The data was further examined to see if the proximity of Job Connect programs was a factor in developing linkages with Academic Upgrading. Program leads were asked to identify where Job Connect was located. Thirteen Academic Upgrading programs were co-located with Job Connect, seven were located within a 2 km radius, while another seven were located beyond a 2 km radius.

The data was further examined to see if the proximity of Job Connect programs was a factor in developing linkages with Academic Upgrading. Program leads were asked to identify where Job Connect was located. Thirteen Academic Upgrading programs were co-located with Job Connect, seven were located within a 2 km radius, while another seven were located beyond a 2 km radius.

Correlations were studied between the three locations and each of the eight types of linkages. Two strong positive correlations were found. The first one (.43) indicated that the more closely situated Job Connect was to Academic Upgrading, the more likely Academic Upgrading was to provide information sessions or workshops to Job Connect staff or clients. The second correlation (.34) showed that the closer college Job Connect programs were to Academic Upgrading, the greater the flow of student referrals from Academic Upgrading to the college Job Connect programs.

A strong inverse correlation (- .33) was also discovered between the proximity of Job Connect and the tracking of Job Connect referrals by Academic Upgrading programs. This correlation showed that the farther Job Connect was situated from Academic Upgrading, the more likely Academic Upgrading was to track referrals from Job Connect. One explanation is that distance demands a more formal relationship between the two programs.

Several program delivery leads commented on current and planned activities with Job Connect. Some identified the need for a closer working relationship with Job Connect, “More interaction around case management would be a positive step,” and “The LBS department has met and worked with Job Connect, but a closer working relationship is planned.” Some described specific activities that were in the development stage with Job Connect including a common intake process, common referral format and tracking of Job Connect referrals. Others, however, pointed to barriers in developing closer ties to Job Connect:

Job Connect is community-based (not in the college) and it has been harder to plan co-operatively. Through the LSP, we have recently begun to work together, but it is definitely in the preliminary stages. Job Connect is much more likely to refer to Pre-Apprenticeship, which they do.