Work Integrated and Experiential Learning (WIL/EL)

According to the Ministry of Colleges and Universities, Research Excellence and Security(MCURES), experiential learning supports students in getting the hands-on learning opportunities that help them transition to employment. It also addresses employers’ needs for new graduates or young employees to “hit the ground running”. In support of the mission to transform hopes and dreams into lifelong success,

“There are many kids of experiential learning, including what is referred to as work-integrated learning. Experiential learning incorporates work-integrated learning but is broader in its recognition of how educational experience can prepare students to thrive in the workforce.” (Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities, 2017)

There are a number of characteristics that must be true for a learning experience to be classified as experiential learning. This checklist, created by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development (now MCURES), is a good tool for verifying if an experience counts as experiential learning.

Experiential Learning Checklist

Work-Integrated Learning and Experiential Learning at Algonquin College

Although work-integrated and experiential learning are often used interchangeably, there are distinct differences with experiential learning representing a boarder subset of learning experiences that include simulated activities and projects and work-integrated learning referring to more specific experience with employers and/or clients. The diagram below depicts the relationship between experiential and work-integrated learning. Algonquin College is dedicated to providing every student with experiential learning within their program of study.

“There are many kids of experiential learning, including what is referred to as work-integrated learning. Experiential learning incorporates work-integrated learning but is broader in its recognition of how educational experience can prepare students to thrive in the workforce.” (Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities, 2017)