Module 8: Sustaining WIL Programs
Module 8
3. Bringing It All Together: Developing Your WIL Strategy
Photo: Uyen Huynh, courtesy of the Tourism Practicum program at CAPU
Throughout this course, you have explored the foundations of work-integrated learning (WIL), legal responsibilities, inclusive recruitment, supervision strategies, and student engagement best practices. This section supports you in bringing these elements together to outline a WIL strategy that aligns with your organization’s context and goals.
A strong WIL strategy extends beyond posting positions. It reflects intentional planning, structured learning, and long-term organizational priorities such as inclusion, workforce development, innovation, and community engagement.
1. Define Your Goals and Outcomes
Begin by clarifying why your organization participates in WIL. Goals might include building future talent pipelines, fostering innovation, strengthening institutional partnerships, or increasing workforce diversity.
The Work-Integrated Learning Criteria Planning Sheet can help you reflect on goals, readiness, and capacity.
2. Map the Full Student Journey
An effective strategy considers every phase of the student experience from role design and recruitment to onboarding, supervision, feedback, and reflection.
Resources such as the HEQCO Practical Guide for Work-Integrated Learning and the P.E.A.R. model (Pedagogy, Experience, Assessment, Reflection) provide frameworks for delivering high-quality, learning-focused WIL experiences.
3. Gather Feedback and Improve Over Time
Your WIL strategy should evolve based on experience and feedback. After each placement, seek input from students and supervisors to refine roles, improve supervision, and enhance accessibility.
Tools such as informal surveys or structured interviews—including adaptations of the Employee Retention Survey Sample—can support continuous improvement.