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. 

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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

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Bridging Psychometrics and Competencies in a Technology Supported Youth Employment Pathway – Project Integrate

The project sought to gain insights into how digital tools could support the career decisions of young people in Canada and facilitate the work of employment service providers.
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AI and the Shifting Landscape of Future Skills and the Future of Work

This study aims to understand an existing gap between employers and employees regarding AI adoption and skills.
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Can Experiential Learning Go Virtual? Lessons Learned From Canadian Nursing Education During the Pandemic

Experiential learning (EL)—or learning by doing—is an essential component of many postsecondary education (PSE) programs. This type of training lets people develop hands-on skills and…
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