Work Integrated Learning
Fuel your business growth or launch your career by participating in Work Integrated Learning programs.
Bridging Education and Industry in Southeast Alberta
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) programs are catalysts for growth, igniting success for students and businesses alike. The Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce is proud to partner with our local school divisions and post-secondary schools to help businesses connect with students who are available for co-op work terms, work experience, apprenticeships, practicums, project work, and more.
What is Work Integrated Learning?
WIL programs blend academic studies with practical work experience. They offer students hands-on opportunities to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings, while businesses gain fresh perspectives and potential future employees.
Benefits for Businesses
Energize Your Workforce
By participating in WIL programs, you’re not just filling a position—you’re fuelling innovation. Students bring new ideas and skills that can propel your business forward.
Cultivate Future Talent
WIL offers a unique opportunity to assess potential hires in action. It’s like a extended interview, helping you identify top talent that aligns with your company culture.
Community Impact
Your involvement helps strengthen the local economy by retaining skilled professionals in Southeast Alberta. It’s an investment in our shared future.
Benefits for Students
Launch Your Career
Gain invaluable industry experience that will set you apart in the job market. WIL programs are your launchpad to a successful career.
Apply Your Knowledge
Bridge the gap between theory and practice. See how your studies translate to real-world scenarios and develop critical problem-solving skills.
Build Your Network
Forge connections with industry professionals that can open doors to future opportunities. It’s networking with purpose.
How to Get A Placement
Local Students - Public School Divisions
Our local school divisions offer a variety of programs to help students explore career options, gain valuable skills, and launch successful careers. From early college credit opportunities to hands-on work experience and apprenticeship programs, they're committed to equipping our young people with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in the local job market. By connecting students with local employers who serve as mentors, we foster a strong pool of talent for businesses in southeastern Alberta.
For employers looking to get connected to School District 76 please email: launch@sd76.ab.ca or learn more about the student career pathways here.
You can find out more about Prairie Rose School District here: https://www.myprps.com/student-registration-guide
Local Students - Medicine Hat College
Various Medicine Hat College departments have placements and projects throughout the year. This ranges from the departments of Business to Technology studies to Art and Design.
Opportunities range from short term practicums to summer-long paid internship placements. The majority of placements occur near the end of each winter semester (April) and on into the summer.
Employment Connectors
The Chamber is pleased to have a program, Powered by Magnet, where job seekers and businesses can access a free-to-use digital platform that uses intelligent matching technology to connect employers with talent and make recruitment efforts easy and efficient. Using the Outcome Campus Connect functionality, one click sends your posting to 85+ post-secondary institutions across Canada. Employers can also opt to send postings to specific schools. Sign up here.
Local businesses can also tap into CAREERS: The Next Generation (CNG), a non-profit organization that connects high school students and youth under the age of 21 with employers in Alberta for paid internships and career exploration in high-demand fields. It bridges the gap between education and employment by helping students gain work experience, develop skills, and make informed choices about their futures in areas like the skilled trades, agriculture, health, technology, and more. www.careersnextgen.ca
Get Started: Employers
While WIL worksite responsibilities may change according to program, in general, the responsibilities of a WIL business partner are as follows:
- Complete and sign any Partner Agreements and ensure it is and returned to the partner organization prior to any student participating in the WIL experience.
- Provide the WIL opportunity for the agreed-upon period to meet the needs of the WIL experience.
- Inform the academic institution of any accident, incident or unusual occurrence related to the student and the WIL experience or at the WIL site.
- Report student Workers' Compensation Board incidents/injuries according to the information as provided by the academic institution.
- Review the WIL Partner Checklist and follow up with any questions with the program contact prior to the WIL experience.
- Provide a reasonable orientation to the workplace and objectives of the same appropriate to the nature and type of WIL experience.
- Have reasonable rules regarding health and safety in place and explain those policies to the student during orientation.
- If requested and discussed as part of the arrangement with the college, provide evaluation and feedback on the student's performance and discuss it with the student.
- Make the experience meaningful by providing learning opportunities so students can gain the most from the WIL experience.
If you are a business and you would like to post a placement, please submit your job opportunity here by creating an account and submitting your job posting. You may also post a position to the Medicine Hat College Job Board here.
Get Started: Students
Local businesses are looking for local talent.
- Search our job board to find relevant opportunities.
- Seach the Medicine Hat College Job board.
- Take stock of your skills and experience
- Create a resume and cover letter.
- Create your free profile on our employment connector to highlight your skills, experience, and relevant certifications.
- Once your account is active, you'll receive updates and information to help you make the best decisions for your career, including:
- New training programs for in-demand jobs.
- Research on the future of Canada's industries and job market.
- Information on wage subsidies and funding that can support your career.
- Updates on government policy and support programs for workers in transition.
- Insight into expected earnings based on level of education, job location, field of study, and skills.
- When employers post jobs that match your skills, you'll be alerted and invited to apply.
- In addition to opportunities from employers, you can also receive invitations to apply for jobs posted by 20,000+ other employers on the portal.
- Diversity Self-IDÂ offers job seekers the option to securely identify as a member of an employment equity group. Your declaration is kept confidential, but allows you to receive job invites from employers looking to diversify their workforce.
Take the Next Step
Fuel your business growth or launch your career with Work Integrated Learning. Contact the Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce today to learn more about how you can get involved, or fill out the form linked below.