The Rural Development Network (RDN) supports rural sustainability by filling gaps in service and avoiding unnecessary duplication of services. RDN works with communities to amplify the "rural voice." They collaborate to identify and bring focus to rural issues, build local capacity, and find innovative, rural-based solutions to unique issues.

BHER and RDN have renewed their partnership to provide post-secondary institutions across Canada with streamlined access to Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities, and to connect employers from rural and remote communities to student talent. They have a focus on engaging equity-deserving groups while aiming to build a sustainable program that reduces barriers that rural and remote employers and students face when participating in WIL opportunities.

The project will create and facilitate 1,000 WIL opportunities through applied research projects, apprenticeships, field and clinical placements and practicums, co-operative education and other internships, as well as community service learning. Students will develop personal career insights as they apply their course-based work, build professional networks, and gain confidence in their skills.

For more information about the Rural Development Network, visit their website here: https://www.ruraldevelopment.ca/.