The Hamilton Model: A Case Study of Hamilton’s Support for International Students Transitioning to the Labour Market was written by Elizabeth Agoe, Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario, based on a report submitted by the Canadian Bureau for International Education.
Case study highlights Hamilton’s collaborative network of institutions, employers and community organizations as a model for supporting and retaining international students in the Ontario labour market.
In 2023, the City of Hamilton launched “Hamilton’s Workforce Strategy: Harnessing the Ecosystem for Shared Success,” developed through collaboration with postsecondary institutions, employers, municipal leaders and community organizations. The comprehensive action plan aims to create a welcoming environment for newcomers by aligning education and training with employer needs, addressing workforce gaps, strengthening partnerships, promoting diversity, equity and inclusion and positioning Hamilton as an attractive destination for talent. Importantly, these efforts also contribute to retaining international students after graduation by fostering pathways to employment and community integration. Hamilton’s Workforce Strategy serves as a helpful model and offers insights for other communities across the province that would benefit from attracting and retaining international students.
As part of HEQCO’s Consortium on International Education, the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) investigated this innovative and collaborative approach to international student support using data from CBIE’s 2023 International Student Survey, which included 1,369 Hamilton-based international students, along with interviews with students and key stakeholders.
CBIE found that international students in Hamilton face several challenges when transitioning into the local labour market, including limited knowledge of job opportunities, cultural differences in workplace expectations and employer biases favouring Canadian work experience. Survey data and interviews revealed that many students look to larger cities for employment, as local employers often seem hesitant to hire them due to perceived risks and unfamiliarity with immigration regulations. To address these barriers, stakeholders —¬ including postsecondary institutions, community organizations and the City of Hamilton — have introduced a range of initiatives, including co-op and experiential learning programs, mentorship and networking events and large-scale job fairs. The City of Hamilton is also developing the Hamilton Workforce Ready pilot program to streamline career services and provide targeted support for international graduates. Additional initiatives focus on educating employers on the benefits of hiring international talent and strengthening connections between students and local businesses. Together, these efforts seek to create a more inclusive labour market, improve retention and integrate international students into Hamilton’s economic ecosystem.
Although Hamilton is a large urban centre, its collaborative approach to supporting international students offers a transferrable model for smaller and northern communities, where barriers to labour market integration are often greater and the economic and cultural benefits of retention even more critical. The immediate post-graduation period is a vulnerable yet pivotal time for international students, and Hamilton’s strategy demonstrates how a partnership-driven approach to wraparound supports can strengthen newcomer retention, drive sustained economic growth and foster more connected communities.