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.