Holland College

by Gloria Welton

Holland College has campuses and centres across the Island. Hiring is ongoing all year, with the busiest time being from April to September, and most positions are full-time.

The locations include Georgetown Centre, Prince of Wales Campus, Tourism and Culinary Centre (home of The Culinary Institute of Canada), West Prince Campus, Summerside Waterfront Campus, Marine Training Centre, and Atlantic Police Academy.

There are about 720 staff at these campuses during the peak academic period with a variety of staff titles, including:

• Learning Manager/Instructor
• Administration
• IT Services
• Student Services Advisor
• Counsellor
• Management
• Service Worker
• Lab Assistant
• Curriculum Consultant/Instructional Designer
• Food Product Developer

“Positions that are more challenging to fill are Learning Managers for our Trades and Healthcare programs, IT positions, and positions within the Early Childhood Education space,” says Patty Bell, Human Resources Staffing Officer.

Wages and benefits

Holland College offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefit package for permanent and eligible term staff that includes a pension plan, supplemental health and dental, life insurance, health spending account, and other optional benefits. The Employee and Family Assistance program support is available to all employees.

Education/training required

“Education requirements vary depending on the position,” says Patty. “For example, a Learning Manager for the Electrical program is required to have a Red Seal in Electrical. Bilingualism is not required but is considered an asset.”

How are positions advertised?

Positions are posted on the Holland College website careers page, through various social media channels, and other hiring platforms such as Work PEI, Career Beacon, Indeed, LinkedIn, and industry specific publications and networks. “We also leverage our program advisory committees and the Alumni channels, as strong networks of industry professionals to promote employment opportunities,” says Patty.

How to apply

Submit your resumé by email and include a cover letter and three professional references.

“Holland College has a workforce operating within a variety of collective agreements and terms and conditions of employment. When considering applicants, we may have an obligation, depending on the various provisions, to consider internal applicants first,” says Patty.

“Resumés are assessed based on the requirements of the position.”

To be successful in the screening process, ensure your cover letter and resumé clearly articulate how your qualifications, experience and skillset align with the job posting.

“Ensure your resumé is tailored to the organization and position you are applying for. It is important that we can efficiently align applicants’ skills with our position needs. For example, when applicants use the cover letter as an opportunity to set out the qualifications asked for and how they align with their current skill set, it reflects that the applicant has taken the time to really understand the employer’s needs.”

Hiring process

Patty says typically the interview panel includes the department manager, a subject matter expert, and the staffing officer. “The hiring process can take three to four weeks from start to finish.

“Applicants can expect questions about their education, experience, interpersonal skills, and what motivates them to want to work at the college. Some positions require candidates to do a presentation or written exercise to give a more in-depth snap-shot of their skill set.

“We look for people who have done their homework on the position and the college itself. Once a candidate has met the expectations of the committee and job requirements, we proceed with professional references before an offer is made.”

Orientation and further training

Employees are offered orientation and training at the department level. The College also offers an Educational Development Assistance fund to support those employees looking to further their education. There is also ongoing professional development through both our Faculty and Human Resources Professional Development coordinators.”