This week, I was on a virtual call from my desk with other entrepreneurs from across Niagara. We call ourselves Collab Culture, a collective of founders, freelancers, solopreneurs, and small but mighty business owners who meet regularly to talk business. And at this gathering, someone asked: “How do I even start working with students or getting into this whole co-op or WIL thing?”
And just like that, I felt the familiar flood, a head full of acronyms, funding programs, institutional pathways, application processes, and missed opportunities. I’ve worked in this space for over 20 years. But I know how overwhelming and inaccessible it can feel to the very people WIL was meant to support on the industry side.
So I said what I always do: “I can help.”
And now, thanks to CEWIL Canada, we actually get to, at scale.
The Talent Strategy Collective is proud to be one of the organizations selected by CEWIL Canada to lead a national environmental scan on WIL resources for industry and community partners, with a special focus on SMEs.
Our work is simple in concept, but powerful in impact. We’re taking a deep dive into:
- What resources currently exist to help businesses partner with post-secondary institutions?
- Whether these tools are accessible, user-friendly, and designed with SMEs in mind.
- What gaps remain, and how to close them with practical, scalable, bilingual support systems.
From the employer who’s never hired a co-op student before, to the chamber of commerce unsure how to guide their members, we’re listening. And more importantly, we’re building a roadmap that makes sense for everyone, not just those with HR teams and grant-writing departments.
Why SMEs, and why now?
Did you know that SMEs make up over 98% of all employer businesses in Canada?
Yet fewer than 25% of them regularly participate in work-integrated learning programs.
Why? Not because they’re unwilling, but because the system wasn’t built with them in mind.
🔹 Lack of time
🔹 Complex institutional processes
🔹 Unclear points of contact
🔹 Unfamiliar funding models
🔹 Jargon-heavy toolkits
…These are just a few of the barriers we hear time and again.
And the result? Students miss out on high-quality learning experiences, and SMEs lose access to innovative, ready-to-learn talent who could help them grow.
What we’re doing
Over the coming months, we’ll be:
- Reviewing toolkits and resources from across Canada (and beyond);
- Consulting directly with SMEs, postsecondary institutions, and industry associations.
- Identifying gaps in accessibility, language, usability, and engagement strategies.
- Delivering a final report with evidence-based recommendations and actionable tools that can be adopted across sectors and regions.
We’re engaging in both official languages. And we’re embedding equity, usability, and implementation at the core of every recommendation.
What to expect
We will be travelling the country to find out what you have to say:
- If you’ve ever tried to hire a student and was overwhelmed… we hear you.
- If you’ve been told “you should really apply for funding” and then got lost in the portal… we see you.
- If you’re an institution or industry group trying to make it easier for your members… we’re building with you.
This is a national effort, but it’s personal.
It started on a video call, at a desk, over a conversation.
It belongs in every boardroom, back office, and business incubator across Canada.
Join us
Are you a small business, a connector, or someone who believes in practical, hands-on learning as a way to build the future? We want to hear from you.
Let’s simplify, demystify, and amplify WIL, together.
Stay tuned for updates, opportunities to engage, and ways to plug in.
Because talent is everywhere. And it’s time our systems made room for all of it.
Cara Krezek
Founder & Chief Purpose Officer
The Talent Strategy Collective
🐝 The Hive Weekly Roundup – July 30, 2025 🐝
We’ve been buzzing with activity across speaking events, facilitation, conferences, and strategy sessions, and a wedding and honeymoon in the mix, and we are now back! This week’s roundup is packed with job opportunities across Canada in Career Education, Work-Integrated Learning, Community Engagement and more. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or looking for your next impactful move, there’s something here for you or to share with others in your circle!
Have a look and don’t forget to share with your networks!
British Columbia
- Associate Dean, Faculty of Academic and Career Preparation – VIU – Closes Jul 30
- Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Project Liaison – Capilano – Closes Aug 17
- Simulation and Experiential Learning Educator (Temp) – VCC – Closes Aug 4
- Director, Student Success – Kwantlen Polytechnic – Open until filled
- Manager, Operations & Community Engagement – UBC Sauder School of Business – Closes Aug 17
- Senior Director, Professional Programs – UBC Sauder School of Business – Closes Aug 5
- Co-op and Career Assistant – UVic – Closes Aug 4
- Co-op Coordinator – UVic – Closes Aug 4
- Strategic Initiatives and Projects Manager – UVic – Closes Aug 4
- Careers Hub Coordinator – Okanagan College – (Date error – posted as 2008-10-25)
- Director, Co-operative Education – SFU – Closes Aug 20
- Strategic Partnerships Manager (Temp) – SFU – Closes Aug 11
Alberta
- Community Engaged Learning Coordinator – U Lethbridge – Closes Aug 11
- Indigenous Coordinator – U Lethbridge – Closes Aug 10
- Settlement Studies Career Coach (Term) – NorQuest – Closes Aug 8
- Apprenticeship Programs Admin Coordinator (Term) – Red Deer Polytechnic – Closes Jul 30
- Business Development Lead – NAIT – Closes Aug 9
- Indigenous Liaison Specialist – NAIT – Closes Aug 2
- Careers & WIL Advisor (Temp) – UCalgary – Closes Aug 4
- Specialist, Partnerships & Engagement, Experience Ventures – UCalgary – Closes Aug 1
Saskatchewan
- Associate VP, Student Services – Saskatchewan Polytechnic – Closes TBD
Manitoba
- Community Engagement Coordinator – U Manitoba – Closes Aug 7
Ontario
- Training Consultant – Northern College
- Employment Services Support Clerk – Northern College
- Vice-President, Academic – Niagara College – Closes Aug 31
- Director, Teaching and Learning – Nipissing University – Closes Aug 1
- Employment Engagement Representative – Canadore – Closes Jul 31 at noon
- Employment Services Consultant – Georgian College – Closes Aug 5
- VP, Student Affairs – Laurier
- Placement Officer – Lakehead – Closes Aug 4
- Regional Clinical Placement Coordinator – Lakehead – Closes Aug 12
- Industry Liaison, AI Hub – Durham College – Closes Aug 1
- WIL Project Supervisor – Lambton College – Closes Aug 15
- Employment Consultant (Temp) – Loyalist College – Closes Aug 5
- Programs Coordinator, Entrepreneurship Hub – uOttawa – Closes Aug 4
- Manager, Talent Partnerships & Employer Relations (Term) – McMaster – Closes Jul 30
- Manager, Educational & Employer Partnerships – York – Closes Aug 8
- Career Education Coordinator – York – Closes TBD
- Career Services Officer (Term) – Rotman, U of T – Closes Aug 11
- Career Educator – St. George (U of T) – Closes Aug 5
- Lead, Venture Programs & Services – St. George (U of T) – Closes Jul 31
- Industry Outreach & Marketing Specialist – UTSC – Closes Aug 4
New Brunswick
- Strategic Director, Stakeholder Engagement – UNB – Closes Aug 6
- Executive Director, Startup Programs & Innovation Partnerships – UNB – Closes Aug 18
Quebec
- Manager of Student Services – Université Bishop – Closes TBD
Newfoundland & Labrador
- Manager, Economic Immigration Ideas Lab – College of the North Atlantic – Closes Aug 12
Nova Scotia
- Business Development Specialist (Temp) – St. Mary’s – Closes Aug 5
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