Peggy Jarvie, executive director of Co-operative Education & Career Action at the University of Waterloo, is available to speak about the recently announced addition to Ontario Bill 64, the Protecting Interns and Creating a Learning Economy Act, introduced to the House of Commons by NDP MPP Peggy Sattler on February 17, 2015.
The Act aims to expand and improve high-quality, paid, work-integrated learning programs in Ontario Colleges and Universities through the formation of an Advisory Council on Work-Integrated Learning. The Council, composed of employers, post-secondary institutions, and students, will advise the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. The Act also sets out to improve the working conditions for all paid and unpaid work-integrated learning environments by updating the Employment Standards Act (ESA).
Peggy Jarvie said:
“With more than 18,300 of our students enrolled in 140 co-op programs, working for over 5,200 employers around the globe, the University of Waterloo stands out as a leader in work-integrated learning. We cannot afford to stand still, however. We are constantly looking to open new doors to diverse employment opportunities in Canada and internationally and draw employers to the rich talent pool in Waterloo and Ontario.”
“Thanks to Ms. Sattler, the new Act allows programs like ours to enhance and extend our services and capabilities through an increased collaboration between government, employers, and institutions. We expect these changes will support a new era of experiential education for students and the employers looking to harness the potential of a new generation of talent.”
As a thought leader in experiential education, Jarvie advises and holds speaking engagements around the world about the merits of co-operative education, work-integrated learning, and employer relations.
More information on Waterloo's world-leading co-operative education model is available in the 2014-15 State of the University Report.
