ACE-WIL Town Hall: COWIL Panel Discussion — Insights on Work-Integrated Learning from Northern and Interior B.C.

*Note: This session has passed. Please view the resources and recordings below.

Join us for a panel showcasing three co-op and work-integrated learning (WIL) projects from the North and Interior of B.C. Panelists will provide an overview of their projects, describe the unique challenges and adaptations made in WIL for students/employers/WIL practitioners in the region, and share their lessons learned for delivering WIL in different contexts. ACE-WIL president Anna Jubilo will also provide a 2023 conference planning update. Three panelists will represent Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT), College of New Caledonia (CNC), and the Tri-University Interior and Northern WIL Hub Project.

Project: Implementation of Co-op and Enhancement of WIL Opportunities at NVIT

Project Description: This project builds on work currently underway to re-establish WIL programs at NVIT. In partnership with the Merritt Chamber of Commerce, NVIT will create 50+ WIL opportunities for Indigenous students, widen its network of employers, and continue to support faculty to integrate WIL into their courses. Employers will be supported in hiring and locating additional funding for students.

Project: Connecting the North: Northern WIL Hub Project

Project Description: This project is a partnership of Coast Mountain College, CNC, and local chambers of commerce to engage with employers to secure 100+ WIL placements for students. The project will raise awareness of the benefits of WIL among local employers and provide them with supports to access funding sources to hire students. The initiative includes a strong focus on supporting small and medium enterprises and Indigenous businesses and organizations to participate in WIL programs.

Project: Tri-University Interior and Northern WIL Hub and Outreach Strategy

Project Description: This project is a partnership between UBC Okanagan, University of Northern British Columbia, and Thompson Rivers University that builds on joint work underway to support employers in Interior and Northern communities to hire students for 130 WIL placements. The target is to recruit 250 new employers to participate in WIL programs and create 20 per cent of new WIL placements in rural and Indigenous communities.

This event is free. To ensure we have an inclusive and welcoming environment for all, we’ve added registration to all our sessions.

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