Fleming College

Program Advisory Committees provide recommendations and guidance on program-related activities/initiatives such as:

• Industry trends: report on recent developments in the industries relevant to the program(s).
• Employment prospects: recommend and advise on graduate placements including those in graduating classes for suitable part-time, summer or fulltime permanent positions.
• Graduate skills: provide guidance on the knowledge, competencies and skills required by graduates.
• Partnerships: promote good relationships with local community and businesses, industry and professional associations and establish relevant partnerships.
• Program curriculum: provide content suggestions for inclusion in the program to maintain curriculum relevance and currency.
• Program review: participate in the program review process, including providing recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Work Integrated learning: suggest and support experiential educational opportunities in industry, including field placements, clinical experience, cooperative experiences, and study abroad opportunities.
• Applied research: provide advice on introducing applied research into the curriculum and external research prospects.
• Technology and equipment: provide advice and recommendations on the technological trends and also on changes in equipment in industry.
• Student awards: assist in the establishment of sponsorships, scholarships, bursaries and awards for Fleming College students.
• Prospective students: promote the program to prospective students and employers.
• Strategic plan: support the goals identified in the College strategic plan.
• Guest speakers: assist in identifying guest speakers for program courses.
• New program development: provide advice on opportunities to introduce new programs in response to the needs of a specific profession, industry or sector in relation to employment demands and student needs.

The composition of membership of each Program Advisory Committee reflects the diversity within the industry and/or sector and normally includes representatives from:

• Major regional and provincial employers (including both hiring managers and employees working in the field)
• Government agencies and appropriate regulatory bodies
• Professional associations; sector councils
• District Secondary School Board representative(s)
• Indigenous industry and community members
• Recent Alumni
• Current student(s) within the program

College employees are not voting members of PAC’s, but the School Dean and program Coordinator attend meetings and report on the program to the PAC. Program faculty may also attend meetings to observe, and, if requested, to present information to the committee.

PAC membership terms are for 3 years, and may be renewed once.

PAC’s will meet at least once a year, but may meet more frequently at the recommendation of the School Dean. Meetings may take place either virtually or in person, depending on the composition of the committee and availability of members. Reports from the Dean, program coordinator, and student representative will be circulated 2-4 weeks prior to the meeting date.

Any potential conflicts of interest must be disclosed prior to accepting an offered PAC membership. Immediate family members of program faculty also may not serve on that program’s PAC, and potential members who have personal or economic interests connected to the program must disclose these upon being appointed and will not be allowed to vote on issues pertaining to these interests. While members are not prohibited from simultaneously being PAC members at other colleges, they are not permitted to disclose information obtained from being a PAC member at Fleming to other institutions.