Skip to content

Nominate a Student

ACE-WIL Student of the Year Award Nominations

ACE-WIL BC/Yukon is looking to recognize students that participated in work integrated learning and you can help!

The ACE-WIL Student of the Year Awards celebrate excellence across four categories:
across four categories:

  • Co-op Student – University
  • Co-op Student – College/Institute
  • Other Forms of WIL Student – University
  • Other Forms of WIL Student – College/Institute

Each of the four winning students, their institutions, and partner organizations will receive provincial recognition. Each winning student will receive a $500 cash award.

An ACE-WIL BC/Yukon member may nominate one (1) candidate per category (co-op and WIL) with the support of the host organization/employer and approval of the student. All nomination materials become the property of ACE-WIL BC/Yukon to be used in promoting work integrated learning. Each winning student may be required to provide their Social Insurance Number once announced.

Eligibility

  1. Each nomination must focus on one WIL experience in the last calendar year, even if the student participated in more than one. Candidates may not be nominated twice in two consecutive years for a co-operative education experience that spans two calendar years. The experience must meet the CEWIL WIL Definition found here. 

Deadline: 9:00 am PST on Monday, January 25, 2027

Selection Criteria

The ACE-WIL BC/Yukon Student of the Year Awards Committee evaluates candidates on their impact to the three main stakeholders of co-operative education:

  • How did the Co-op/ WIL learning experience(s) impact the student? (30 points)
    • A. Evidence of reflective learning & implementation of that learning through assignments, academic choices, and career choices. 
    • B. Goal setting and achievement; overcoming challenges; evidence of effort to engage in WIL. 
    • C. Took initiative to become involved outside of their regular expectations; may include being invited to represent organization e.g. presentations, public events, or stakeholder consultations.
  • How did the student impact their educational institution? (30 points)
    • A. Acted as ambassador of institution/promoter of WIL. 
    • B. Mentored/helped other WIL students. 
    • C. Recruited/created new WIL opportunities. 
    • D. Enriched learning back on campus (e.g. recruiting guest speakers for campus events or classes, connecting faculty with contacts, and using experience to enrich course discussions/assignments.)
  • How did the student impact their workplace/partner organization during the work term? (20 points)
    • A. Demonstrated above-expected performance or extraordinary achievement through the application of academic knowledge, ideas, and solutions
    • B. Took initiative outside regular expectations
  • How did the student impact the community? (20 points)
    • A. Contributed to community initiatives, outreach activities, or public engagement efforts.
    • B. Created social, environmental, cultural, or economic benefits that extended beyond their immediate workplace.

Nominations Process

Step 1

The nominator, who must be an ACE-WIL member, submits the name and contact information for the nominee and their employer.

Step 2

The student nominee and supervisor, will each receive unique links to complete their portions of the nomination form.

Step 3

Once the student and employer have submitted their form segments, the nomination is combined and sent to ACE-WIL Awards Committee for review.

By filling out the nomination form, we will learn your insights on the following factors:

  • How the Co-op WIL experience impacted the student
    • Did they show evidence of learning through their work
      terms by producing top notch assignments or making decisions based on their experiences (e.g., changing education plans, making new employment leads);
    • Have they shown an ability to articulate the relevance between their Co-op/WIL
      experience, their study, and their career goals;
    • Have they shown an improved ability to navigate job search or other
      aspects of the professional working world;
    • Did they show extraordinary commitment to participating in Co-op/WIL?
  • How the student impacted their educational institution
    • How have they helped promote Co-op/WIL to peers or academic units;
    • Have they helped other students with Co-op/WIL issues like whether to participate or how to succeed;
    • Have they created new Co-op opportunities for themselves or others;
    • Have they used workplace learning or professional connections to enrich learning back on campus? Some examples include: students developing new Co-op/WIL opportunities, being a peer helper, volunteering at mock interview sessions, sharing their Co-op/WIL experience in institutional promotions or events, inviting a member from their partner organization to academic initiatives like a course discussion and connecting faculty researchers with industry researchers.
  • How the student impacted their workplace and community
    • Have they made meaningful contributions to their workplace through innovative ideas, problem-solving, process improvements, or exceptional work;
    • Have they demonstrated initiative, leadership, or a willingness to go above and beyond their assigned responsibilities;
    • Have they positively influenced their colleagues, team, or workplace culture through collaboration, mentorship, or other contributions;
    • Have they applied their knowledge and skills to address challenges or create positive change within their workplace or the broader community;
    • Have their contributions resulted in lasting benefits for their employer, industry, or community? Some examples include: developing new tools or processes, improving organizational efficiency, leading initiatives, mentoring colleagues, contributing to community outreach, supporting sustainability or equity initiatives, or creating resources that continue to benefit the organization beyond their work term.

Nominated students are required to prepare and submit:

  • An essay on the benefits of co-operative education or work integrated learning (1000 word maximum). The essay should be contextualized in the student’s experience and could include topics like:
    • Reasons why you participated in Co-op/WIL and why you are happy you did;
    • How Co-op/WIL has enhanced your personal, academic, and career development.

The Awards Committee is also interested in the partner organization/employer perspective; how did the student impact their workplace/partner organization – did they achieve something extraordinary; were they chosen or invited to represent the organization on research or other public domains, did they show evidence of bringing the best of themselves and their academic programs?

Through this form, we are looking for the following factors:

  • The student’s duties/responsibilities last year;
  • The student’s impact to the organization – did they bring ideas from their academics?
  • Outstanding work achievements (e.g., cost savings, process/quality improvements, design/development innovations, improved customer service, significant research or other initiatives etc.); and
  • Extra duties or opportunities that were assigned because the student performed above expectations

To nominate an ACE-WIL Member, you must be logged in to access the forms.

You must log in to access this content.