Changes to the University of Windsor’s work-study program aim at providing participants with opportunities to develop skills relevant to their careers.

The structure of the program will remain the same with notable enhancements to include:

• An updated job posting form and vetting process to feature learning outcomes and skills students can expect to develop in the role;
• An improved online application process to help employers identify suitable student hires;
• A mandatory professional development program so students arrive on the job better prepared;
• A toolkit to help employers develop experiential learning outcomes, integrate new hires and supervise them on an ongoing basis;
• A survey of feedback from participating students and employers.

Career & Employment Services and Student Awards and Financial Aid will co-host an information session for faculty and staff interested in learning more about these changes on Tuesday, August 1. The two offices encourage all campus work-study employers to send a delegate, 10 a.m. in room 203, Toldo Health Education Centre. Click here to register.

“This plan to formalize the work-integrated learning components of the work-study program is a timely one,” says Chris Busch, acting executive director of Co-op, Career & Employment Services. “It aligns with University’s commitment to expanding experiential learning, our Strategic Mandate Agreement with the province, and the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development’s Building Ontario’s Highly Skilled Workforce report.”

The changes reflect research by Career & Employment Services staff in collaboration with Student Awards and Financial Aid, including focus groups with employers and student participants exploring their levels of satisfaction with the work-study experience.

The University of Windsor provides about 400 students a year with paid, on-campus work experience through the work-study program. Potential employers will be able to access the job posting form Wednesday, August 2, on the mySuccess website; posted opportunities will be visible to approved students Monday, September 25.