Mentor the future workforce of Nanaimo
Mentor the future workforce of Nanaimo
VIU students from over 80 different programs have work-integrated learning (WIL) as part of their studies.
These students are eager to learn, full of energy, and ready to bring their skills to your team.
Read on for:
- steps to bring a student into your workplace
- testimonials and stories about our WIL industry partners
- helpful resources for employers
How to hire a WIL student
- What particular skills are you looking for? Take a look at our program offerings to see which academic area aligns best.
- For how long do you want to work with a student? WIL opportunities are generally short-term, ranging from a few weeks to several months.
- Paid WIL: co-ops and apprenticeships.
- Unpaid WIL: clinical placements, mandatory professional practicums, field placements, and service learning
- Paid/unpaid WIL: Internships, work experience, and community research may be paid or unpaid depending on the program.
- Experience Hub is VIU’s online platform for career and work-integrated learning opportunities. Employers can post co-ops, internships, apprenticeships, and other paid WIL positions at no cost.
- Salary details are required for all postings except for non-profit organizations, which may advertise volunteer roles.
- Need help getting started?
Contact us at cel@viu.ca for support with setting up your employer account and connecting with WIL programs that align with your project or hiring needs.
- If your opportunity is unpaid and you need support to connect to a WIL program, such as field placements or practicums, contact cel@viu.ca for guidance.
Post your WIL opportunity
Unlock funding to grow your team
Considering hiring a VIU WIL student? Employers can receive up to $7,000 per student through federal and BC funding programs—covering 50–70% of wages—when they hire a WIL student. These grant opportunities make it easier and more affordable to bring fresh talent into your organization.
See how hiring a student can benefit your team.
Industry Partner WIL Awards
Each year, VIU recognizes industry partners who go above and beyond in mentoring our students through impactful work-integrated learning opportunities. The WIL Awards celebrate outstanding industry partner contributions with a formal awards ceremony and opportunities for provincial recognition.
Testimonials from employers
“Our experience with the Vancouver Island University (VIU) internship processes, particularly the recruitment and evaluation phases, has been highly positive. The interactions with the work-integrated learning faculty have been seamless and supportive, ensuring that the internship experience is beneficial for all parties involved. We appreciate VIU's professional approach and look forward to future collaborations.”
- David Michels, Geeks on the Beach
“We recognize the importance of developing editors, designers, writers, proofers, production coordinators, etc. By hosting interns, we believe we are being given an opportunity to ensure that there will be people coming out of the program with an interest in publishing books in Canada. We always appreciate that taking the time to explain to students how the industry and Caitlin Press operates presents an opportunity for us to evaluate and improve our processes.”
- Vici Johnstone, Caitlin Press
Resources for mentoring students
The WIL employer toolkit was made to help employers hire, train, and support students completing a WIL experience at their businesses.