2025 ACE-WIL Industry Partner of the Year Award | WIL, Honourable Mention
Award Winners, Industry Partner of the Year |The Association for Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning BC / Yukon is pleased to announce the recipients of the Co-op/WIL Industry Partner of the Year Awards. The WIL award for 2025 recognizes ACE-WIL industry partners that have demonstrated a strong commitment to work integrated learning, through the support and hiring of WIL students and/or have shown a high level of overall support of our association through specific partnerships.
WIL Industry Partner: Milestone Equipment Contracting
Honourable Mention
About Milestone Equipment ContractingMilestone Equipment Contracting has received an Honourable Mention for the 2025 Industry Partner of the Year (WIL) Award in recognition of its long-standing commitment to supporting students in Vancouver Island University’s Heavy Equipment Operator program.
For more than a decade, Milestone has been an active and engaged partner in experiential education, working closely with VIU to help prepare the next generation of skilled operators for careers in the civil construction industry. The Milestone team regularly connects directly with student cohorts, sharing industry insights, participating in panels and guest lectures, and helping students gain a clearer understanding of career pathways in the field.
Milestone also plays a key role in providing structured work experience opportunities, consistently hosting multiple students from each intake. During these placements, students are fully integrated into construction crews, where they gain hands-on experience operating equipment, learning from experienced operators, and developing practical skills in real-world environments.
Students consistently highlight the company’s supportive culture, noting that Milestone fosters a learning environment where mentorship, skill development, and career growth are prioritized. Many students who begin their journey through work placements ultimately transition into long-term careers with the company.
ACE-WIL BC/Yukon is pleased to recognize Milestone Equipment Contracting for its dedication to experiential learning and its meaningful contribution to workforce development in the construction sector.
Quote from Justine Davidson, Director of Corporate Operations
“Working with VIU WIL students has been a very positive and rewarding experience for Milestone. Each year we typically welcome three to five students to complete their work experience with our crews, and the majority of them transition into full-time employees with us. In fact, we currently have eight past students on our team today who have established themselves as key contributing members of Milestone.
Programs like this are incredibly valuable for our industry, and Milestone is proud to support it by providing meaningful work experience, mentorship, and a safe environment where the next generation of workers can develop their skills, build their careers, and support our community.
We’re grateful to be part of this program and truly appreciate being recognized as an Honourable Mention for this award. Thank you!”