry makes it the perfect environment for this initiative. With strong ties between academia, government, and industry, and a high concentration of skilled students, the city is uniquely positioned to lead in collaborative workforce development.

The pilot phase will launch during UNB's Reading Week in March 2026, with several local businesses and organizations participating. Students will gain hands-on experience, while employers will have the opportunity to engage with emerging talent and help engage with the next generation of talent and leaders.