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We are excited to announce that Kingston Economic Development Corporation (Kingston EcDev) has won a Gold Rank for the Queen's Career Apprenticeship: Kingston (QCA:K) program, which it manages in cooperation with our Faculty. The award was granted in the category of Partnerships with Educational Institutions from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) 2021 Excellence in Economic Development Awards Program.

QCA:K, funded by philanthropist Alan Rottenberg, offers one-year, salaried, apprenticeships in Kingston. The program helps new arts and humanities graduates jumpstart their careers and gain experience while helping small business attract and retain highly skilled talent. Recent graduates apply to local companies, and successful applicants have a guaranteed full-time job for at least one year. Companies receive four months of funding towards the graduate’s salary,

Kingston is the first Canadian city to win in this category and it is the first time that Kingston Economic Development has won an IEDC gold award.

IEDC's Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognize the world's best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials, and the year's most influential leaders. Twenty-five award categories honour organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities. Awards are judged by a diverse panel of economic and community developers, following a nomination process held earlier this year. IEDC received over 500 submissions from four countries.

Since its launch in 2018, QCA:K has grown exponentially and this award further demonstrates that the program and our partnership with Kingston EcDev is as strong as ever. One notable success story is that of Nour Mazloum, a Queen’s alumna and previous QCA:K apprentice, who now works at Kingston EcDev as the Communications and Events Officer and is responsible for promoting the very program that launched her career. 

“Not only has it been amazing to see this program grow over the last three years in the Faculty of Arts and Science at Queen’s, but it has also been exciting to see that other universities and cities in Canada are now adopting similar apprenticeship programs based on the Queen’s model, such as Guelph, Western, UBC-Kelowna, and McMaster,” says Dean Barbara Crow. “This program provides recent graduates with employment opportunities within Kingston that benefit the local economy, ensuring that these students remain within the Kingston community and contribute their talents to the benefit of the city.”

To learn more about QCA:K visit the website.