Work-integrated learning opportunities offered to students through on-the-job placements
The federal government has renewed funding for the Business + Higher Education Roundtable (BHER) program.
The $17.1-million investment over the next three years will enable the creation and scaling of over 22,300 work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities for students across Canada.
The WIL programs will build on existing skills with on-the-job placements that help students get a sense of workplace culture, experience the true industry environment, enhance their soft skills and technical skills, and build professional networks, says Ottawa.
Almost 75 per cent of employers stated that participation in BHER programming helped strengthen their talent pipeline, while 80 per cent of employers reported that they gained access to resources that helped fill a skill gap, according to a recent report commissioned by the roundtable.
“We are incredibly grateful to the government of Canada for renewing its investment in BHER and for doubling down on our shared commitment to preparing post-secondary students for the world of work,” said Valerie Walker, CEO of BHER.
“Reinvesting in BHER means working together to build capacity for WIL in Canada and strengthening collaboration in the WIL ecosystem, while making WIL more inclusive and diverse so more students gain the skills employers are looking for and more employers find the talent they need."
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BHER was first launched in 2015 and has supported nearly 40,000 WIL opportunities for students across Canada in the past.
Students who participate are more likely to benefit from higher earnings and more employment opportunities, be employed in fields more closely related to their studies and develop technical and work-ready skills sought after by employers, says the government.
