Ontario Student Voices (OSV)–which represents more than 125,000 college and polytechnic students–is calling for increased investments into accessible work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities. Specifically, OSV is calling for a WIL bursary program that would help students cover placement-related expenses and for the implementation of standardized assessment processes to evaluate students’ financial needs for WIL. These investments, OSV argues, would help ON to meet the increasing demand for skilled workers in key sectors like health care, manufacturing, and construction. “The workforce crisis is not just a challenge—it’s an opportunity,” states OSV. “By investing in postsecondary students through accessible WIL programs, Ontario can address its skills gap while fostering economic growth.”
