By Jamie Noakes, President, ACE-WIL B.C./Yukon

March marks National Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) month in Canada, a time to recognize the role of experiential learning in connecting students, employers, and post-secondary institutions. At this time, institutions and organizations use the opportunity to highlight how WIL prepares students for meaningful careers and strengthens partnerships between education and industry.

Across British Columbia and the Yukon, WIL continues to grow as a vital part of students’ post-secondary experience. From co-operative education and internships to practicums and applied research, these opportunities place students in real-world environments where they can apply their learning and develop career-ready skills. Behind every successful WIL experience is a network of professionals who design programs, build employer relationships, support students, and collaborate across institutions.

Moving into work-integrated learning rarely follows a single path. Some arrive through career education, experiential learning, industry partnerships, or student services. WIL is not just a role – it is a community of practice. At a time when the post-secondary sector is navigating financial pressures and shifting priorities, professional learning and collaboration across institutions are more important than ever.

Finding Your WIL Community

One of the most valuable steps for someone new to the field is connecting with colleagues doing similar work.

ACE-WIL B.C./Yukon brings together practitioners from universities, colleges, and institutes across the region to share ideas, collaborate on challenges, and advance the quality of work-integrated learning. Through professional development opportunities, networking events, and communities of practice, the organization helps professionals strengthen their skills while building connections across institutions.

For those new to WIL, this community offers a space to explore questions many practitioners share:

• How do we design meaningful WIL experiences for students?
• How do we support employer partners effectively?
• How do we create inclusive and accessible learning environments in the workplace?

Learning from colleagues across the province can make entering the field feel far less daunting.

Supporting the WIL Student Journey

Professional development can also help practitioners build confidence and shared approaches to supporting students. The ACE-WIL Practitioner’s Professional Development: Supporting the WIL Student Journey course, offered through BCcampus in partnership with ACE-WIL B.C./Yukon, is designed for practitioners who work with students before, during, and after their WIL experiences.

The course explores practical topics such as preparing students for workplace learning, guiding reflection and skill development, and navigating challenges that may arise during placements. It also helps practitioners better understand how institutions, employers, and students work together to create meaningful WIL opportunities.

For many practitioners entering the field, the course provides a helpful starting point and a shared foundation for supporting student success.

Learning Together

Another valuable way to build knowledge and connections is through our annual conference, which brings together WIL practitioners from across the province and the Yukon. This year, we have joined forces with CACEE to host a joint conference at Thompson Rivers University on May 24-26, 2026.

The conference creates space to share innovative practices, explore emerging trends in experiential education, and learn from colleagues working across different institutions and WIL models. For new practitioners, these gatherings can be especially valuable for building networks and discovering new approaches to supporting students and employers.

Building the Future of WIL

Even during challenging times in the post-secondary sector, the importance of work-integrated learning continues to grow. WIL practitioners play an important role in helping students link their education to real-world experience. For those entering the field, professional learning opportunities and strong practitioner networks can make a meaningful difference.

By learning together – through initiatives like the ACE-WIL Course and gatherings like the ACE-WIL BC x CACEE Conference – we continue to strengthen the WIL community and support the success of students across our institutions.