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Work-integrated learning (WIL) is a flexible, cost-effective solution for your organization. Whether you’re interested in hiring a graduate, a co-op student or providing internship opportunities, we want to connect you with NIC talent.

Post a job

CareerCentral is our exclusive job board for NIC students and alumni – and the perfect place for you to share your upcoming work opportunity or hiring event. It’s free and easy to register your business or organization.

Benefits for employers

Hiring a student for a co-op, internship or other type of work term can boost your organization in the following ways:

Reduced recruitment and hiring costs
Temporary employees who can quickly fill gaps or add capacity to your team to help with special projects, peak periods, vacation relief or maternity leave.

Options to screen future talent
Short-term student employees are the perfect opportunity to “road test” potential additions to your workplace without having to commit to permanent employment.
Help your current employees
In addition to meeting hiring needs, hiring students can free up your existing employees to focus on other priorities or allow them to develop supervision skills.

Are there benefits to offering a co-op term versus an internship?

Depending on your hiring needs, one option may be a better fit for your organization than the other. Visit our work-integrated learning and career services page for more details.

Co-op integrates on-campus, classroom learning with paid, practical workplace experience. Students earn three credits per co-op term and pay tuition that is equivalent to a three-credit course. They must complete a minimum of 420 hours and they are typically looking for work terms between May and August.

With internships, students will still pay tuition and earn three credits per work term, however internships can be paid or unpaid and are typically shorter, with a minimum completion requirement of 180 hours over four months. Students typically complete internships from September to December, January to April or May to August.

Business students on a work placement

Funding for hiring students

There are wage subsidies and grant programs available to reduce the cost of hiring a co-op student or intern. You may be eligible for federal or provincial funding resources.

Find funding