Work-Integrated Learning
A Net-Zero Talent Pipeline Through Innovative Work Integrated Learning Opportunities
This project offered innovative work integrated learning opportunities that equipped students with practical net-zero skills and fostered industry collaboration resulting in a future generation of environmental leaders.
Introduction
Canada will need over 40,000 skilled environmental workers entering the green workforce every year for the next decade. To bridge this gap and empower young Canadians to pursue meaningful work, this project offers innovative work-integrated learning (iWIL) opportunities that equip students with practical net-zero skills and foster industry collaboration so we can build a future generation of environmental leaders.
Our goal was to:
- Empower young Canadians with the skills and experience needed to thrive in net-zero careers.
- Deepen collaboration between industry and educational institutions to ensure that the skills students have gained meet current and future workforce needs.
- Support Canadian employers in finding and attracting qualified green talent.
This project commenced on March 1, 2024, and concluded on March 31, 2025.
What is Work Integrated Learning?
Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) integrates a student’s academic studies with experiences within a workplace or practice setting. It involves a partnership among at least three key players: an academic institution, a host organization, and a student. Work-integrated learning enhances classroom learning and bridges theory with hands-on experience, preparing students for the complexities of the modern workplace. Some examples include co-ops, apprenticeships, or applied research.
Innovative WIL (I-WIL) are work-integrated learning experiences that are designed to be more adaptable and customizable. They occur over a shorter time frame, generally numbering weeks rather than months or semesters. These condensed experiences allow students to gain practical skills and insights while balancing their academic commitments.
Work-Integrated Learning Benefits:
- Ease the transition to the working world
- Give your students a competitive advantage
- Increase connections with industries in your region
- Increase job success rates for your program graduates
By helping employers with wage and training costs, we can minimize the risk to take on junior candidates and reduce the number of under or unemployed recent graduates.
Project Activities
Net Zero Bootcamps
The Net Zero Bootcamps enable students to gain a strong foundation of net-zero concepts. It was a 2–3-day bootcamp offered through partnering post-secondary institutions in Quebec, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon.
These bootcamps offered students baseline net-zero knowledge and skills, and emissions reductions across sectors.
These bootcamps equipped students with essential knowledge and skills for net-zero and emissions reductions across sectors. Topics included GHG emissions, climate change, net-zero policies, emerging technologies, industry trends, reporting frameworks, and featured guest speakers.
Bilingual Student Net Zero Challenges
In September 2024, we hosted a fast-paced, multi-day competition that challenged students across Canada to collaborate with their peers and industry partners to tackle real-world problems that are currently hindering progress toward net zero.
Students worked together in teams to develop innovative solutions and presented to a panel of judges during our Virtual Career Fair, with prizes being awarded to the top contestants. Learn more about the winners of the 100-Hour Net-Zero Student Challenge below.
Past Bootcamps
In-Person Bootcamp in Partnership with Holland College
Virtual Net Zero Bootcamp
In-Person Bootcamp in Partnership with McGill University
Quebec In-Person Bootcamp in Partnership with HEC Montréal
Yukon In-Person Bootcamp
Here's what past participants had to say:
Employers & Industry Representatives
From sharing your net-zero knowledge to providing guidance and networking opportunities, employer participation is key to enhancing student experiences! This was an excellent opportunity for individuals or organizations passionate about emissions reductions who want to share their experiences in the net-zero space.
Who we were looking for:
Organizations from diverse sectors such as energy, transportation, construction, utilities, waste management, and agriculture have integrated emissions reductions into their practices.
- Companies actively engaged in net-zero or other low-carbon initiatives and committed to sustainability goals.
- Those excited about companies sharing experiences with students!
Potential partnership opportunities include:
- At the Net Zero Bootcamp, you had the opportunity to become a panel speaker, attend a networking lunch and be part of industry-session presentations.
Post-secondary Institutions
Students learned from net-zero industry leaders and helped build a skilled talent pool for Canada’s green economy!
Potential partnership opportunities included:
Those involved in the Virtual Net Zero Student Challenge, anyone who hosted a Net Zero Bootcamp at your institution, provided curriculum feedback, recruited students, or helped out with bootcamp delivery.
Want more information?
If you are interested in learning more about these opportunities to build the future generation of net-zero leaders, please reach out to our project team by clicking below.
This project was done in partnership with the Business + Higher Education Roundtable, and with support from the Government of Canada.
