Unlocking the Potential of Ontario’s WIL Data Landscape

Author: Sophie Lanthier Work-integrated learning (WIL) and other forms of experiential learning (EL) offer several well-documented benefits for students, postsecondary institutions (PSIs) and employers. Students who learn in a workplace environment can apply classroom learning and develop employability skills. When WIL programs are aligned with industry needs, they address skills shortages and support postsecondary students’ […]

Examining the Role of Sociodemographic Characteristics in Postsecondary Non-completion and Labour Market Outcomes

Examining the Role of Sociodemographic Characteristics in Postsecondary Non-completion and Labour Market Outcomes was written by Ken Chatoor and Ryan Tishcoff, Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario. Students who face barriers accessing postsecondary education also see lower completion rates and worse employment outcomes after graduation. The strength of Ontario’s postsecondary education (PSE) system is linked […]

Linking Postsecondary Non-completion Rates and Labour Market Outcomes

Linking Postsecondary Non-completion Rates and Labour Market Outcomes was written by Julia Colyar, Ken Chatoor and Janice Deakin. Nearly one-quarter of Ontario students who enrolled in postsecondary education did not finish with a credential after eight years Ontario postsecondary education (PSE) boasts high access and participation rates, but this access is not synonymous with student […]

Inclusion in Work-integrated Learning: Lessons from Administrators, Employers and Students

Inclusion in Work-integrated Learning: Lessons from Administrators, Employers and Students was written by Ken Chatoor & Amy Kaufman, Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario. Study reveals the importance of inclusivity to work-integrated learning experiences and where improvements can be made Work-integrated learning (WIL) provides many benefits for postsecondary education (PSE) students including improved labour market […]

Working (and Learning) Online: Improving Remote Work-integrated Learning Experiences for Students and Employers

Working (and Learning) Online: Improving Remote Work-integrated Learning Experiences for Students and Employers was written by Ken Chatoor, Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario. Participating remotely in work-integrated learning offers flexibility, but professional development challenges need to be addressed. Work-integrated learning (WIL) blends formal education with practical learning in a relevant workplace setting. There are […]

Teaching Transferable Skills for Labour Market Success: Introducing HEQCO’s Skills Consortium

Having identified essential transferable skills (and how to measure them) in previous work, HEQCO sought to investigate the most effective ways of teaching them. To do so, we partnered with eight PSE institutions to form a Skills Consortium, designed to evaluate programs and interventions related to the acquisition, development and articulation of transferable skills — […]

Exploring Postsecondary Credentials and Labour Market Alignment in Ontario

Exploring Postsecondary Credentials and Labour Market Alignment in Ontario was written by Julia Colyar, Sarah Brumwell and Janice Deakin, Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario. Exploring Postsecondary Credentials and Labour Market Alignment in Ontario Ontario’s current credentials are meeting the needs of the labour market As the province’s postsecondary credential offerings are expanded, a new […]

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Jackie Pichette, Dua Abdelqader and Mona Eghanian — Unlike cars, microcredentials won’t drive themselves

Microcredentials are a form of focused learning with the potential to respond to both the modern hiring needs of employers and the training needs of adults looking to advance or pivot in the labour market. At HEQCO, we define them as being tied to short learning opportunities that are focused on a discrete set of […]

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Natalie Pilla: How Increased Access to WIL Can Support Ontario’s Post-pandemic Recovery

Work-integrated learning (WIL) — including co-ops, internships and practicums — is widespread in Canada; nearly half of postsecondary students complete WIL as part of their studies. Participation in WIL is associated with higher employment earnings and a higher likelihood of finding full-time work after graduation. Unfortunately, 35% of Canadian postsecondary students have missed out on […]