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 components

Regulatory Environment Analysis:

• Identify key provincial/territorial education authorities and competency frameworks
• Ensure Pathfinder aligns with relevant policies and guidelines
• Establish open communication with government agencies and education ministries

Market Forces and Competitive Landscape:

• Analyze market trends, challenges, and opportunities in career-connected learning
• Evaluate competitors like SkillCity to identify Pathfinder's unique value proposition
• Assess schools' and districts' willingness to adopt technology-driven solutions

Geographic Analysis and Expansion:

• Prioritize target markets based on student population, career learning emphasis, and receptiveness
• Develop a phased expansion strategy starting with high-priority provinces

Competitor Analysis and Positioning:

• Monitor competitor activities and roadmaps to identify differentiation opportunities
• Analyze strengths, weaknesses, and unique value propositions of competitors
• Explore strategic partnerships or initiatives to gain competitive advantage

Revenue Projections and Pricing:

• Develop an affordable pricing model for schools and districts
• Estimate customer base, subscription rates, and revenue streams
• Forecast revenue growth considering market penetration and new revenue opportunities

a) Stakeholder Engagement and Needs Assessment:

• Identify the key stakeholders, including provincial/territorial education authorities, school districts, and potential partners.
• Conduct interviews and surveys to understand the needs, pain points, and priorities of these stakeholders regarding career-connected learning solutions.
• Synthesize the findings to inform the development of Pathfinder's offerings and value proposition.

b) Market Landscape Analysis:

• Research the current state of career-connected learning initiatives and technology-driven solutions in the Canadian education system.
• Analyze the market dynamics, emerging trends, and evolving student and educator preferences.
• Evaluate the competitive landscape, including the strengths and weaknesses of potential rivals like SkillCity.

c) Regulatory Alignment and Compliance:

• Thoroughly review the relevant policies, guidelines, and competency frameworks established by provincial/territorial education authorities.
• Assess the regulatory requirements and ensure Pathfinder's offerings are aligned with the necessary standards and guidelines.
• Establish collaborative partnerships with government agencies and education ministries to maintain open communication and ensure ongoing compliance.

d) Product-Market Fit and Differentiation:

• Analyze the insights from the stakeholder engagement and market landscape analysis to identify unmet needs and opportunities.
• Develop a clear understanding of Pathfinder's unique value proposition and how it can effectively address the pain points of the target market.
• Design Pathfinder's product features, user experience, and delivery model to differentiate it from competitors and maximize its appeal to schools and districts.

e) Expansion Strategy and Prioritization:

• Evaluate the potential for Pathfinder's growth and expansion across different provinces and territories.
• Prioritize the initial target markets based on factors such as market size, growth potential, regulatory alignment, and access to potential partners and customers.
• Develop a phased expansion plan to gradually build Pathfinder's presence and establish a strong foothold in the Canadian market.

f) Financial Modeling and Pricing:

• Estimate the potential customer base, subscription rates, and revenue streams for Pathfinder's offerings.
• Develop a pricing model that balances affordability for schools and districts with Pathfinder's need to generate sustainable revenue.
• Prepare financial projections and forecasts to assess the long-term viability and profitability of the business plan.

By completing these tasks, the learners will gather the necessary insights, develop a deep understanding of the market, and create a comprehensive business plan that aligns Pathfinder's offerings with the unique needs and requirements of the Canadian education landscape.

Skillcity Institute is excited to welcome students to collaborate on the  Business Plan for Pathfinder - A Career Readiness Online Platform.

Committed to ensuring the students' success, Skillcity will provide dedicated staff time for supervision and mentoring, fostering regular communication and collaboration. Supervision includes check-ins and feedback to guide project progress and maintain alignment with Skillcity's goals. Students will have access to organizational data, including our current business model and financials, facilitating in-depth analysis.

Moreover, we offer access to relevant software and tools, as well as orientation on relevant sectoral information, which will enhance the student's research and skill development. We hope that this support will enrich the student's learning experience and contribute to the creation of a high-quality final project. Skillcity is confident in the success of this collaboration and looks forward to achieving impactful results together with the students.