WHY SHOULD YOU PARTICIPATE IN WIL?

Work-Integrated Learning opportunities have many benefits to students, employers and educators.

Work-Integrated Learning can take so many shapes and forms, that the benefits observed are plentiful and varied. From a student's application to a Co-op position to their exit interview, they are putting into practice a set of professional skills such as communication and organization. On the flip side, employers must revisit and potentially consider better interviewing and onboarding processes which will will translate in more productive hiring practices for their full-time staff. Educators are key in the WIL ecosystem, acting as facilitators and mediators to help students realize their full potential and helping employers shape the next generation of workers.

YOU ARE.. AN EMPLOYER;

Don't underestimate the impacts that a fresh and younger perspective can have on your organization. Students can help you in many ways, such as lightening the work load of current employees, working on those projects that have been put on the back burner for quite some time, and bring new digital skills into your workplace. Through these placements, you'll:

  • Gain access to new thinking and ideas based on emerging research and practices through a deeper collaboration with post-secondary institutions
  • Be able to recruit graduates in the future, reducing your costs and risks during the recruitment of competent and motivated hires
  • Be advancing your business while improving your corporate image and investing in the future of the next generation of workers

And more! 

YOU ARE.. A STUDENT :

Through WIL experiences, you'll be providing your unique student perspective to your employer and making a positive impact, while potentially offering solutions to real-life problems or learning about a career you'd never considered before. Through these opportunities, you'll be able to:

  • Develop your sense of awareness of workplace culture and experience the true industry environment, to decide whether it's a right fit for you and your aspirations
  • Enhance your soft skills and technical skills to vary your experiences and become even more competitive in the labour market
  • Build a growing network of contacts and professional relations to help you learn more about different career paths and help you achieve them in the future

And more!

YOU ARE... AN EDUCATOR :

As a middleman between students and employers, you are well-positioned to enhance students' professional portfolio and provide employers dedicated and eager-to-learn students for their placements. Through WIL, you'll be helping:

  • Prepare students to transition into the workforce as capable and adaptable individuals, contributing to graduate employability
  • Facilitate discussion with employers in order to receive real-time feedback on student capability and skill requirements according to their program of studies and WIL placements
  • Provide opportunities for students to develop practical skills through WIL placements, such as problem-solving and managing ambiguity, and reflect upon their experiences

And more!