Work Integrated Learning (WIL)
Your time is money, so don’t give it away for free.
Students are expected to work for experience, but experience won’t pay the bills. Unpaid work is unfair and unsustainable. It’s time for change.
Why WIL?
For too long, work-integrated learning (WIL) has asked students to show up, contribute real labour, and absorb the financial cost themselves. 65% of students are financially unstable. 45% can’t reliably cover food and housing. Calling that a learning opportunity doesn’t make it fair.
IGNITE is working to bring that reality to the people with the power to change it.
What are We Trying to Achieve?
We are advocating for Humber Polytechnic and the University of Guelph-Humber to abandon unpaid internships as part of their curricula.
No Pay, No Partnerships
We’re calling on our institution to stop partnering with companies that don’t pay for student work opportunities.
Nonpayment Shouldn’t be a Requirement
Stop promoting unpaid WIL by removing language about unpaid work in course requirements.
Make Paid Work the Standard
Work with the Ministry of Colleges and Universities to secure legislation requiring institutions and businesses to provide WIL opportunities where mandated for graduation.
Confessions of Unpaid Interns
Read and watch stories from real Humber Polytechnic and University of Guelph-Humber students about their experiences as unpaid interns.
Shape Your Student Experience with IGNITE
Change happens when students speak up, and we work together to make that change real. IGNITE is your avenue to measurable impact, on campus and beyond.
WIL’s Timelines and Milestones
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Winter 2025 – July 2025
700+ Humber and Univeristy of Guelph-Humber students shared unpaid placement stories, mostly in Social & Community Services and Health & Science. By Oct. 2025, nearly 5,000 students had signed IGNITE’s “Time is Money” petition, and our “Dear Doug Ford” video had caught the attention of the opposition (NDP).
November 2025
At CSA’s Advocacy Summit, we brought student concerns about unpaid placements to Queen’s Park, connected with supportive MPPs, and secured a follow-up meeting with the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.
March 2026
Follow-up meetings with the institution to discuss changes to Humber’s promotion of WIL are in progress.
Why It Matters
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FAQs
Compensated opportunities are essential for students to focus on their education without the constant worry about making ends meet.
IGNITE is working hard to ensure every student is fairly compensated for their work.
How can I support the WIL campaign?
You can support the campaign by signing our petition to the Ministry of Colleges and Universities. Your voice holds weight!
What is work-integrated learning (WIL)?
Work-integrated learning opportunities are experiential education opportunities that take students out of the classroom and into their industry. These include co-ops, internships and placements.
What qualifies as compensation?
Compensation can include an hourly wage, salary or honorarium.
When Students Come Together, We Can Create Real Change
IGNITES’s success comes down to the engagement of the Humber Polytechnic and the University of Guelph-Humber student body. Check out our current active initiatives and make your voice heard!