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Work Integrated Learning

Fuel your business growth or launch your career by participating in our Work Integrated Learning programs.

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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 our post-secondary schools and local school divisions to help businesses connect with students who are available for co-op work terms, work experience, apprenticeships, practicums, project work, and more.

Employment Connector

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

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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 this program please email launch@sd76.ab.ca.

Learn more about the student career pathways here.

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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.

A more comprehensive list can be accessed here.

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Employment Connector

Powered by Magnet, 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.

Get Started: Employers

While WIL worksite responsibilities may change according to program, in general, the responsibilities of a WIL business partner are as follows:

  1. Complete and sign the Medicine Hat College WIL Partner Agreement and ensure it is and returned to the college prior to any student participating in the WIL experience.
  2. Provide the WIL opportunity for the agreed-upon period to meet the needs of the WIL experience.
  3. Inform the college of any accident, incident or unusual occurrence related to the student and the WIL experience or at the WIL site.
  4. Report student Workers' Compensation Board incidents/injuries according to the information as provided by the college.
  5. Review the WIL Partner Checklist and follow up with any questions with the program contact prior to the WIL experience.
  6. Provide a reasonable orientation to the workplace and objectives of the same appropriate to the nature and type of WIL experience.
  7. Have reasonable rules regarding health and safety in place and explain those policies to the student during orientation.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.

  1. Search our job board to find relevant opportunities.
  2. Seach the Medicine Hat College Job board.
  3. Take stock of your skills and experience
  4. Create a resume and cover letter.
  5. Create your free profile on our employment connector to highlight your skills, experience, and relevant certifications.
  6. 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.
  7. When employers post jobs that match your skills, you'll be alerted and invited to apply.
  8. In addition to opportunities from employers, you can also receive invitations to apply for jobs posted by 20,000+ other employers on the portal.
  9. Diversity Self-ID 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.

Work Integrated Learning Form