Discussions surrounding the mismatch between labour market needs and graduate competences are timeworn but to date nothing much has been achieved. Solutions such as tracer studies, conferences, attachments and internships have been tried and have not yet brought satisfactory results. This paper contributes yet another strategy, career workshops. Though not commonly used, this approach can add significant impact because it provides a free flow of information and highly interactive learning experiences and can establish synergy between labour market needs and the needs of higher education institutions. A well-organized career workshop provides opportunity for discussions, displays and other interactions which are rich strategies for data collection. Unfortunately, these workshops are usually not regarded as a research approach, hence they are referred herein as a non-traditional approach. However, a workshop exhibits most of the characteristics of empirical research: it has a topic, objectives and systematic steps to follow as well as clear procedures for arriving at lessons. The outcomes are beneficial and they include networking, giving feedback to program staff and promoting the public image of adult education. The implications for both the labour market and higher institutions of learning include: increased collaboration between the two; improved understanding of products; regular exchange of ideas and implementation of lessons learned. Effective use of career workshops as research strategies should be supported by clear philosophies, structures and resources.