Common Types of Work Integrated Learning
The most common types of Work Integrated Learning entail spending time in a workplace learning skills and performing tasks related to your field of study. Clinical placements, internships, practicums, and fieldwork are a few examples. These are common in fields of study such as medicine, education, law, and engineering. You can do these during the semester or on your vacation for a few weeks to a year. Because you go into the workplace, these programmes are external. However, there are also internal WIL activities on campus. There are two kinds of internal WIL.
• Industry projects require you to complete a project or develop a product for a client (as part of a team). Industry projects, which are popular in IT and business degrees, are graded as part of your coursework.
• Simulated and virtual experiences allow you to perform work-related tasks on campus in a simulated work environment. They are common in many fields of study, from medicine to information technology.
WIL is common and sometimes required in certain fields of study but not in others. True Work Integrated Learning refers to activities that are either required or optional as part of a course and can be graded.
Other types of work experience can provide you with valuable hands-on experience, but they are not always a type of WIL. Internships are a popular example.
Read more about: Benefits of Work Integrated Learning Program