Build practical technical skills for an evolving workplace
Apply critical thinking, technological agility, implementation, and data and information literacy to solve real workplace problems while developing expertise in selected areas such as generative AI, project management and programming for data analysis.The Technical Skills pilot offered in PD98: Special Topics in Work-Integrated Learning helps you build confidence using technical knowledge in authentic workplace situations. You’ll work through two technical skills modules, complete practical activities grounded in workplace use cases and consider how you can apply your learning in your current and future co-op and EDGE experiences.
Rather than preparing you for a specialized technical role, the course focuses on foundational, transferable skills that can support your work across disciplines and industries. You’ll explore how technology can improve workflows and productivity, how workplace projects move from planning to implementation, and how programming and data can support problem-solving and evidence-informed decisions. You’ll regularly reflect on your experiences, track your skill development, and consider how your growth aligns with the demands of today’s fast-changing world of work, all while engaging in real workplace activities.
What will you do in PD98?
You’ll select two of three technical skills modules, giving you flexibility to focus on the areas that are most relevant to your interests, experiences and professional goals.
Note: Engineering students participating in the pilot will complete the Generative AI and AI-Assisted Work and Project Management modules.
Through your selected modules, you will:
- Complete authentic technical tasks based on workplace use cases.
- Apply critical thinking and professional judgement when working with technology and technical information.
- Practice transferring your learning to WIL or project-based contexts.
- Consider how technical tools and approaches can help you contribute effectively within interdisciplinary teams.
- Identify areas for growth, engage in and reflect upon learning opportunities to promote continuous improvement.
Generative AI and AI-Assisted Work
Explore how generative AI tools can support workplace productivity, decision-making and innovation. You’ll consider how to use these tools responsibly and effectively in professional contexts while strengthening your technological agility.
Project Management
Learn how workplace initiatives move from concept to completion. You’ll develop practical approaches to planning, prioritizing, coordination, execution and continuous improvement that can help you turn ideas into action.
Programming for Data Analysis
Build a foundational understanding of programming and data analysis. You’ll explore how programming can help you solve workplace problems, analyze data and make informed decisions.
What will you get out of this course?
- Skills you can list on your résumé, such as AI-fluency, project management and programming and data analysis.
- A real workplace product that you can share with future employers to demonstrate your value.
- Greater confidence in using technical skills to support your workflows, problem-solving and contributions to interdisciplinary teams.
- A stronger understanding of how technical skills are shaping workplace tasks, decisions and ways of working.
What does the course structure look like?
Across the 10-week course, you’ll complete two technical skills modules, two applied WIL activities, reflection activities and a WIL workplace application. The course is designed to take approximately 20 hours to complete.
Reflection Moments
The course integrates reflection in three moments throughout to help you connect your learning to your professional growth. In these sections, you'll reflect on your experiences, strengths, goals and evolving workplace identity while connecting your learning to future career development.
WIL activities
Engage in industry-informed activities that give you experience using technical skills to address realistic workplace needs. Depending on the modules you complete, you may plan and communicate a workplace project, evaluate how GenAI could support a task, or use programming and data to explore a workplace problem.
WIL workplace application
Bring your learning together by applying knowledge and skills developed in one of the modules you complete to a workplace context. You’ll identify a relevant opportunity and use your learning in practice.
Who is this course for?
- Available to co-op and EDGE students from all disciplinary backgrounds.
- If you are interested in building practical skills in generative AI, project management, or programming and data analysis
- Those who want to build confidence selecting and using technical approaches to support workplace tasks, projects and decisions.
- Anyone who wants to develop adaptable, career-ready skills.
Grading information
This course will be graded as CR/NCR (credit/no credit). For specific details about the requirements to achieve a CR in PD 98, please see the course outline. If you have a question about grading in PD98, contact the Centre for WIL.