Talent Pathways continues to open doors to Dal

Since 2018, the Dalhousie Talent Pathways program has hired more than 50 employees in short-term positions throughout the university in areas where support was needed the most, particularly during the pandemic. The Human Resources department launched the program to help reduce barriers for equity-deserving candidates seeking meaningful employment at Dalhousie.

Jhoyce Oril learned about Talent Pathways from a friend working at Dal, who told her to apply to the program and as she says, “the rest is history”. Hired in 2019 as a human resources clerk in Academic Staff Relations, a unit within the Human Resources department, Oril began a two-month contract that was extended nearly a year.

It opened the doors to another opportunity on campus, and in July 2020 Oril began her new role as undergraduate secretary and director’s assistant in the School of Planning, Faculty of Architecture and Planning, which has been recently extended for two more years.

“The Talent Pathways program has been my stepping stone,” says Oril. “I was able to find my way to my current position for a longer term, which benefits me practically and also helps boost my career.”

Developing valuable skills and competencies

Talent Pathways provides equity-deserving, job-ready candidates an opportunity to gain valuable working experience, while developing skills and competencies that may assist in finding further employment at Dalhousie.

“As a candidate, you need to trust the skills and experience you have when applying to Talent Pathways,” adds Oril. “The program allowed me to gain university operational knowledge both in the back- and front-end that I wouldn’t have been able to get anywhere else. I’m proud to consider Dal as my first Canadian employer.”

Hiring managers are encouraged to contact Mitchell Breau, Talent Pathways coordinator, when considering filling a short-term position. The Talent Pathways program is an important resource for faculties and departments trying to source qualified talent.

Breau works with HR partners on campus to understand the needs of each position and share available candidates in the Talent Pathways hiring pool that is continuously growing. He also works closely with community organizations such as Immigration Services Association of Nova Scotia and TEAM Work Cooperative to ensure equity-deserving candidates are aware of the program and consider Dal when applying for short-term positions. Further information on how to access Talent Pathways for hiring managers is available on the HR site of myDal.   

“I worked for the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Manila for nine years before my family migrated to Nova Scotia in 2018, despite trying to be persuaded by my in-laws to move to Ontario (we are persuading them to move here instead!),” adds Oril. “We chose Halifax because it is a perfect blend of urban and rural communities, the harmony of bodies of water, landscapes of nature, and of course, my husband and I both found jobs at Dalhousie and Nova Scotia Health Authority. It is so humbling for us to live, work, and play here.”

Who is the Talent Pathways Program looking for?

Equity-deserving candidates seeking short-term employment are invited to submit their cover letter, resume and workforce questionnaire online through an ongoing Talent Pathways posting on our recruitment system through PeopleAdmin.

Candidates will be contacted for discussion as opportunities become available and applications are kept on file for one year as part of the temporary hiring pool.
To learn more about the Talent Pathways Program visit www.dal.ca/TalentPathways.