Greater Victoria – New Democrat MLAs Mitzi Dean, Lana Popham, and Murray Rankin say students at Royal Roads University, Camosun College, and the University of Victoria will have greater access to valuable learning opportunities with new co-op and work-integrated learning funding.
“The work-integrated learning program increases equity for students who don’t have older family members or mentors to help them with creating a resume or preparing for an interview, by providing them with the tools they need to succeed,” said Mitzi Dean, MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin. “This program expansion at Royal Roads also benefits our entire community by fostering collaboration and connection between academia and industry.”
“Co-ops, internships, and other practical learning opportunities set Camosun students up for strong careers by providing them with work experience, references, and job application and interview skills,” said Lana Popham, MLA for Saanich South. “The short-term work periods also help employers balance their spending with their needs, while still expanding their teams and bringing in bright minds.”
Royal Roads University will focus funding towards creating new co-ops, internships, field studies, and practicums for students in social sciences, particularly mid-career learners. Funding for Camosun College will go towards building new relationships and strengthening existing relationships with employers to encourage more work-integrated learning opportunities for students. The University of Victoria is receiving funding to hire additional staff to recruit new employers and create over 260 more placements for students, including 125 in the tourism, arts and culture, and hospitality industries, and over 75 for students with disabilities or those from other under-represented groups.
“These projects at UVic highlight an innovative approach to foster success for students and support the sectors hardest hit by the pandemic,” said Murray Rankin, MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head. “More hands-on learning placements, including those in the hospitality and tourism industries, will expand the workforce, benefit the economy, and provide students with valuable experience. I am especially excited to see the expansion of the CanAssist program and the focus on finding inclusive and high-quality employment opportunities for students with disabilities.”
This one-time funding will expand co-op and work-integrated learning programs, and focus on placements in sectors impacted by the pandemic. In total, 47 projects are being funded at all 25 public post-secondary institutions in B.C, creating up to 3,000 new co-op and work-integrated learning placements for students.
Investing in an economy that works for everyone is part of the New Democrat government’s plan to build back a stronger B.C.
Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021AEST0077-002292