WIL Categories

Definition: Learning enterprises combine real clients with simulated workplace environments that are created on an Algonquin campus or learning environment.

Remuneration: No

Evaluation Responsibility: College faculty

AC Employee Role: College employees supervise students and assist with problem-solving and monitoring.

Commitment: Varies

Necessary for Program Completion?: If mandatory, yes; if optional, no

MTCU Instructional Setting: Laboratories/workshops/fieldwork

Definition: Scheduled or volunteer experiential learning opportunities intended to enhance students’ work and personal development by bringing them together with community partners to address local public social issues and community needs.

Remuneration: No

Evaluation Responsibility: College faculty, workplace supervisors or a combination

AC Employee Role: College employees provide support by validating opportunities, assisting with problem solving and monitoring student progress.

Commitment: Provincial Average: 180 Hours*

Necessary for Program Completion?: If mandatory, yes; if optional, no

MTCU Instructional Setting: Varies

* Sattler, P., and Peters, J. (2013). Work-Integrated Learning in Ontario’s Postsecondary Sector: The Experience of Ontario Graduates. Toronto: Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario.

Definition: Scheduled or unscheduled hours of activities that may or may not take place within a workplace but allow students to work with employers in order to provide hands-on work experience.

Remuneration: No

Evaluation Responsibility: College faculty, workplace supervisors or a combination

AC Employee Role: College employees validate opportunities, facilitate relationships, and support students and employers throughout the project.

Commitment: Provincial Average: 162 Hours

Necessary for Program Completion?: If mandatory, yes; if optional, no

MTCU Instructional Setting: Laboratories/workshops/fieldwork

* Sattler, P., and Peters, J. (2013). Work-Integrated Learning in Ontario’s Postsecondary Sector: The Experience of Ontario Graduates. Toronto: Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario.

Scheduled or unscheduled opportunities intended to enhance students’ work and life skills by bringing them together with faculty, staff and community partners to tackle real world challenges.

Remuneration: No

Evaluation Responsibility: College faculty/ applied research reps, workplace supervisors or a combination

AC Employee Role: Students are continually supervised directly by college employees or individuals working on behalf of the college.

Commitment: Minimum time commitment is predetermined by regulating body

Necessary for Program Completion?: Usually Course-based, *Provincial Average 162 Hour

MTCU Instructional Setting: Laboratories/workshops/fieldwork

* Sattler, P., and Peters, J. (2013). Work-Integrated Learning in Ontario’s Postsecondary Sector: The Experience of Ontario Graduates. Toronto: Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario.

Scheduled hours of activities intended to give students hands-on experience in a hospital or health care setting.

Remuneration: No

Evaluation Responsibility:College faculty, workplace supervisors or a combination

AC Employee Role: Students are continually supervised directly by college employees or individuals working on behalf of the college.

Commitment: Minimum time commitment is predetermined by regulating body

Necessary for Program Completion?: Yes 

MTCU Instructional Setting: Clinical

Scheduled hours of activities that take place at a workplace and are intended to give student hands on experience. Students are monitored by a workplace supervisor.

Remuneration: No

Evaluation Responsibility: College faculty, workplace supervisors or a combination

AC Employee Role: College employees provide support by validating opportunities, assisting with problem solving and monitoring student progress

Commitment: Provincial Average of 250 hours*

Necessary for Program Completion?: If mandatory, yes; if optional, no

MTCU Instructional Setting: Field placement/work placement

* Sattler, P., and Peters, J. (2013). Work-Integrated Learning in Ontario’s Postsecondary Sector: The Experience of Ontario Graduates. Toronto: Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario.

A Cooperative Education program formally integrates a student’s academic studies with scheduled hours of work experience. Usually the student alternates classroom learning with periods of experience in career-related fields.

Remuneration: Yes

Evaluation Responsibility: Employers and faculty

AC Employee Role: Co-op office validates and approves opportunities and monitors student progress

Commitment: Co-op terms are normally a full-time commitment lasting at least four months.

Necessary for Program Completion?: If mandatory yes, if optional, no

MTCU Instructional Setting: Co-operative education work placement