How work-integrated learning could boost Canada’s economy

Universities Canada’s recommendation for Budget 2025

As Canada’s economy faces slow growth, a solution may lie in our university classrooms. Work-integrated learning (WIL), such as apprenticeships, co-ops and internships, bridges the gap between theory and practice while training students to be job ready upon graduation. However, more investments are needed to support and expand opportunities for both students and employers.

What’s the issue?

Canada’s economy is growing too slowly and our productivity is lagging behind. While there’s no quick fix, there are many things we can do to start picking up our pace to stay competitive. Ensuring students are job ready is a great way to kick-start our economy. Well-trained workers work more productively, cost less to train and make higher earnings, which means they’re likely to spend more, produce more and contribute more to public services through taxes.

Work-integrated learning provides hands-on education in a workplace or practice setting. It’s a great way for students to gain practical experience in their fields, but employers need to be on-board too. Small- or medium-sized businesses may especially find the administrative hoops and expenses too challenging to navigate. We need to incentivize employers to give more students practical experience so we can grow the number and types of opportunities available. 

Why is it important?

Practical learning is tried and true. Work-integrated learning allows students to apply theory learned in the classroom to real job settings. Work-integrated learning opportunities are proven to be beneficial to students who participate, with a report by CEWIL Canada finding 91% of students find jobs related to their studies after participating in a WIL program, compared to 71% of students who don’t. 

The same report cited 93% of students who participated in a WIL program report finding employment in general after graduating.

It’s not just students who benefit from WIL, employers do too. While providing students with valuable experience in the field, they get the insights and knowledge of those learning from cutting-edge experts in the topics like artificial intelligence, which is an asset for businesses looking to integrate new technologies and practices into their workforce.

Investments in WIL can also expand the types of placements and sectors where students can gain experience, allowing more students with varied skillsets and interests to participate. Supporting small- and medium-sized businesses through the administrative and financial obstacles that come with providing WIL would give students more options while local businesses benefit from their knowledge and fresh perspectives.

Our recommendations

We need investments in work-integrated learning to help more students bridge the gap between theory and practice and prepare them to be successful, productive and job ready. We recommend Budget 2025 invest in the Student Work Placement Program, especially in AI-related opportunities, to the benefit of both students and businesses.

What is the pre-budget submission?

Every year, as the Government of Canada looks to set its budget, Universities Canada provides information on the biggest issues facing universities and solutions to help universities and Canadians thrive. Read more of our recommendations to government in our pre-budget submission.