We continue to provide exciting opportunities for students to gain real-world experience by working alongside industry partners, thanks to continued funding of the CEWIL iHub Grant that supports innovative work-integrated learning (WIL).
Seventy-two spring-semester students – many from underrepresented populations – will have access to new and enhanced WIL opportunities, with financial support to help cover costs. The funding will go towards transportation, internet access, technology and other tools required for their placements.
“We understand the financial impact the pandemic continues to have on our students. This funding allows George Brown College to continue to remove barriers and increase access to innovative work-integrated learning experiences,” said Dario Guescini, George Brown’s Director, Work-Integrated Learning, Experiential Education & Global Mobility. “These experiences can be fundamental to helping students kick-start their careers when they graduate.”
George Brown received $115,584 in federal funding to support students in the following four projects during the spring/summer term:
3D Modeling for Pearson Airport
Ten students in the Building Information Modelling (BIM) program will use BIM technology to look for efficiencies and create technical reports as part of the capital improvement plan for Terminal 1 at Pearson International Airport, thanks to a partnership between George Brown and the Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA). Students will complete this work remotely.
The funding will provide students who participate in the program with a stipend to support their work.
Online practicums for Career Development Practitioner students
George Brown has partnered with community organizations to provide 27 students in the Career Development Practitioner program with opportunities to complete practicums. Students will provide employment counselling to people from communities that lack equitable access to the labour market.
Students will develop their digital literacy and communications skills while providing remote support to people from marginalized and racialized communities.
The funding provides student grants to cover internet access and technology costs.
Culinary Skills (Preparatory Training) placements
As part of the Augmented Education program, George Brown provides employment-focused programs free of charge to people with complex mental health challenges and addiction histories. The Culinary Skills (Preparatory Training) program helps participants take their first steps towards sustainable employment in the food service industry.
The funding will help ensure 20 participants are successful in their work placements by covering the costs of culinary uniforms and non-slip footwear, knife sets, textbooks and cooking manuals, and transportation. The funding will also provide financial support for students to ensure they can fully participate in the online learning portion of the program.
Women in Fashion Technology placements
The Women in Fashion Technology program provides low-income women with digital and hands-on training to secure highly skilled employment in the fashion industry.
During their WIL placement, 15 participants will gain practical experience and training onsite at a manufacturer’s facility. This program provides specialized in-demand technical and field placement training to women to gain employment as digital technology machine operators. The funding will enhance the WIL experience for program participants by providing stipends.
Continued WIL funding
The funding was provided in part by the Government of Canada's Innovative Work-Integrated Learning Initiative (IWIL) and Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada’s Innovation Hub (iHUB). George Brown has so far received approximately $400,000 of this funding. The support also provided enhanced WIL opportunities for more than 300 students in our Winter 2021 semester.
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