Benefiting from more on-the-job experience

The Work-integrated Learning Industry Voucher pilot program is a new initiative that provides paid work placement for hundreds of students in their field of study, ensuring they get meaningful, hands-on experience from industry experts and launch successful careers after graduation.

Partner industry associations work with post-secondary institutions and employers to match students with new work-integrated learning opportunities. The program provides funding to help employers in Alberta’s key priority sectors access emerging local talent, while also helping them to grow, innovate and respond to their business needs.

During this pilot, paid work-integrated learning experiences will be provided to about 650 students over the next 3 years. Students are matched as placements become available.

This initiative is a key part of the Alberta 2030: Building Skills for Jobs strategy.

Next steps

  • Interested employers and students can reach out to participating industry associations until 2023.
  • If successful, this pilot will serve as a model to expand the program to other industries and careers in the future.

Key goals

  • Grade 1
    Empowering students

    Providing students with more opportunities to learn hands-on from experts in their field and gain valuable work experience helps them launch their careers when they graduate.

    Students who wish to access these opportunities should contact their post-secondary institutions, or one of the three industry partners.

  • Grade 2
    Supporting job creators

    Matched employer grant funding of up to $5,000 helps businesses hire and mentor local emerging talent.

    By aligning work placements with key partner industries, this initiative supports Alberta's economic recovery, stimulates job creation, and provides employers more opportunities to grow and develop talent.

  • Grade 3
    Strengthening collaboration

    This initiative connects education to jobs and builds collaboration between industry and educators to ensure programs are responsive to the needs of both students and employers.

    These work placements not only empower students to learn directly from mentors, but also help industry and employers achieve their innovation potential, respond to current business challenges, and grow their competitive advantage.

Key partner industries

Alberta has partnered with 3 key industry associations from Alberta’s priority sectors:

  • Technology Alberta
  • Alberta Construction Association
  • BioAlberta

These partner industry associations are working with post-secondary institutions and employers to match students with new work-integrated learning opportunities.

Employers and students interested in participating in the program are encouraged to reach out to one of the three industry association partners.

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