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Partners
Calgary Economic Development
Locations
Alberta

Additional Partners

Mount Royal University, University of Calgary, Ambrose University, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, St. Mary’s University, Bow Valley College, Magnet, Orbis Communications

Topics
Future Skills
Pathways to Jobs
SME Adaptability
Work-integrated Learning
Home| Innovation Projects|Project

Calgary Regional WIL Secretariate and Portal 

Work-integrated learning (WIL) gives people the chance to apply the skills they have learned in the classroom while gaining on-the-job experience and pathways to meaningful careers in  emerging, high-demand sectors. 

Evaluation Report:
Work Integrated Learning Evaluation Report

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Through FSC’s $2.9 million investment, Calgary Economic Development (CED) is developing a one-stop, online portal for WIL opportunities in the region. These paid work placements focus on gaining hands-on experience from industry experts over the course of a student’s academic studies. Placements can be co-ops, internships, applied research projects or field placements.

person using a laptop and writing in a notebook

This innovative model and central platform will support economic growth and inclusion through WIL for post-secondary students, and will benefit jobseekers, employers and the Alberta economy.This initiative will also make WIL more accessible to non-traditional participants such as mature learners, youth, and organizations not typically connected to post-secondary institutions. 

CED and multiple local stakeholders have come together to form a consortium with technology partners Magnet and Orbis Communications, in order to demonstrate the viability of deploying a regional WIL model and to identify and address issues around broader applicability for communities and regions across Canada. 

This work is immediately contributing to Calgary’s economic transformation, while also providing insights for a more systematic way for employers to collaborate with post-secondary institutions. 

Featured Projects

Research

Advancing Pathways to Neurodivergent Self-Employment

  • March 2026
  • Signal49 Research (formerly The Conference Board of Canada)
For many neurodivergent professionals who encounter barriers in traditional workplaces, self-employment is more than an alternative. It can provide a way to work that aligns with their needs, draws on their strengths, and reduces environmental stressors. Yet many supported employment programs do not routinely include self-employment as a career option for clients.
1 Related Reports
Workers working in modern large winery factory
Project

Inclusive Work Integrated Learning – What works for whom?

  • June 2026
  • Diversity Institute
The IntegratED program was designed to address the skills gap and labour market challenges in Manitoba’s food and beverage manufacturing industry by providing skills training and work experience to support international students and recent newcomer graduates in STEM fields.
2 Related Reports
A group of individuals looking at computer screens.
Research

The Future is Social and Emotionalexternal link icon

  • December 2019
Demand for skilled employees is not new, but the skills considered “in demand” have evolved. While developing skills is a life-long endeavour, the skills that Canadians learn through post-secondary training are key to workplace success. Demand for social and emotional skills is growing. Are we doing enough to prepare Canadians for the evolving workplace?
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