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. 

Download Report

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

Seated person smiling during a meeting
Project

Reboot Plus Expansion

The Reboot Plus Expansion program, led by Douglas College and PEERs Employment & Education Resources, aims to re-engage youth aged 17–24 who are at risk of not finishing high school or are unsure of their academic and career trajectories.
Two people smiling while looking at something off screen
Research

Mentorship in the Workplace: Employee Participation and Perspectives

Workplace mentorship programs can have numerous benefits for both participants and employers. There is evidence that having a career mentor can lead to greater compensation,…
person working on rooftop garden
Project

Governing Sustainable Municipalities

The Governing Sustainable Municipalities project assessed the current state of municipal preparedness in Saskatchewan for economic, social, and environmental sustainability. The project also engaged stakeholders to identify barriers and opportunities for Saskatchewan municipalities to enhance sustainability in their communities.
View more