Bachelor of Commerce (Digital Marketing) - Postsecondary ...

Section 8. Employer Perceptions of Business Graduates
To probe employer expectations about the skill sets they would anticipate from Fanshawe College
business degree graduates, Employers were asked whether Fanshawe business degree graduates would
bring different skill sets to the workplace than university‐educated business graduates, and whether
they would perform differently on the job. Employers were also asked if they would give hiring
preference to university graduates, and whether they would offer different rates of pay based on the
degree‐granting institution and type of credential.
Skill Sets and Job Performance
The majority of Employers believed that college business degree graduates would bring a different set of
skills, training and knowledge to the workforce than graduates of university business programs (Figure
22), but were divided as to whether they would expect differences in job performance (Figure 23).
Figure 22 – Differences in Skill Sets
Figure 23 – Differences in Job Performance
Not
Not
sure
sure
20.0 9.1
Yes
No
9.1
Yes
70.9
No
45.5
45.5
Skill Sets
Most Employers expected that college graduates would have more hands‐on experience and practical
and tactical skills, as well as specialized knowledge gained through quality interactions with industryexperienced
instructors. Several Employers specifically mentioned the co‐op placement with local
industry as differentiating between college grads and university grads in the skills brought to the
workplace. A few employers commented that there would be no difference in skills because college
degree programs would have to adhere to the same guidelines and standards as university degree
programs. Two Employers felt that university graduates would simply do better.
The practical and hands‐on. They are ready to go. Plug and play.
I would expect the Fanshawe program to have more hands‐on, local, real‐life opportunities. They
are more familiar with work in the local community.
Instructors are more from the field and give you more work‐related instruction and this helps in
the actual job situation.
Job Performance
Employers were evenly split as to whether college graduates would perform differently in the workplace
compared to university graduates. Employers who expected to see a difference referred to college
LKSB Degree Program Feasibility Study • 2011
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