Business Plan for Pathfinder - A Career Readiness Online Platform
About Pathfinder: The Pathfinder career-readiness platform empowers young Canadians to map their career journeys and unlock their future. By offering a comprehensive suite of resources - including an economic empowerment community, job readiness skills training, mentorship, scholarships, virtual STEM labs, micro-credentials, and entrepreneurship activities - Pathfinder equips young people with the tools to explore diverse career paths, develop crucial skills, and make informed decisions about their future. This holistic approach not only fosters individual growth but also cultivates a new generation of talent ready to contribute meaningfully to Canada's dynamic economic landscape, bridging the gap between education and the evolving needs of the workforce.We would like student-consultants to conduct a Feasibility Study and a SMART business plan for Pathfinder encompassing the following componentsRegulatory Environment Analysis:Identify key provincial/territorial education authorities and competency frameworksEnsure Pathfinder aligns with relevant policies and guidelinesEstablish open communication with government agencies and education ministriesMarket Forces and Competitive Landscape:Analyze market trends, challenges, and opportunities in career-connected learningEvaluate competitors like SkillCity to identify Pathfinder's unique value propositionAssess schools' and districts' willingness to adopt technology-driven solutionsGeographic Analysis and Expansion:Prioritize target markets based on student population, career learning emphasis, and receptivenessDevelop a phased expansion strategy starting with high-priority provincesCompetitor Analysis and Positioning:Monitor competitor activities and roadmaps to identify differentiation opportunitiesAnalyze strengths, weaknesses, and unique value propositions of competitorsExplore strategic partnerships or initiatives to gain competitive advantageRevenue Projections and Pricing:Develop an affordable pricing model for schools and districtsEstimate customer base, subscription rates, and revenue streamsForecast revenue growth considering market penetration and new revenue opportunities
Online Training Course Design
Skillcity Institute provides essential skills training programs and workforce development services. We seek support to design a new online training course with a bold curriculum that will lead to a recognized certificate. To make training more convenient, we hope to transform our training programs into online courses. The course outline will be provided to students. We would like to work with students to determine what features, content, and materials should be included in the online training course. Based on this information, students can then recommend the platform that would be most suitable.Tasks include:Gathering relevant course design and content information from interviews / surveys with key stakeholders.Researching options for our online training platform.Assessing existing online training platforms and recommending the best platform for our course.Reviewing our existing training material and making recommendations.Assisting in designing the course and revising training material.
Fundraising & Grant Writing
Our organization is interested in addressing societal issues and supporting social causes. However, we are currently facing funding challenges.We would like to collaborate with students to find and complete grant applications.This will involve several different steps for the students, including:Familiarizing themselves with our vision statement and a project we have defined.Developing a needs statement that characterizes the community problem and justifies the need for our project and funding.Identifying potential sponsors and funding opportunities that are a good fit for our organization and project (prospects research).Improving the clarity and persuasiveness of our company's grant proposal writing.Developing a Case for Support and other fund development assets; such as expression of interest templates, value proposition statement, logic model, impact statements, grant budget template, infographics, etc.Writing multiple funding proposals addressed to corporate sponsors and other potential donors.Bonus steps in the process would also include:Identifying new opportunities for community projects.
Pathfinder - Career Readiness Online Platform Development (Version 3)
Extensible Web Platform: Create a robust framework supporting customizable e-portfolios for users to showcase their STEM skills and achievements.Integration with REST APIs: Enable seamless connectivity with external tools and platforms, enhancing functionality and user experience.Resources for Career Readiness: Provide curated resources, guidance, and educational materials focused on preparing users for careers in STEM careers and high-skilled occupations.Accessibility Focus: Implement design and usability features that cater to diverse learners including neurodivergent individuals Analytics and Reporting Tools: Develop tools to monitor user engagement, track platform usage patterns, and assess the effectiveness of career readiness resources.
Monthly Newsletter Publication for Skillcity Institute
The main goal of the project is to create a monthly communications piece that is filled with valuable stories and information resources to support clients’ journeys towards upward economic mobility. This is a key communication strategy to remind stakeholders about the importance of Skillcity Institute's work and to demonstrate that Skillcity is deserving of a person’s time (potential volunteers) and or money (funders). The project also aims to build a community around key issues and trends relating to Skillcity's mandate to design innovative solutions to close the skills and economic gap for equity-deserving groups.Some of the content could include industry trends, new developments in STEM, the evolving landscape of work in the 21st century, scholarships, Neurodiversity in Education and industry, hackathons, etc. The challenge is developing the structure, detailed content, and ensuring that the content is relevant and of interest to our audience.
SEO & Social Media Development
Our team is looking to take our social media presence to the next level in order to drive traffic to our pages. To do this, we hope to improve our search engine optimization, and create an optimal schedule for our social media posts to be uploaded.This will involve several different steps for students, including:Researching keywords to determine the most relevant terms that our customers search for.Researching Search Engine Optimization requirements for us to rank on the first page of Google.Constructing a content calendar to upload social media content for the maximum possible traffic .Creating social media content using the most efficient keywords for our target audience while following the content calendar.Working with our programs team to curate relevant content and highlights from our programs and activities.Creating appropriate content tailored for multiple SM platforms, while ensuring synergy across platforms.Organize social media live events that foster community engagement.
Monthly Newsletter Publication for Skillcity Institute
The main goal of the project is to create a monthly communications piece that is filled with valuable stories and information resources to support clients’ journeys towards upward economic mobility. This is a key communication strategy to remind stakeholders about the importance of Skillcity Institute's work and to demonstrate that Skillcity is deserving of a person’s time (potential volunteers) and or money (funders). The project also aims to build a community around key issues and trends relating to Skillcity's mandate to design innovative solutions to close the skills and economic gap for equity-deserving groups.Some of the content could include industry trends, new developments in STEM, the evolving landscape of work in the 21st century, scholarships, Neurodiversity in Education and industry, hackathons, etc. The challenge is developing the structure, detailed content, and ensuring that the content is relevant and of interest to our audience.
Online Training Course Design
Skillcity Institute provides essential skills training programs and workforce development services. We seek support to design a new online training course with a bold curriculum that will lead to a recognized certificate. To make training more convenient, we hope to transform our training programs into online courses. The course outline will be provided to students. We would like to work with students to determine what features, content, and materials should be included in the online training course. Based on this information, students can then recommend the platform that would be most suitable.Tasks include:Gathering relevant course design and content information from interviews / surveys with key stakeholders.Researching options for our online training platform.Assessing existing online training platforms and recommending the best platform for our course.Reviewing our existing training material and making recommendations.Assisting in designing the course and revising training material.
Social Media and Newsletter Content Development for Skillcity Institute
The main goal for the project is to create engaging and informative content for Skillcity Institute's social media platforms and newsletters. The content should align with the company's mission of bridging the skills gap and promoting careers education, STEM talent development, and 21st Century skills for economic mobility. This will involve several different steps for the students, including:- Researching and understanding the target audience and their interests.- Creating a content calendar for social media and newsletters.- Developing engaging and relevant content related to careers education, STEM talent development, and 21st Century skills.- Collaborating with the marketing team to ensure the content aligns with the company's branding and messaging.
Neurodiversity Champions Movement
The main goal of the project is to develop a program for Skillcity's Neurodiversity Champions Movement, which includes creating an online resource network hub and local engagement initiatives. The aim is to celebrate and harness the power of neurodivergent minds through education, awareness creation, culture shift, stakeholder engagement, mentoring and support, and creating neuro-inclusive spaces and practices in schools and companies.
Online Training Course Design
Skillcity Institute provides essential skills training programs and workforce development services. We seek support to design a new online training course with a bold curriculum that will lead to a recognized certificate. To make training more convenient, we hope to transform our training programs into online courses. The course outline will be provided to students. We would like to work with students to determine what features, content, and materials should be included in the online training course. Based on this information, students can then recommend the platform that would be most suitable.Tasks include:Gathering relevant course design and content information from interviews / surveys with key stakeholders.Researching options for our online training platform.Assessing existing online training platforms and recommending the best platform for our course.Reviewing our existing training material and making recommendations.Assisting in designing the course and revising training material.
Feasibility Study Childcare Matchmaking Service Social Enterprise Venture
The main goal of Skillcity's project is to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study to establish a social enterprise venture focused on delivering affordable childcare and related services in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The objective is to formulate a resilient social enterprise business model that will align with market demands and social and economic benefits, ensuring long-term sustainability. This will involve tasks such as market fit analysis, revenue model formulation, financing plan, partnership development, technological model development, and adherence to local regulatory requirements.
Enhancing Brand Equity, Social Capital, and Funding Streams
Skillcity Institute is on a mission to elevate its brand equity, boost social capital, and secure new funding sources to advance its mission. We invite student groups to collaborate on various activities grouped into distinct categories for streamlined coordination. We have organized these activities into categories to provide a clear framework for students to choose and coordinate their projects effectively.
Feasibility Study and Social Enterprise Business Model Development
The main goal for the project is to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study for the social enterprise venture of a respite childcare co-op online technology platform solution with a matching service, and potentially include a mobile pop-up event babysitting service, Night childcare service, other home care matching service in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. This includes developing a social enterprise business model, revenue model, and financing strategy based on market research and affordability plan. The project also involves creating a service-barter model, partnership and sponsorship development assets, business case, and value proposition realignment for social and economic benefit. Additionally, the project aims to identify customer segments, target market strategy, social impact strategy, stakeholder engagement strategy, technology model development, human resource strategy, lean startup strategy, community and volunteer engagement strategy, budgeting, communication and marketing strategy, brand strategy, sustainability plan, value chains, revenue streams, and B2B or B2C strategy. The project will also address local regulatory requirements and conduct risk/benefit analysis and breakeven analysis.
Crafting Brand Messaging and Assets, Improving Web and Social Media Presence of Skillcity Institute
The main goal of the project is to improve the web and social media presence of Skillcity Institute by crafting brand messaging and assets. This includes integrating social media components and strategies, creating brand assets, and improving web presence and messaging.
Social Enterprise Financing Strategy and Implementation Model Plan
The main goal for the project is to create a financing strategy and implementation model plan for Skillcity Institute's social enterprise venture, launching a VR Gaming arena as a franchisee in Edmonton Alberta Canada under Another World VR Gaming Franchise. The plan should integrate well into the current market and align with the organizational and fund development goals of Skillcity Institute.This will involve several different steps for the students, including:- Conducting market research on the VR Gaming industry in Edmonton Alberta Canada.- Analyzing the financial needs and goals of the social enterprise venture.- Developing a financing strategy and implementation model plan that aligns with the organizational goals of Skillcity Institute.- Creating financial projections and forecasts for the VR Gaming arena franchise.- Identifying potential sources of funding and investment for the venture.- Assessing the financial risks and opportunities associated with the venture.
Social Enterprise Business Strategy, Fund Development, and Operational Plan
The main goal for the project is to create a comprehensive social enterprise business strategy, fund development, and operational plan for Skillcity Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bridging the skills gap through innovative programs designed to help young people gain the skills and competences they need to succeed in a fast-changing world of work. This will involve several different steps for the students, including:- Conducting a thorough analysis of the organization's current business model, operations, and financials.- Developing a social enterprise business strategy that aligns with the organization's mission and goals.- Creating a fund development plan to secure financial resources for the organization's programs and initiatives.- Designing an operational plan to ensure the effective implementation of the business strategy and fund development efforts.
Fundraising & Grant Writing
Our organization is interested in addressing societal issues and supporting social causes. However, we are currently facing funding challenges.We would like to collaborate with students to find and complete grant applications.This will involve several different steps for the students, including:Familiarizing themselves with our vision statement and a project we have defined.Developing a needs statement that characterizes the community problem and justifies the need for our project and funding.Identifying potential sponsors and funding opportunities that are a good fit for our organization and project (prospects research).Improving the clarity and persuasiveness of our company's grant proposal writing.Developing a Case for Support and other fund development assets; such as expression of interest templates, value proposition statement, logic model, impact statements, grant budget template, infographics, etc.Writing multiple funding proposals addressed to corporate sponsors and other potential donors.Bonus steps in the process would also include:Identifying new opportunities for community projects.
SEO and Social Media Strategy
Our team is looking to take our social media presence to the next level in order to drive traffic to our pages. To do this, we hope to improve our search engine optimization, and create an optimal schedule for our social media posts to be uploaded.This will involve several different steps for students, including:Researching keywords to determine the most relevant terms that our customers search for.Researching Search Engine Optimization requirements for us to rank on the first page of Google.Constructing a content calendar to upload social media content for the maximum possible traffic .Creating social media content using the most efficient keywords for our target audience while following the content calendar.Working with our programs team to curate relevant content and highlights from our programs and activities.Creating appropriate content tailored for multiple SM platforms, while ensuring synergy across platforms.Organize social media live events that foster community engagement.