The University of Waterloo’s relentless commitment to co-op and work-integrated learning (WIL) places us at the forefront of global education. With unmatched scale, impact and reach, our programs don’t just participate in the conversation—we lead it.
We are the gold standard. We push the boundaries of what’s possible and redefining excellence in WIL. Waterloo’s innovative approach drives transformative change, positioning our students as the architects of tomorrow’s world, equipped to challenge the status quo and make an indelible mark on the global stage.
The foundation of our innovation is based on our building blocks.
Innovative thinking starts with strong frameworks
AAA★ framework
The core of our success— the AAA★ framework—a research-driven, strategic foundation that underpins every aspect of our Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE) practices. The integration of these elements ensures that every experience is purposeful, impactful and aligned with the evolving needs of students and employers alike.
P.E.A.R. framework
Our P.E.A.R. framework drives the design and evaluation of WIL programs. Academically rigorous and deeply transformative, P.E.A.R. equips students with the skills, insights and adaptability needed to excel in an ever-changing landscape.
Sustainability Impact Framework
We help develop talent poised to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges using our Sustainability Impact Framework (SIF). The SIF goes beyond traditional learning, integrating real-world problem-solving with a commitment to global responsibility.
Future Ready Talent Framework
Our Future Ready Talent Framework (FRTF) is a research-backed tool designed to shape the workforce of tomorrow. It helps identify competencies essential for success in an ever-evolving landscape. This framework is a strategic roadmap that prepares students to hone the skills that will define the future of work and learning, empowering them to lead, innovate and make an impact in an increasingly complex world.
Purposeful Work Framework
Our cutting-edge Meaning-making Framework for Purposeful Work empowers students to uncover what meaningful work truly means to them. It guides learners through a dynamic process of self-discovery. The catalyst that turns career aspirations into reality, this framework drives students toward a future defined by purpose, passion and impact.
A robust foundation
The foundation we’ve built in CEE is to innovate at scale. We constantly evolve the co-op program to create new opportunities for students to develop desired future-ready skills.
What I really appreciate about Waterloo co-op students is that they are prepared and ready for work. Each work term, we get students who are highly committed, engaged and able to jump right into complex projects and make meaningful progress in just 16 weeks.
The assumption has always been that co-op programs have so many benefits for students as it prepares them for the workforce, and for companies as it exposes them to new talent. Our findings provide empirical evidence that co-op can also enable entrepreneurship.