Dec. 9, 2021

Sometimes 13 isn’t such an unlucky number. For instance, it’s the number of times Seneca has been named one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers.

And Ted Moriarty, Seneca’s Director, Talent Management & Organizational Development, says luck has nothing to do with it.

“It’s not just being handed out to everyone, every year,” he said. “That makes me prouder of the achievement each time we receive it.”

Winners of the highly competitive annual competition are selected by Mediacorp Canada Inc. and evaluated on criteria such as physical workplace, vacation and leave policies, benefits and training and skills development.

When it comes to professional development, Mr. Moriarty says Seneca’s tuition assistance program for full-time employees is one of the best. It reimburses 80 per cent of tuition fees to a maximum of $20,000. Those completing doctorate credentials are entitled to an additional $5,000.

“When you couple our tuition assistance program with our professional development leaves and partial reimbursement of tuition for children of employees, it’s really impressive,” Mr. Moriarty said. “These are unique programs that add to Seneca’s draw for potential employees.”

This year, Seneca increased the tuition reimbursement by 30 per cent to make earning a new credential an option for more employees. On average, about 50 Seneca employees take advantage of the tuition assistance program each year.

“This sends a message that we want to make continuing education affordable,” Mr. Moriarty said. “Seneca places a very high value on professional development.”

In addition to tuition assistance, Seneca’s professional development and leadership programs enable employees to further their skills in management, technology, communications and other areas. Interpersonal skills, such as relationship-building and non-verbal communication, are also on the list.

Jason Cousins is a Seneca graduate who began his career at Seneca as a part-time computer technician. Today, more than 20 years later, the Manager, Technical Support & Interactive Technology, has completed two bachelor’s degrees, in education and computer science. He is now two courses away from obtaining his master of science and teaches in the School of Electronics & Mechanical Engineering Technology.

“I could have switched to a full-time faculty position,” Mr. Cousins said. “But I’m still growing in my management role.”

Likewise, Cindy Fong, Seneca’s Registrar, says when she thinks of Seneca, she thinks of growth opportunities.

“When I started here, I said I’d stay for five years,” she said. “Since 2005, I’ve been able to pursue new opportunities without leaving, and I’ve never stopped learning.”

In her 16 years at Seneca, Ms. Fong has participated in projects ranging from customer relationship management planning to website development and international initiatives. She is currently pursuing a master of business administration degree with the help of Seneca’s tuition assistance program.

“I’m not sure I would have been able to do it otherwise,” she said.

In addition to creating their own professional development plan, Ms. Fong says Seneca employees are encouraged to take advantage of less formal opportunities, such as joining project teams, committees and professional development workshops.

“If I work on the service side,” she said, “I can join the academic council, for example, to understand more clearly the academic schools and services at Seneca.”

Mr. Cousins agrees, adding that continuous learning benefits Seneca as much as the employees who take advantage of these opportunities.

“When you go back to school to get more education, you bring back innovative ideas to the workplace,” he said.