Investment to support initiatives that provide on-the-job learning opportunities to Canadian students
September 29, 2022 - Toronto, Ontario
Canadian workers are among the most educated in the world; however, employers look for post-secondary graduates who have work-ready skills and are able to transition into the Canadian labour market immediately. Work-integrated learning (WIL) programs help bridge the gap between post-secondary students and employers by enabling crucial skills development and facilitating entry into the labour market.
The Government of Canada continues to look for more opportunities to jump-start Canada's labour market and support innovation and growth. That is why the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, today announced renewed funding for the Business + Higher Education Roundtable (BHER) program.
The $17.1 million investment over the next 3 years will enable the creation and scaling of over 22,300 WIL opportunities for students across Canada. BHER will leverage its renewed program funding and existing partnerships in focus areas aimed at under-represented groups, giving them the resources and tools needed to obtain crucial work-ready skills. BHER will also focus on developing partnerships to support skills and talent development needed for a transition to a net-zero economy.
The WIL programs provided through BHER will build on existing skills with on-the-job placements. These placements help students get a sense of workplace culture, experience the true industry environment, enhance their soft skills and technical skills, and build professional networks.
As part of the renewed mandate, BHER will continue to develop innovative tools and resources that will be added to its free-to-use WIL Hub to help employers explore, invest in and create quality work-integrated learning opportunities.
