Jobs are evolving, skills are shifting and SAIT Continuing Education is designed to respond in real time. From emerging skill gaps to AI disruption, agility is the name of the game. According to Sara Struthers, Manager of Industry Engagement and Career Services at SAIT Continuing Education, that speed is exactly what sets Con Ed apart.
“What I like to tell people is that we get to do cool stuff fast,” Sara says. Unlike traditional diploma or degree programs that require extensive regulatory oversight, Continuing Education programs can be developed and launched in as little as 120 days. That means SAIT can respond to workforce needs as they emerge, not years later.
Every program is shaped and validated by industry. If it does not address a real need, it does not move forward. “If industry tells us the skill gap we’re trying to fill doesn’t exist, then we don’t run that program,” Sara explains. Instructors and subject matter experts come directly from industry, ensuring learners gain practical, relevant skills they can apply right away.
Sara’s path to SAIT
Sara’s career has always been rooted in listening and problem-solving. Originally from Montreal, she moved west, planning to stay for five years. Twenty years later, Alberta is home.
She began her career in her family’s industrial hardware business, serving oil and gas companies, engineers and fabrication shops. “For me, it was about solving problems,” she says. That mindset carried her into recruitment and business development, where she often advocated for candidates who didn’t initially appear as a fit on paper. “Talking to people and understanding both sides often revealed a fit that wasn’t obvious at first,” she says.
SAIT was one of her clients during that time, and its culture stood out. “You can feel it when you’re on campus,” she says. When an opportunity to join SAIT came up five years ago, she did not hesitate. Today, she describes the work as deeply fulfilling. “It’s inspiring working for an organization where the values really are what we say they are.”
Partnering with industry in meaningful ways
SAIT Continuing Education works with organizations in many ways, from co-designing programs to customizing training. If employers are struggling to hire due to missing skills, that insight can lead to new micro-credentials or tailored learning for existing teams.
“We look for ways to work with industry,” Sara says. “If we can tailor something to what people are actually looking for, we’ll try.” She also highlights the importance of collaboration across SAIT to ensure alignment between Continuing Education and credit programs.
Supporting individuals through career change and AI disruption
Beyond employers, SAIT Continuing Education supports individuals navigating change, especially mid-career professionals. One key resource is SAIT’s free online career platform, My Career Pathways, designed for people with at least five years of work experience. Users can upload a resume, see how their skills translate into other roles, identify gaps and explore recommended courses. The platform also highlights skills that may be impacted by AI.
“Sometimes people don’t realize that what comes naturally to them is actually a skill,” Sara says. “We help people figure that out.”
SAIT also offers one-on-one coaching with International Coaching Federation qualified coaches, along with resume and LinkedIn support, interview preparation and guidance on using AI tools responsibly. These services help people make confident, informed decisions without committing to a full degree or diploma.
As AI continues to reshape workplaces, Sara encourages organizations to approach it thoughtfully. “It’s not about replacing employees,” she says. “It’s about helping them work smarter.”
For Sara, the work is about meeting people where they are—and helping them move forward with clarity and confidence.
To learn more about SAIT Continuing Education, visit: https://www.sait.ca/continuing-education
For more information about My Career Pathways, visit: https://www.sait.ca/continuing-education/student-resources/my-career-pathways
Learn more about My Career Mentor here: https://www.sait.ca/continuing-education/student-resources/my-career-mentor
