Defining Work–Integrated Learning
Work-integrated learning (WIL) can be incorporated into programs of study in many ways. This quick guide will give you an overview of available WIL options and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
The Alberta Post-Secondary Programs department released its Guidelines for Work Integrated Learning in late 2020 and defines WIL as ”experiential learning in a workplace setting, including cooperative education, internship, service learning, field placement, mandatory clinical placement, or directed field study” (Alberta Advanced Education, 2020, p.1).
The Business/Higher Education Roundtable (BHER) defines each of these options in its Taking the Pulse of Work-Integrated Learning in Canada report (Academica Group, n.d.). However, BHER expands upon the Alberta government’s definition and includes other types of WIL.
BHER
The Business/Higher Education Roundtable (BHER) is a national forum established by the Business Council of Canada to ”support young Canadians as they transition from education to the workplace, strengthen research collaboration between industry and institutions, and help Canadian employers as they adapt to the economy of the future” (Academica Group, n.d., p. 3). The BHER forum is made up of leaders in business and post-secondary institutions. One of BHER’s goals is ensuring that all Canadian post-secondary students benefit from some type of work-integrated learning before they graduate. In fact, BHER’s work with the Government of Canada is guided by the goal of creating 44 thousand WIL opportunities for students (Business and Higher Education Roundtable, n.d.). Learn more at bher.ca
Structured Work Experience:
Becoming familiar with the field of work as part of the program of study
| Type of WIL | Definition | Advantages | Disadvantages | Programs Most Commonly found in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooperative Education | Periods of study alternate with work placements (min 30% of program). Typically a paid placement. |
|
|
|
| Internships | Work experience, usually a year or more in length, near the end of the program. Typically a paid placement, but unpaid occurs. |
|
|
|
| Mandatory Professional Practice(i.e., clinical placement, practicums, and preceptorships) | Work placements required for professional license. Paid and unpaid. |
|
|
|
| Field Placement | Work related placements that are not required for a professional license. Typically unpaid. |
|
|
|
| Directed Field Study (DFS) | Comprises the fourth year of study of an applied degree program and provides career preparation in specific fields and industries through a combination of theoretical and experiential learning. |
|
|
|
Institutional Partnerships:
Activities offered by the post-secondary institution that achieve industry or community goals
| Type of WIL | Definition | Advantages | Disadvantages | Programs Most Commonly found in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Research | Research project, usually with an industry partner, designed to solve a real-world problem. Paid and unpaid. |
|
|
|
| Service Learning | A range or activities that provide benefit to the learning experience and the service provider |
|
|
|
BHER also notes the following as emerging trends in WIL.
| Type of WIL | Definition | Advantages | Disadvantages | Programs Most Commonly found in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Incubators and Accelerators | Space for aspiring entrepreneurs that provides business assistance. Typically must apply to access the resources |
|
|
|
| Bootcamps and Hackathons | Short, intensive courses or programs focused on skill development. Usually a private educational opportunity, but movement towards offering as an upskilling or recruitment opportunity in PSE. |
|
|
|
| Badges/Co-Curricular Records | A way of documenting the knowledge and skills built in WIL |
|
|
|
References
Academica Group. (n.d.). Taking the pulse of work-integrated learning in Canada [PDF file]. Business/Higher Education Roundtable. https://www.bher.ca/sites/default/files/documents/2020-08/BHER-Academica-report-full.pdf
Alberta Advanced Education, Post-secondary programs department. (2020). Guidelines: Work integrated learning [Unpublished report].
Business and Higher Education Roundtable (n.d.). Work-integrated learning. https://www.bher.ca/work-integrated-learning-0
https://www.bher.ca/category/reports/taking-pulse-work-integrated-learning-canada-full-report
