Become an employer partner and lead the way in this extraordinary first for Canada
An exciting opportunity to supercharge skills development in digital technologies
Since launching in September 2023, this innovative program, which combines academic coursework with full-time, paid employment, has seen all employers choose to retain their students for a second year. Employers report high satisfaction and increased productivity, citing the benefits of continuous student involvement compared to traditional short-term student placements.
Achieving a 100% student contract renewal rate in its inaugural year demonstrates the value of this fully work-integrated degree model in supporting an organization’s talent pipeline.
Supported by organizations such as Alstom, BMO, Dayforce, OPG, Quanser, and Shopify, the program addresses the digital skills gap in Canada’s tech industry, preparing students for the global economy.
By reducing financial barriers, the program has increased degree access for non-traditional and underrepresented learners, including recent high school grads, professionals and transfer students. Notably, the first cohort includes 41% women, compared to the 16% typically seen in traditional computer science programs.
The design and development of York’s Digital Technologies degree program was a collaborative process between Lassonde and a visionary group of businesses, companies, public sector organizations, and industry associations known as “Trailblazers.” Senior technology experts from these organizations contributed to curriculum and learning outcomes, ensuring the program delivers the required knowledge, skills and professionalism of graduates. So, you can be assured that this program addresses your needs now and in the future. In addition to the Trailblazers listed below, CIO Strategy Council and TECHNATION Canada were instrumental in brokering consultation across the sector.
Our Trailblazers
Our Trailblazers, representing various sectors and sizes, include:
Ceridian, CGI, Cinchy Inc., Cisco Canada, Connected (Connected.io, Now part of Thoughtworks), EY Canada, General Motors of Canada Company, IBM Canada, mimik Technology Inc., RBC, Saa Dene Group, Shopify Inc., TELUS Health, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat and TribalScale Inc.
What are the benefits?
Attract new high-quality talent who bring fresh ideas, knowledge, and skills to help your business remain competitive by offering them a competitive paid salary and opportunity to study.
Drive high levels of employee retention and fill skills gaps by supporting existing employees who wish to improve their theoretical understanding, build their skills, and earn an internationally recognized, quality assured degree qualification.
Increase employee access to the latest expertise, knowledge and resources that a university can provide by developing a collaborative working partnership with Lassonde School of Engineering and York University.
Recruit a more diverse talent base and improve social mobility by removing financial barriers to postsecondary education for learners who will earn a salary throughout the four-year program.
A successful model in the UK
Although this is new to Canada, this model is highly successful in the UK. The first tranche of the UK programs was rolled out in 2015 with 756 learners across the UK and has now grown to ~22,500 learners. The majority of higher education providers in England offer these types of programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
The program does not require that employers pay tuition. If an employer is willing to pay tuition in part or in full, this is welcome. It is the student’s responsibility to cover the cost of their tuition fee (which is similar to the existing Computer Science program, approximately $10,000 per year). Eligible students could also apply for OSAP. If an employer would like to add a retention policy to the condition of paying part or the full cost of tuition, Lassonde will respect the employer’s decision.
| Traditional Model | Work-Integrated Model | |
| Degree | 21% women 79% male 62% identify as White | 50% women 79% identify as people of Colour |
| Previous WIL Experience | 49% of grads have participated in work-integrated learning 16% of Engineering and Computer Science co-ops are held by women | 100% have work-integrated learning experience |
| Retention | 40% of co-ops are converted to full-time positions | 90% graduates are converted to full-time positions |
| Outcomes | 65% of grads have standard employment, full-time, within 6 months after graduation (2021) | 100% have full-time job offers in their field of study 6 months after graduation (96% before graduation) 15% grads are now working as Senior Developers, with three graduating cohorts |