JOHN ABBOTT COLLEGE
Supporting Adult Learners Through Work Integrated Learning (WIL)

John Abbott College has recently been awarded a grant from CEWIL Canada (Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada) to help just over 60 adult learners. The grant was awarded for the project titled Internship experience (WIL) for adult learners in intensive technical programs with an emphasis on both technical and soft skills for the workplace.

Sylvie Boucher (centre), Business Outreach Manager and assistant coordinator of Internships, John Abbott College Centre for Continuing Education, and students in AEC programs from the Centre for Continuing Education.

The grant has been specifically awarded to the Centre for Continuing Education for students in four AEC (Attestation d'études collégiales) programs: Full Stack Developer, Applied Accounting & Administration, Mobile Application Development and Network Administration. As a condition of graduating from one of these programs, students are required to complete an internship (WIL). Students take the technical and soft skills learned throughout the program, and implement them in a work environment.

"This funding has been instrumental in providing critical financial support to mature students returning to school. It enables them to focus more fully on their internship experiences by reducing the pressure of balancing part-time work with full-time studies. As a result, these students are better positioned to succeed, graduate, and enter the workforce more quickly, contributing to their personal economic wellbeing and bolstering Canada's economy sooner."

- Sylvie Boucher, Business Outreach Manager and assistant coordinator of Internships, John Abbott College Centre for Continuing Education

The majority of the students in AEC programs are adult learners, often with their own families and responsibilities. Of late, more and more internships are unpaid, forcing many students to select their internship based on finances. With the CEWIL grant, students receive funding during their internship, allowing them to choose one that is more valuable and aligned with their competencies. Students are therefore able to fully immerse themselves in the experience without having to worry about related expenses such as transport, child care, clothing, and more.

"CEWIL Canada is pleased to support innovative WIL experiences for students at John Abbott College, where students receive financial support and recognition for their WIL experience. Funds such as these aim to eliminate barriers to WIL and increase access for all post-secondary students."

- Charlene Marion, Director WIL at CEWIL Canada

The John Abbott College Centre for Continuing Education has received multiple grants from CEWIL in the past. In 2021, three CEWIL grants were awarded for a total of $82,800. In 2023, $162,000 was granted. All were related to workplace training for technical students.

As part of the grant, Continuing Education hosted an employer recognition event. Internship partners and mentors were invited to the College where they were able to connect with administration and students. Partners and mentors were thanked for their support and awarded a certificate from the students and the College.

This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada's Innovative Work-Integrated Learning (I-WIL) Initiative, in part by CEWIL Canada's iHUB.