Bursary Supports RDP Students Participating in Work-integrated Learning
The Accessible Work-Integrated Learning bursary, funded by Cooperative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada’s iHub, will help alleviate financial constraints for Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) students who participate in mandatory professional practice work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities. The funding valued at $492,000 will assist nearly 400 RDP students with costs associated with their WIL experiences during Fall 2025 Term.
“We are very grateful for this funding provided by CEWIL which reduces barriers for students,” says Kristine Plastow, Associate Vice President, Student Experience, Red Deer Polytechnic. “Through WIL opportunities, RDP students receive beneficial industry connections and experiences that complement their education and training at the Polytechnic, helping to prepare them for rewarding careers and contributing to the economic prosperity of Alberta.”
This support is particularly significant given that students complete WIL across the central Alberta region. The bursary will help offset a range of costs, including travel to placement sites, accommodations, childcare and potential income loss due to reduced paid employment during their WIL.
The initiative directly supports goals outlined in RDP’s 2030 Strategic Plan: Productivity and Social Impact, which commits to creating work-integrated learning opportunities for 100 per cent of students. This objective aligns with the Alberta 2030: Building Skills for Jobs strategy, which emphasizes expanding WIL to foster a highly skilled workforce and drive innovation across the province.
WIL for RDP students is supported by the Polytechnic’s Career Education and Experience Development (CEED) Centre, a centralized access point that connects students with employers and community partners, fostering valuable industry relationships and experiential learning opportunities. The CEED Centre, in collaboration with faculty and staff, plays a vital role in preparing students for the workforce by facilitating meaningful WIL experiences, as well as providing guidance and resources that support career exploration and readiness.
These efforts reflect RDP’s institutional priorities that emphasize applied learning, responsiveness to industry and community needs, flexibility and lifelong learning while contributing to Alberta’s broader economic and social development.
Since 2023/2024, Red Deer Polytechnic has been awarded almost $1.5 million from CEWIL to support student WIL bursaries. This continued investment underscores the importance of making work-integrated learning accessible and impactful for all learners.
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