About Work‑Integrated Learning and Co‑operative Education

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) defined

The national governing body for Work Integrated Learning, CEWIL Canada, defines Work Integrated Learning  as “a form of curricular experimental education that formally integrates a student’s academic studies with quality experiences within a workplace or practice setting. WIL experiences include an engaged partnership of at least: an academic institution, a host organization, and a student. WIL can occur at the course or program level and includes the development of student learning objectives and outcomes related to: employability, agency, knowledge, and skill mobility for life-long learning.”

Our mission

The Work Integrated Learning and Co-operative Education office acts as a liaison among students, employers and the university to:

• Identify and facilitate learning opportunities provided through a work term.
• Help students determine and develop skills and knowledge required for employment and identify related personal learning objectives.
• Deliver employability-related curriculum to help students be competitive in their job search and successful in the work-place.
• Coordinate WIL Co-op employment process for students and employers.
• Monitor and assist all WIL Co-op students and employers during the work term.

Liaise with each program’s faculty/school/department to ensure relevant and timely communication between industry and academia.

Work Integrated Learning values

Skills transfer, reflective learning and self-direction are key themes that underpin the Work Integrated Learning practices and drive the associated curriculum. The development of transferable skills and self-directing capabilities enables students to use increasingly complex skill sets in various contexts. This optimizes the students’ ability to transition between school and work and enhances their overall aptitude. The guiding principles of work integrated learning curriculum are summarized as:

• Learning through practice
• Learning through reflection
• Learning by doing
• Learning by skills and knowledge transfer

Co-op Defined

Co-op is an educational program that formally integrates academic study with relevant, paid work experience. The standard co-op program consists of periods of academic study combined with periods of work experience in appropriate employment fields. Co-op programs must meet the following requirements, set by CEWIL Canada:

• Students are engaged in work relevant to their academic studies.
• Students are engaged in work rather than mere observation.
• Students are remunerated for work performed.
• Students progress on the job is monitored by the university.
• Students produce a work term report that is evaluated by the university.
• Students performance on the job is supervised and evaluated by the employer.

Students who successfully complete the designated number of work terms outlined in their co-op program are awarded a Co-operative Education degree designation upon graduation.

Co-op Defined

Co-op is an educational program that formally integrates academic study with relevant, paid work experience. The standard co-op program consists of periods of academic study combined with periods of work experience in appropriate employment fields. Co-op programs must meet the following requirements, set by CEWIL Canada:

• Students are engaged in work relevant to their academic studies.
• Students are engaged in work rather than mere observation.
• Students are remunerated for work performed.
• Students progress on the job is monitored by the university.
• Students produce a work term report that is evaluated by the university.
• Students performance on the job is supervised and evaluated by the employer.

Students who successfully complete the designated number of work terms outlined in their co-op program are awarded a Co-operative Education degree designation upon graduation.

Field Placement Defined

The Field Placement program formally integrates academic study with relevant practical work experience for an intensive part-time and short-term hands work.  The standards are set by CEWIL Canada:

• Students are engaged in work relevant to their academic studies.
• Students are engaged in work rather than mere observation.
• Students are usually remunerated for work performed.
• Students’ progress on the job is monitored by the university.
• Students produce a work term report that is evaluated by the university.
• Students’ performance on the job is supervised and evaluated by the employer.
   

Work Experience Defined

The educational Work Experience program formally integrates academic study with relevant, paid work experience for one work term. The work term will take place later in a student’s undergraduate degree following the outline of their respective program.  The standard for the Work Experience Program are set by CEWIL Canada:

• Students are engaged in work relevant to their academic studies.
• Students are engaged in work rather than mere observation.
• Students are remunerated for work performed.
• Students progress on the job is monitored by the university.
• Students produce a work term report that is evaluated by the university.
• Students performance on the job is supervised and evaluated by the employer.