Trent University’s commitment to providing every student with a meaningful experiential learning experience received significant support through $575,458 from the province’s Career Ready Fund.

The grant, provided to Trent’s Department of Co-op, Careers and Experiential Learning over two years, will increase experiential learning opportunities for Trent students through co-ops, internships, field placements, practica and community-based research in Peterborough, Durham, across Canada and internationally.

“With help from the Career Ready Fund through the Ontario Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development, Trent University has embarked on an ambitious plan to increase opportunities for students to engage in experiential learning that will prepare them for the workforce of the future,” says Tom Phillips, interim director, Co-op, Careers and Experiential Learning at Trent University. “This initiative will offer valuable learning experiences for Trent students, and also provide opportunities for our communities to benefit from the talents and perspectives that students, and future graduates, have to offer.”

In addition to making experiential learning opportunities accessible to all students, the new funding support also will create more capacity to develop and maintain partnerships in Trent’s communities of Peterborough, Durham GTA and beyond.

"Trent students are ready and willing to get involved in their community and are super excited to see more co-op and experiential learning opportunities becoming available,” said Brandon Remmelgas, president of the Trent Central Student Association. “We are excited to see more and more funding being invested directly into the quality of the Trent student experience and the vitality of our communities."

"Experiential learning gives students the chance to engage in a new-to-you environment gaining practical skills which go beyond the limitations of a university degree,” added Karen Albrecht, president of the Trent Durham Student Association. “While building positive relationships in their community, the experiences this funding supports will help students discover personal success by mastering their own skill sets and qualifications, while, at the same time, identifying their weaknesses, bridging the gaps to promote self-success. It can be as simple as signing up for an extracurricular program or heading out on a field trip with classmates. Experiential learning is an opportunity for all students to gain invaluable skills and insights." 

Ontario’s Career Ready Fund is part of the province’s Career Kick-Start Strategy, and helps publicly assisted colleges and universities, employers and other organizations create more experiential learning opportunities for post-secondary students and recent graduates. As noted in the 2018 Ontario Budget, the fund is expected to help create more than 70,000 new experiential learning opportunities for post-secondary students and new graduates between 2017–19.

“Ontario’s students are highly-educated and incredibly talented, but without some work-related experience on their resume, it can be challenging for them to land that first job after school,” says Mitzie Hunter, minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development. “With support from the Career Ready Fund, students and new graduates will gain the meaningful, real-world experience they need for a successful career start, and employers will have access to talent that can make an immediate impact on their success.”