Georgian earns Work-Integrated Learning funding to enhance skill development in community partnerships
July 12, 2023
Georgian is offering a new bursary for students pursuing unpaid work-integrated learning experiences as part of Georgian’s focus to build unrivaled student experiences. Students struggling with the dilemma of getting work experience amid financial barriers will have the opportunity to apply for a new bursary that will cover traditionally unpaid WIL experiences.
Over $500,000 from the Government of Canada’s Innovative Work-Integrated Learning program and Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL) Canada’s Innovation Hub (iHUB) will support the More @ Georgian initiative. The funding will cover traditionally unpaid work-integrated learning (WIL) experiences or financial expenses associated with field placements, community service learning, applied research, entrepreneurial work-integrated learning and social innovation.
This Georgian initiative complements a total of six new innovative projects from CEWIL Canada over the last year to increase access to valuable work experience totalling over $1.3 million.
These kinds of financial supports for Georgian students in unpaid work-integrated learning experiences is one way to alleviate barriers and increase access. This innovative approach helps to provide an unrivaled student experience as they grow in their career readiness and program completion.
John Daggett, Manager of Co-op, Career and Experiential Learning at Georgian College.
Students will apply for funding, available on a first-come, first-served basis through Georgian’s Co-op, Career and Experiential Education department.
Bursary Applications will prioritize Indigenous students; racialized Canadians; persons living with a disability; female-identifying or non-binary persons studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics; newcomers to Canada; official language minorities; two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (2SLGBTQ+) students; students living in remote or rural locations; students with low socio-economic status; mature students; and students from refugee pathways.
Eligibility for the bursary will consider students that have been approved by their faculty, program coordinator, or work-integrated learning practitioner and a community/employer partner with the following criteria: registered students who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or persons to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act; and, are legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with the relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations.
“CEWIL Canada is pleased to support innovative WIL experiences for students at Georgian College where students have been able to receive financial support and recognition for their WIL experience,” says Charlene Marion, Director WIL at CEWIL Canada. “Funds such as these aim to eliminate barriers to WIL and increase access for all postsecondary students.”
Financial support will range from $240 to $1,890 based on the student’s experience, recommendations from faculty or WIL practitioners, and verification of community partnerships. Students in summer and fall 2023 semesters can apply for the bursary.
To learn more about this initiative, contact Sean.Elliott@GeorgianCollege.ca in the Career and Co-op Centre at Georgian College.