Judene Pretti highlights experiential learning at national conference
Waterloo’s co-operative education model was featured in a discussion about building Canada’s green and blue workforce
Leaders from across Canada gathered at the IMPACT 2026 conference to examine how post-secondary institutions can prepare students for careers in the growing green and blue economy. Judene Pretti represented the University of Waterloo at the conference where she highlighted how experiential learning strengthens Canada’s sustainable workforce.
Pretti, interim associate provost, co-operative and experiential education panelists from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and Memorial University’s Marine Institute for the session, “Educating for impact: How institutions are shaping Canada’s workforce.” The panel explored how institutions and employers can work together to equip students with skills for emerging sustainability-focused careers.
Pretti emphasized the scale and impact of Waterloo’s co-operative education model, where students apply their academic knowledge in professional settings through co-op and other work-integrated learning opportunities. Through these experiences, students gain practical insights while they develop essential skills such as critical thinking, communication, and adaptability. This approach both enriches their education and prepares them to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving workforce.
“At Waterloo, thousands of students prepare for work terms throughout the year,” Pretti said. “That continuous cycle allows institutions and employers to test and refine how we prepare students for the labour market.”
Students often complete multiple work terms across industries, organizations and regions, gaining exposure to different sectors and mentors. These experiences help them build resilience and broaden how they apply their skills in sustainability-focused roles.
Pretti also underscored the importance of sustained collaboration with industry partners. At Waterloo, these collaborations include engaging with employers through advisory boards and building strategic partnerships. As an example, Pretti highlighted the Tech Futures: Responsible Digital Innovation professional development course, developed in partnership with ECO Canada to bring together academic and industry expertise.
“When students understand how their work connects to broader sustainability goals, they see the impact they can have,” Pretti said. “Experiential learning helps them build both skills and purpose.”
Initiatives such as Waterloo’s SDG at Work activity encourage students to reflect on how their work-term experiences contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Canada’s evolving sustainable workforce.
Pretti and the Co-operative and Experiential Education team continue to advance Waterloo’s leadership in experiential education through national and international partnerships.