May 24–27, 2026 | Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, BC
The ACE-WIL & CACEE 2026 Joint Conference brings together professionals, educators, employers, and community partners who are shaping the future of Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) and Career Development across Canada.
This conference is designed for those who lead, deliver, and support experiential learning, career readiness, and recruitment initiatives — including:
- Career Educators & Advisors – supporting student skill development, career planning, employer relations, and transition to work.
- Faculty & Instructors – integrating experiential learning, reflection, and assessment into curriculum.
- Employer & Industry Partners – building meaningful student skill development and work experiences, recruitment pathways, and partnerships.
- Community Organizations & Nonprofits – engaging in WIL and community-based experiential learning opportunities.
- Researchers, Students & Emerging Professionals – interested in innovative approaches to career development, early talent recruitment and WIL design.
- Post-Secondary Leaders & Policymakers – advancing institutional strategies and policies that strengthen WIL and campus career ecosystems.
Whether you are a leader, strategist, practitioner, or instructor, this event provides a collaborative space to exchange ideas, share evidence-based practices, and imagine new ways to prepare learners for the evolving world of work.
Draft Schedule
Afternoon & Evening
Delegate Arrival – Conference Check-In & Registration Desk Opens at 11:00 am
Discover Kamloops & Region Social Activities
- Pre-Conference Workshops 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Welcome Reception – 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
- Dine Around Kamloops (Optional): 6:30 – 9:00 pm
Conference Learning Program Runs from 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Conference Check-In & Registration Desk Opens at 7:30 am
Meals & Refreshments: Breakfast, Lunch, and Presidential Dinner, Networking & Wellness Breaks
Opening Ceremony + Keynote Presentation
- ACE-Wil BC AGM
Concurrent Sessions & Workshops
Networking & Social Activities
Evening
Presidential Dinner and Awards Ceremony Gala – 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
- Entertainment, Dance Floor, & Networking
Conference Learning Program Runs from 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Conference Check-In & Registration Desk Opens at 8:00 am
- Meals & Refreshments: Breakfast, Lunch, Networking & Wellness Breaks
Concurrent Sessions & Workshops
CACEE AGM
Networking & Social Activities
- Conference Closing & Plenary Session
Evening
Optional Social Activities & Informal Meet-Ups
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- A light breakfast and lunch will be served for Board & Council Meeting Attendees
ACE-WIL Board Meeting
CACEE Board Meeting
BC WIL Council Meeting
- Community of Practice Meetings
Conference Theme
Reimagining the Future of Work-Integrated Learning and Careers
This theme highlights how disruption—whether technological, societal, or economic—can drive innovation in WIL, campus recruitment, and career development. We invite forward-thinking proposals that explore how experiential learning, employers, and career services can evolve, adapt, and thrive in times of change.
Conference Sub-Themes
Conference programming will align with one or more of the following sub-themes, each reflecting the overarching theme Reimagining the Future of Work-Integrated Learning and Careers. These sub-themes are designed to guide proposal development and support a diverse program that highlights innovative research, practical tools, and evidence-based approaches across post-secondary, employer, and community contexts. Presenters are encouraged to share insights, models, and collaborations that inspire new ways of thinking about the future of WIL and career development.
Explore innovative strategies, tools, and programming that prepare students for a rapidly changing world of work. This theme invites proposals showcasing career education practices and service models, competency frameworks, and skills development initiatives such as case competitions, hackathons, and digital badging. It also welcomes approaches to onboarding, employee engagement, simulations, and micro credentials that foster career readiness and lifelong learning.
Strong partnerships between employers, educators, and communities are essential to advancing meaningful WIL and career opportunities for post-secondary talent. This theme focuses on employer branding and campus recruitment strategy, collaboration between industry and the post-secondary sector, shared value creation, and employer engagement that enhances learning, meeting industry talent needs, and empowering student success.
WIL is evolving beyond traditional placements. This theme encourages exploration of new and emerging forms of WIL — including virtual, project-based, entrepreneurial, community-based, and research-integrated experiences. Proposals may also highlight how student voices of experience, co-design, and co-creation are shaping the future of experiential learning.
This theme focuses on creating inclusive, accessible, and equitable environments for learning, career development, and work. Proposals are encouraged that highlight programming, evidence-based practice, research, case studies that centre reconciliation, well-being, representation, or belonging within WIL, campus recruitment, and career development contexts.
Examine applications of pedagogy and learning theory to inform, transform, and strengthen outcomes in WIL, career education, and early talent programming. Topics may include instructional design, reflective practice, design thinking, data and assessment, leadership and rotational programs, faculty training, and e-learning or professional development initiatives for students, staff, and leaders across our field.