Become a Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Partner
Interested in WIL?
Regardless of the sector or size of an organization – employers can create quality work-integrated learning opportunities. Our Career Education and Experience Development (CEED) Centre is here to help, please reach out to us to discuss building capacity for WIL.
Fill Out This Form or call 403.356.4891
WIL Opportunities for Employers
Download a detailed WIL Opportunity Guide for Employers
Arts
Learn about Creative Arts programming at Red Deer Polytechnic.
If you're an employer interested in hosting a student enrolled in one of RDP's programs for WIL. please email us.
Business
| Program | Hours | Terms | Paid or Unpaid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative Professional Certificate | 120 hours, 4 weeks, full-time | Winter, Spring | Unpaid |
| Advanced Accounting Co-op | 420 hours, 12 weeks, part-time | Coming Winter 2026! | Paid |
| Business Diploma (Field Placement) | 90 hours, 12 weeks, part-time | Fall, Winter | Unpaid |
| Business Diploma (Instructor led project-based) | 90 hours, 12 weeks, casual | Fall, Winter | Unpaid |
| Bachelor of Business Administration | 90 hours, 12 weeks, part-time | Fall, Winter | Unpaid |
| Executive Assistant Diploma | 90 hours, 12 weeks, casual | Fall, Winter | Unpaid |
| Legal Assistant Diploma | 175 hours, 5 weeks, full-time | Winter, Spring | Unpaid |
| Human Resources Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 270 hours, 8 weeks, full-time | Winter, Spring | Unpaid |
Education
- Type of WIL: Mandatory Professional Practice (Field Placement)
- Hours: 24 hours (3 hours/week over 8 weeks)
- Dates: Fall term: October- December & Winter term: February - April
- Course: EDUC 1500
- Type of WIL: Mandatory Professional Practice (Field Placement)
- Hours: 24 hours (3 hours/week over 8 weeks)
- Dates: Winter term: February - April
- Course: EDUC 2500
- Type of WIL: Mandatory Professional Practice (Practicum)
- Hours: 6 weeks (30 teaching days)
- Dates: November -December
- Course: EDUC 3500
- Type of WIL: Mandatory Professional Practice (Practicum)
- Hours: 12 weeks (60 teaching days)
- Dates: January- April
- Course: EDUC 4500
Early Learning and Childcare Certificate
- Type of WIL: Mandatory Professional Practice (Practicum)
- Hours: 180-200 hours
- Dates: Fall term: September-December, Winter term: January- April, Spring term: May-June
- Course: ELCC 210 & ELCC 220
Early Learning and Childcare Diploma
- Type of WIL: Mandatory Professional Practice (Practicum)
- Hours: 180-200 hours
- Dates: Fall term: September-December, Winter term: January- April, Spring term: May-June
- Course: ELCC 310 & ELCC 320
Educational Assistant Certificate
- Type of WIL: Mandatory Professional Practice (Field Placement)
- Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays for the length of the term
- Dates: Fall term: January - April
- Course: EDAS 181
Educational Assistant Certificate
- Type of WIL: Mandatory Professional Practice (Field Placement)
- Hours: Monday to Friday for 4 weeks
- Dates: Fall term: November & Spring term: May
- Course: EDAS 114
Engineering & Technologies
We are currently developing WIL opportunities for:
If you're an employer interested in hosting a student for WIL please contact ceed@rdpolytech.ca.
Health Sciences
Visit the Health Sciences webpage for information about RDP's programming.
If you're an employer interested in hosting a Health Sciences student for WIL, please email us.
Sciences
Learn about Science programming at Red Deer Polytechnic.
If you're an employer interested in hosting a Science student for WIL please email us.
Trades
Visit the Trades webpage for more information on Trades programming at Red Deer Polytechnic. Employers looking to hire apprentices can post on the RDP Student Job Board or email us.
Find out information on our annual Career Fair, Education and Career Expo and Industry Nights.
Funding Opportunities
Employers can receive funding for hiring students for work-integrated learning.
- Magnet Student Work Placement Program
Employers can receive a subsidy between $5,000 to $7,000 to provide paid WIL opportunities to post-secondary students during four-month terms. Note: This program is on pause until April 2025
Canada Summer Jobs is a program under the Youth Employment and Skills Strategies available through the Government of Canada. This program helps young Canadians (15 to 30 years old) develop skills and gain paid work experience.- Technology Alberta - FIRST Jobs Work Integrated Learning
FIRST (First Industry Research Science Technology) Jobs WIL is a fully-funded 200-hour program that offers meaningful work experience for a current student or recent graduate of an Alberta post-secondary institution while supporting the growth of Alberta’s SME Tech Sector. Employers can apply via Technology Alberta to post one or more part-time jobs paid for through reimbursement from Technology Alberta. Mitacs plays a unique and critical role in strengthening academia-industry cooperation in research and development — from STEM to social sciences, humanities, and arts — improving the attraction and training of highly qualified personnel. Mitacs supports collaborative research projects with colleges, CEGEPs, and polytechnics (students and faculty) and the organizations that benefit from their expertise.
Additional Resources
Employers can prepare to participate in work-integrated learning (WIL) by learning more about WIL through Co-operative Education and Work-integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL) where toolkits and more information on funding is available.
Through the Business in Higher Education Roundtable (BHER) Employers can take these free, three 15-minute modules to help them have a successful WIL experience.
Module 1: Getting Started Supporting Post-secondary Students
Module 2: Advancing Meaningful Learning Opportunities During Placement
Module 3: Wrapping up the placement