The two-day conference highlighted the importance of building Work Integrated Learning (WIL) experiences into academic courses and served as a platform to discuss strategies, share best practices, and explore innovative approaches to WIL.
Vice-Chancellor Nic Smith said, “WIL is fundamental, not just for Te Herenga Waka, but for the University sector as a whole. Universities are not just places where students learn in a lecture theatre, they are part of an ecosystem, and Wellington provides an extraordinary opportunity for students to connect with the creative arts, the wheels of power, and industry. The real magic happens when you can bring the learning experiences into context, so WIL is a central part of what we want our student experience to be going forward.”
The event began with a student showcase, a pre-conference event for staff, students, and delegates, showcasing how placements, internships, and projects boost students' industry experience and employability.
Undergraduate and postgraduate students presented their work, including fourth-year Law student Katie Donald, who shared her team’s experience working on live consultancy projects for Wellington charities.
Te Herenga Waka had a strong presence at the conference, with Professor Karen Smith from the Wellington School of Business and Government leading several sessions, including a panel discussion on ‘thriving partnerships for successful work-integrated learning’ and a round table workshop.
She believes hosting the WILNZ Conference enables the University to showcase the breadth of good WIL taking shape across different disciplines. “It also helped us learn from the wider WIL community to improve and expand our student offerings,” she says.
Collaboration was pivotal to the conference's success. The organising team worked closely with WILNZ and sponsors to offer a rich tapestry of experiences for the delegates.
Careers and Employment Manager Andrew Tui, the conference MC, said, “One of the best things about hosting the conference was making new connections and collaborating with many talented and skilled people—this highlights that quick synergies can happen when we can align our visions and aspirations to deliver great things.”
Alice Hodder, Senior Advisor—Work Integrated Learning and Career Development and conference speaker, said, “Our goal is to continue collaborating with academics and program creators to expand student opportunities and development, leveraging Wellington's industry ties. This will ensure that the academic learning and subsequent skills match future industry demands, preparing our students for successful careers.”
For more information about how to create good WIL, visit the Work Integrated Learning page on our website.