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Figure 20 –Need for Fanshawe Business Degree
Programs
Figure 21 – Continued Need for Fanshawe
Business Diploma Programs
Not
sure
20.0
No
12.7
Yes
67.3
No
16.4
Not
sure
20.0
Yes
63.6
Fanshawe Business Degree Programs
Most employers endorsed the need for Fanshawe College to offer business degree programs (Figure 20).
Employers saw college business degrees as an accessible and affordable option for local students who
could not get into UWO but would like to stay in the London area. For some Employers, the appeal of
the Fanshawe degree was the increased likelihood of graduates staying in the London labour market
after completing their program – unlike many Western graduates. The degree was viewed as offering
more practical skills and more specialized knowledge than existing university degrees. Some Employers
noted that these degrees are important because of their mandatory co‐op component which provides
local industry experience. Employers speculated that college degree graduates would have more
realistic expectations, and could be more willing to start in lower‐level positions at lower pay than
university graduates. Several employers believed the degrees would make Fanshawe more marketable
and competitive. A few Employers pointed out that these degrees are important for their association
with professional designations. Employers who did not see a need for Fanshawe to offer these degrees
raised concerns that a college degree would water down the meaning of a baccalaureate, and that the
marketplace may be too crowded already.
Not everyone can afford university. Not everyone wants to go away for that long. The mandatory
co‐op is great, and there is a need for the instructors with industry experience. It opens the door
for people who can’t get into university.
Fanshawe is positioned well in Southwestern Ontario. It is a leading institution with a great
brand. It is lacking in some of the relevant areas in today's marketplace and offering business
degrees could help that.”
If people are already going to Fanshawe and want to take something further this is an easy
option for them. It's nice for some students to be able to stay on the same campus.
This gives more opportunities for people raised in London to go to school at home if they can't
get into Western.
Ivey is not an easy school to get into. There are a lot of local people interested in business
degrees who may not be able to get into Ivey. Very few Ivey grads plan to work in London. I think
there will be demand for grads of these degrees.
LKSB Degree Program Feasibility Study • 2011
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