KPI Graduate & Employer Surveys
The KPI Graduate Outcomes and Employer Survey measures the satisfaction of Ontario college graduates with their college education and employment outcomes following graduation. It assesses perceptions on how well the college experience has prepared them to meet their goals after graduation as well as the needs of their employers.
In collaboration with the provincial government, graduates are contacted by Forum Research Inc., an independent research firm, and requested to complete the survey regarding their education and employment status.
The Graduate Survey conducted six months after graduation provides data for three of the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) developed in 1998:
- Graduate Satisfaction Rate: % of graduates perceived their college education was useful to them in achieving their goals;
- Graduate Employment Rate: % of graduates working full or part time within 6 months of graduation;
- Employer Satisfaction Rate: % employers satisfied with the college graduate that they hired. Graduates are optionally asked on the survey about their current employer, and a follow up survey with employers provides data for this KPI.
It also provides data for the 2020-25 Strategic Mandate Agreement (SMA3) metric “Graduate Employment in a Related Field”.
A similar survey is also conducted two years after graduation.
Any questions about this survey and/or opt-out requests may be directed to [email protected].
Purpose of the Survey
The Graduate Survey is a measure of graduate satisfaction with college programs and the percentage of college graduates who found employment within six months of graduation.
Niagara College uses the feedback from surveys to make changes to programs that benefit future students, such as:
- strengthening programs we offer;
- ensure job-readiness for our graduates;
- ensure our programs are current and relevant.
The information is used by Niagara College to help students
and graduates make informed career decisions and to review programs for quality assurance and continuous improvement purposes.
What Participation Involves
Graduates will receive an email to complete the survey online, with a reminder sent by SMS invite, followed by telephone outreach.
This survey is conducted by Forum Research on behalf of the provincial government and Ontario colleges.
It provides an opportunity for graduates to comment on their career success and satisfaction as a college graduate. Survey questions focus on:
- satisfaction with aspects of college programs and services six months after graduation;
- graduates who found employment within six months of graduation;
- graduate satisfaction with the usefulness of their education to achieve their goals.
Completing the survey is optional, however a few moments of your time to provide input can inform future directions for the college.
Eligibility to Participate, Fielding Periods
The respondent must have graduated from an eligible college program in Ontario within a specified period. Please refer the schedule below:
INCENTIVES
As a token of appreciation for your time and effort, each respondent who chooses to complete the survey is eligible to receive a $5 gift card.
Confidentiality
The information from this survey is being collected under the authority subsection 8(2) of Ontario Regulation 34/03 made under the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act.
All responses are confidential. Responses will be reported in aggregate, except for comments which will be anonymized but otherwise reported as submitted.
Niagara College Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Policy