Hands-On Learning
Partner with KPU students for solutions that are connected to hands‑on learning projects.
Work-Integrated Learning
Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) is a purposeful, planned and assessed work-based experience that comes in many forms, including practicum courses, co-ops, service learning, and more. At KPU, students have the opportunity to integrate learning with its application in employment and/or community settings.
For employers, hiring students can bring new ideas that companies need. These experiences may lead to the hiring of future employees. For students, WIL experiences are an opportunity to practice what you have learned in class and apply it in workplace and/or community settings. These hands-on experiences can facilitate networking as you introduce yourself to prospective future employers and/or community leaders.
Ways that partners can engage with students
KPU has 50+ faculty who routinely engage with external relationships to tie hands-on learning to students' courses. Unpaid Work-Integrated learning has seen more than 5500+ student experiences this past year. Also, 15+ programs offer Co-op and these are paid positions.
Co-op - Paid options for students WIL - Unpaid options for students
Examples of Course-based unpaid Work-Integrated Learning:
- Resolve a marketing issue for a firm
- Take part in a community art project
- Participate in crop production
- Prepare garments for a fashion show
- Perform high school outreach on a public health topic
- Code an interactive dashboard for a client
Need Help Thinking of a Project Idea?*
NGO and Nonprofit Studies students can work with community businesses to organize debates
Randomize
*These are examples of real projects at KPU, but mixed up! Sometimes it creates some unexpected combinations…
Work-Integrated Learning at KPU
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ENTA 2343 - 2D Animation Project: Production Finals Faculty and industry mentors guide and Give feedback to each student based on their selected area of specialization. Details
FMRK 2215: Fashion Events and Promotions Diploma in Fashion Marketing Experiential / Service Learning Through exploratory retail work experience, in FMRK 1151, students will identify various target markets, retail formats, and fashion categories; In FMRK 2215, students will learn to organize and manage a fashion marketing event including: event project management, research and design of on-site coordination, logistics, budgeting, promotion, fundraising, and evaluating the event's success; In FMRK 2240, students will conduct a 40-hour work placement in an apparel marketing organization. Details
MUSI 3602: Applied Desktop Recording Minor in Music Experiential / Service Learning There are a number of experiential, applied courses, some of which include the following opportunities: presenting an online portfolio of work; exploring aspects of musical interaction, improvisation, and ensemble leadership; creating marketing & promotional campaigns; exploring live events planning and technologies; creating music and sound design for various local industries; collaborating with students in other departments; and, performing for the public, both on and off campus. Details
MUSI 3653: World Music Minor in Music Experiential / Service Learning There are a number of experiential, applied courses, some of which include the following opportunities: presenting an online portfolio of work; exploring aspects of musical interaction, improvisation, and ensemble leadership; creating marketing & promotional campaigns; exploring live events planning and technologies; creating music and sound design for various local industries; collaborating with students in other departments; and, performing for the public, both on and off campus. Details
Work-Integrated Learning in Action
Thank you to our Partners – we couldn't do it without you! And, to our students - for so perfectly describing the benefits of Work-Integrated Learning!
Mini Claire - Langley Arts Council
Anthropology and Indigenous Community Justice Curator & Gallery Coordinator
Sarah Duncan - John Fluevog Shoes
Practicum, Fashion Design and Technology, KPU Design Intern
Olun Greenwood - Custom Controls
Work Experience for Physics for Mordern Technology program, KPU Electronics and Manufacturing & Assembly Tech
Work-Integrated Learning Initiatives
EmployersLearn about Funding Opportunities for Hiring KPU Students.
Co-operative Education
Gain related work experience in your field of study that helps you acquire key specialty skills and clarify your career and educational goals and interests before you graduate.
Melville Business Strategy Internship Program
The Melville School of Business Internships are paid internships available for business students in the following programs: Graduate Diplomas, Post-Baccalaureate Diplomas, Bachelor's Degrees or the following Business Diplomas - Accounting, Business Management, Business Administration, Public Relations, Computer Information Systems and Marketing Management
Service Learning Assistants Program
This award will advance a pilot program for service learning assistants, which will empower exceptional student-learners to help ensure service learning projects are transformative, meaningful, and reciprocal.
Partners
Partner with KPU to tap into emerging talent and collaborate on real-world learning experiences connecting your organization with the next generation of professionals.
Guidebooks and Resources
About KPU
For more than 40 years, Kwantlen Polytechnic University has provided students the skills they need for the careers they want. KPU offers a range of degree, diploma, certificate, and citation programs with opportunities for hands-on experience and experiential learning. We encourage students and external partners to work together since it gives students an opportunity to apply attitudes, skills, and knowledge in an employment or community setting.
Contact
For more information about Work-Integrated Learning, please contact:
For more information about programs and courses at KPU, please contact the Future Students' Office:
604.599.3030
study@kpu.ca
For university-wide initiatives, contact:
Larissa Petrillo, PhD
Special Advisor, Strategic Initiatives (Work-Integrated Learning), Office of the Provost & Vice-President, Academic
larissa.petrillo@kpu.ca
KPU is an accredited co-op institution with Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL), the lead organization for work-integrated learning in Canada. KPU is also a member of the Association for Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning BC/Yukon (ACE-WIL), a non-for-profit association of post-secondary, publicly funded institutions within BC/Yukon that offer work-integrated learning programs.
