By: Raina DeBrouwer
Work-Integrated Learning has been making a splash in the news lately. Work-integrated learning, or WIL, blends academic study with hands-on work through work terms like co-ops, internships, and field placements. While not a novel concept – Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) has been facilitating work-integrated learning opportunities since 1979 – WIL has been of particular interest to both the Canadian and the Nova Scotian governments recently.
Recent Federal and Provincial Government Investment
The Canadian government announced significant investment into WIL in the 2025 budget as a strategic way to address youth unemployment, affordability, skills gaps, and rapid technological changes (CEWIL Canada). In November 2025, the federal government announced a commitment of $635.2 million over three years for the Student Work Placement Program to support around 55,000 WIL opportunities for post-secondary students in 2026-27. By helping students gain practical experience and employers gain access to emerging talent through wage subsidies, the federal government is working to boost long-term economic resilience in Canada.
The Nova Scotia government has also taken concrete steps to elevate WIL as a strategic priority to address both labour shortages and a need to retain graduates who might otherwise move elsewhere. Beyond the continued funding of subsidy programs like the Co-operative Education Incentive and the Student Summer Skills Incentive Program – both aimed at providing wage reimbursement for employees who hire students – Nova Scotia’s Legislature is working to strengthen WIL through policy. In March 2025, the Work-integrated Learning Programs Expansion Act (Bill 110) was introduced with the goal of embedding WIL opportunities as a requirement in post-secondary funding agreements. This will potentially broaden access to WIL experiences across all degree programs.
These government financial and policy investments reflect an understanding that quality student work placements are integral to broader economic resilience. By helping students transition successfully into the workforce, governments support both labour market needs and the individual success of graduates.
Mount Saint Vincent University: A Leader in WIL Outcomes
At MSVU, every undergraduate program offers a work-integrated learning component. Beyond this, the MSVU Co-op & WIL Centre is continuously working to expand program offerings to suit student needs and offer experiential learning opportunities in all forms – whether that’s participating in structured programs like co-op, or participating in service learning through classroom lessons.
The results of the 2024 MSVU Co-operative Education Graduate Survey show that our approach is resonating with students and leading to positive post-graduate work prospects:
- 94% of 2024 survey respondents are employed in their field of study
- 93% of 2024 survey respondents secured this work within six months of graduating
- 100% of 2024 survey respondents said their co-op/WIL experience helped them secure full-time employment
- 100% of 2024 survey respondents felt prepared for the workforce after completing work terms
- 100% of 2024 survey respondents reported satisfaction with MSVU’s WIL programs overall
Of the 154 MSVU students who completed work terms through the Co-op & WIL Centre (a 12% increase year over year), $1.58 million was earned. These outcomes show how MSVU’s commitment to providing meaningful work-integrated learning experiences not only benefits students personally and professionally, but also contributes directly to Nova Scotia’s economy. The Co-op & WIL Centre remains committed to further enhancing existing work term opportunities for students and continuously seeking additional avenues of WIL at MSVU.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As both Canada and Nova Scotia continue to prioritize work-integrated learning, MSVU will continue the path towards enhanced WIL offerings. In a world where practical experience increasingly defines employability, the government’s strategic embrace of work-integrated learning — through policy, program support, and funding — positions the country, province, and its graduates to thrive together.