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$75k to COTR for work-integrated learning
The provincial government is spreading $1.9 million around all of B.C.’s 25 public universities, colleges and institutes to bolster work-integrated learning, it announced this morning (July 23).
College of the Rockies is one of the 25 post-secondary facilities to receive $75,000 to support outreach to more employers, increase awareness of the benefits of work-integrated learning to employers and students, and improve their capacity to place students in meaningful workplace-based learning opportunities.
Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training, made the announcement during a visit to SAP Labs Canada in Vancouver, where 175 co-op students and interns are working.
“Work-integrated learning gives students the opportunities to build the best future for themselves and their families,” said Mark. “These co-op opportunities allow students to apply what they learn in the classroom in the real world. Employers get the chance to identify new talent and benefit from the fresh ideas and energy students bring.”
“Co-op education and integrated learning provide students with the opportunity to develop new skills and valuable work experience that will help them excel in the workplace,” added Bruce Ralston, Minister of Jobs, Trades and Technology. “Co-op education also provides immense benefit to employers, who get assistance meeting their service and production needs from promising new talent.”
Co-op education is the best-known and most-formalized method of work-integrated learning. It combines academic studies with paid work experience in career-related fields. Other forms of work-integrated learning include internships, practicums and applied research projects.
This funding supports a mandate commitment for the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training, as well as the Confidence and Supply Agreement with the B.C. Green Party caucus, to support co-op, apprenticeship and work experience programs for high school and undergraduate students through a four-year investment.
In 2016-17, there were approximately 15,250 student co-op work placements. This represents an increase of almost 40% since 2011-12.
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