Waterloo Centre for the Advancement
of Co-operative Education (WatCACE)
University of Waterloo
200 University Avenue West,
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
N2L 3G1
Phone: 519-888-4567 x32355
These programs, courses, and tools prepare learners for success in their WIL opportunities. Students typically prepare for WIL by improving their career and work search skills, gaining industry-specific knowledge, and reflecting on their goals and values.
Preparing for WIL program profiles
Students complete a pre-first work term course that combines career and work search skills with specific professional competencies.
Students attend Speaker Series sessions that provide skills and industry knowledge for the co-operative education application process and work term success.
Students work through a guided reflection tool to reduce their anxiety over career preparation and reflect on the outcomes of their experiences.
Conestoga uses the HSTrax software tool to help students track and share health and safety standards, certifications, and other documents with placement hosts and employers.
Students across 18 skilled trade programs receive additional support from an Apprenticeship Engagement Specialist and through the Hub, a new physical space devoted to apprenticeship students.
Relevant literature
You can view more relevant literature about preparing students for WIL by visiting WatCACE's WIL research portal.