The Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training has announced the first round of successful applicants for the $9,000,000 in one time funding that was announced in September of 2019. Six of the successful projects were on behalf of ACCE-WIL. Here is a brief summary of those projects.
Project: Inventory and Analysis of Work-Integrated Learning Technology
Lead Applicant: Simon Fraser University/ ACCE-WIL- on behalf of post-secondary sector
Summary: This project will conduct inventory and cost analysis of current and emerging technology platforms for co-op and work-integrated learning. Technologies that could fall within the scope of this project include Orbis, Simplicity, Salesforce, VMock, Interview Stream, Campus Connect, and others. The project will also explore partnering with BCNET for sector-wide technologies. The project will benefit co-op and work-integrated learning practitioners across PSE system.
Project: Toolkit for Hiring Students from International Pathways
Lead Applicant: Simon Fraser University/ ACCE-WIL – on behalf of post-secondary sector
Summary: This project aims to develop an online toolkit to assist employers and organizations in hiring students from international pathways. The toolkit will include resources on best practices, the value that diversity brings to workplaces, onboarding/hiring resources, and resources to aid international students to adapt to Canadian workplace norms.
Project: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Resource Hub
Lead Applicant: Simon Fraser Simon Fraser University/ ACCE-WIL- on behalf of post-secondary sector
Summary: The goal of this project is to create a province-wide resource hub that will share existing and create new materials, tools, curriculum and research for institutions and employers to work with under-represented student groups (i.e. Indigenous students, new immigrants, low income students, students with disabilities).
Project: Co-op practitioner curriculum, community of practice, and audit of programs
Lead applicant: Simon Fraser University/ ACCE-WIL- on behalf of post-secondary sector
Summary: This project will develop curriculum for co-op practitioners which will cover a wide range of topics, facilitate online community of practice sessions for co-op practitioners to share best practices, and conduct needs assessment of current work-integrated learning programs across the B.C. post-secondary system. The curriculum will also include topics that are particularly important to smaller institutions.
Project: Regional Forums and Outreach to Students/ Employers
Lead applicant: Simon Fraser University/ ACCE-WIL- on behalf of post-secondary sector
Summary: This project will look to organize regional and sectoral forums in the Lower Mainland, North, and Interior to share best practices with students, employers, and the federal government. It will also work with employer organizations and student societies to raise awareness on benefits of co-op and work-integrated learning.
Project: Indigenous Co-op Resource Hub
Lead Applicant: University of Victoria/ACCE-WIL – on behalf of post-secondary sector
Summary: This project will establish a central resource hub that would support all 25 public post-secondary institutions in increasing the participation of Indigenous students in co-op and work-integrated learning programs. The resource hub will include training modules for co-op practitioners, resources for student engagement, and supports for employers.