Algonquin College partners with ICTC for student internships

Algonquin College is teaming up with the Information and Communications and Technology Council (ICTC), a not-for-profit centre of expertise on digital economy, to create more internship opportunities for students.

The initiative is part of ICTC’s Workplace Integrated Learning (WIL) Digital Program, which works with post-secondary schools to give students the skills they need to work in the technology sector. It is also funded by the Government of Canada’s Student Work Placement Program.

According to the college, the partnership will help better prepare students looking to enter in high-growth sectors.

“Experiential learning is a top priority for Algonquin College and we are excited to partner with the Information and Communications and Technology Council to enhance our learners’ opportunities,” says Claude Brulé, the college's president and chief executive officer, “This innovative agreement will allow us to provide our learners with valuable, relevant work experience for today’s digital economy – in everything from cybersecurity to big data to artificial intelligence.”

ICTC will set aside a number of placements for eligible students of the college's School of Advanced Technology, including programs like Computer Systems Technology – Security. ICTC and Algonquin will also work together to secure other industry partners and create more workplace learning opportunities, especially in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and business sectors. 

Namir Anani, ICTC's president and CEO, the collaboration will go a long way in giving students the advantage they need to break into the workforce.

“As the employment prospects for digital workers in Canada continue to intensify, we are delighted to partner with a leading academic institution to prepare the workforce of tomorrow and provide businesses with innovation-ready talent in an increasingly digital-based economy.”