Positioning work-integrated learning (WIL) within ...

Informing the Future of Higher Education

What about WIL?Positioning work-integrated learning (WIL) within enrolment strategies

Jackie Pichette & Danielle Lenarcic Biss

Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario

November 28, 2017

SEMM Forum 2017 • Radisson Admiral Hotel • Toronto, ON

Who’s in the room?

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Agenda

• About HEQCO

• Work-integrated learning (WIL)

• Why does WIL matter?

• Barriers and strategies

• Positioning WIL

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www.heqco.ca

HEQCO: Informing the future of higher ed

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• HEQCO is an agency of the Government of Ontario that brings evidence-based research to the continued improvement of the postsecondary education system.

Work-integrated learning (WIL)

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Sattler, P. (2011). Work-Integrated Learning in Ontario’s Postsecondary Sector.

Structured Work Experience

Field Experience

Mandatory Professional

PracticeCo-op Internship

Structured Work ExperienceSystematic Training

Apprenticeships

Structured Work ExperienceInstitutional Partnerships

Applied Research Projects

Service-learning

Students’ postsecondary choices

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Abacus Data. (2016). Work integrated learning and post-secondary education: What students think.

N = 1,000 current PSE students & recent graduates

Students see the value in WIL

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of current students and recent grads support more

WIL in their programs

of students think that those whograduate with degrees that offer WIL have an advantage when it

comes to finding a job



Students want WIL in their programs

Imagine that you were offered the choice between two post-secondary programs at the same school, at the same cost, and would allow you to complete the program in the same amount of time. One offered you a WIL experience and the other one did not. Which would you choose?

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13%

87%

The program without WILopportunities

The program with WILopportunities


WIL relates to student satisfaction

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97%of recent grads with

a lot of WIL experience were

satisfied with their postsecondary

experience

of recent grads with

no WIL experience

75%vs.



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The skills employers want

The skills employers want

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Aon Hewitt. (2016). Developing Canada’s future workforce: A survey of large private-sector employers.

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Students say WIL gives them those skills


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HEQCO. (2016). A practical guide for workintegrated learning.

Students Employers

Institutions Worksite

Networking

Access to high-quality students for temporary

employment

Coaching+ leadership development

Positive reputation

Barriers to WIL

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Barriers to WIL

16Informing the Future of Higher Education

Time commitment

Preparedness for WIL

Awareness + perceptions

of WIL

Relationships with

employers

Availabilityof WIL

opportunities

Administrative resources

RelocationFinancial

challenges

Delayed graduation

Equity and access

challenges

International students

Students with disabilities

Barriers to WIL


Time commitment

Preparedness for WIL


of WIL

Relationships with

employers

Availabilityof WIL

opportunities

Administrative resources

RelocationFinancial

challenges

Delayed graduation

Equity and access

challenges

International students

Students with disabilities

Barriers & Strategies



of WIL

Relationships with

employers

Availabilityof WIL

opportunities

Delayed graduation

Do you know which programs at your institution have a WIL component?

Is that information currently communicated as

part of your recruitment strategy?

Are faculty, staff, current students, and alumni aware of WIL opportunities at your

institution?

What strategies might your institution

undertake to ensure these groups are better

informed?

Does your institution or program have ongoing

partnerships with industry?

Do you share that information with

prospective students?

Is this a valid concern at your

institution?

Strategies for positioning WILWhat is your understanding of

current communications strategies regarding WIL at your

institution?

Taking into account what we’ve discussed so far, what steps can

institutions take to improve communications around WIL?

Please share one insight or practice that could help others in

the room position WIL within their communications

strategies.

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Strategies for positioning WIL• Advertising & recruitment

– Digital/social media

– WIL showcase events

– Student/alumni profiles & testimonials

• Clear, consistent messaging– Partnerships with employers

– Time commitment

– Available opportunities

• Faculty champions & support

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Questions?

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Thank you!

Jackie Pichette

[email protected]

Danielle Lenarcic Biss

[email protected]

SEMM Forum 2017 • Radisson Admiral Hotel • Toronto, ON

Positioning work-integrated learning (WIL) within ...

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