The Challengers – Rachel Sumner, Executive Director, TALENT

We launched a new series here at EQ that we call The Challengers. After all, we're a Challenger Bank, and we want to showcase some other incredible people who we feel live and breathe what it means to be a Challenger. But first, you’re probably wondering what does it mean? To be a Challenger is a mindset. It’s not about challenging what others are (or aren't) doing; it’s a challenge to ourselves to cut through the nonsense and provide more value to Canadians.

This month, we chatted with Rachel Sumner, Executive Director at TALENT. TALENT’s vision is to transform Ontario’s workforce by creating talent pipelines in key sectors impacted by digital transformation. Affiliated with Ontario Tech University, TALENT develops industry-approved alternative credentials to prepare customers for high-growth careers of the future. Here’s what Rachel had to say about being a Challenger.

Can you tell us a bit more about alternative credentials, and why someone would choose to go this path instead of the classic four-year model?

An alternative credential is a short program of learning focused on a specific set of outcomes or competencies. For example, a boot camp in data analytics, or a micro credential in customer experience design. These are perfect examples of developing competencies and skills that employers are looking for across Canada right now. The four-year model is still incredibly relevant; there’s still a lot of value to be derived by an individual securing a four year degree. But what we’ve been hearing for a long time now is that four-year degrees aren’t always able to keep up with the skills companies are looking to hire for. With that being said, something had to be brought into the Canadian market to supplement these four-year degrees, and make sure the skills we have as Canadians keep up with what employers are looking for.

Can you describe to us the moment that you realized that alternative credentials were the way to go for TALENT?

The genesis of this came from a bold declaration from our parent company, Ontario Tech University, that something had to be done about the skills gap. We need to serve our audience. With that, the notion of TALENT was born. When I was asked to come to launch this new entity, as a challenger, I was excited about this opportunity that I’ve been passionate about for a very long time now. The story began for me when I was working in the early stages of my career with students. I realized there was a considerable disconnect between the skills and competencies that I had been asked to utilize, and the curriculum I was being asked to deliver to my students. I didn’t feel good about that. I knew if I was going to be of service to my students I really had to do something about it. That brought me to Ontario Tech University. What I’m most excited about is that we are challenging the status quo. We really are attempting to do things differently, looking for alternative ways to skill Ontario’s work force rapidly and effectively, and to reduce the number of Canadians affected by job displacement.

Is there something in particular that the pandemic has brought to light for education to evolve?

A number of things and there’s still much to learn about how it’s affecting us. It’s definitely accelerated digital transformation. Organizations that have been toying with moving to the digital space quite frankly had no choice but to do so. Customers have become a lot more open to engaging with businesses in a digital way, more so than we ever have before. Connecting that back to education, because there’s been this rapid acceleration in digital transformation, employers are looking at their work force to help. However, the work force is in need of massive re-skilling. Alternative credentials are key to that because at their core they are about rapid development of skill with efficacy. Businesses can’t wait months or years for those skills.

How do alternative credentials make learning more accessible for marginalized groups?

Alternative credentials are an interesting way to provide new access opportunities to education. They are designed to work around someone’s work and personal commitments, so we can reach people we were never able to before. Equally, TALENT is taking a digital first strategy. Our students can access our skills development opportunities wherever they are in Canada, while still being connected to the institution. What I’m most excited about is that these are opportunities that are accessible to someone who may not have had access to formal learning after high school. This is a fairly low risk way of trying post secondary, or skills development.

Watch the full interview with Rachel here, and stay tuned to our Instagram for interviews with future Challengers!