Employer guide to field placements

Employer guide to field placements

Student field placement employer guidebook

Centre for Experiential Learning

With over 50 years of experience, Mohawk College has a rich history of offering experiential learning (EL) and work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities for students and employers alike. These enriched educational activities are defined by the principle of learning while doing.

What is a field placement?

Field placements are a form of work-integrated learning, linking academic learning with practical work experience. Students participate in workplaces for a specified number of hours where they are exposed to authentic professional demands and expectations. Through supervised work, students develop and strengthen employability skills to support their transition into the workforce.

Available field placement programs

Mohawk College offers a broad range of field placements to meet your business needs in the following program areas.

Business placements

• Advertising and Marketing

Communications Management

• Bachelor of Analytics and Data Management (Degree)

• Business Analysis

• BBA Trades Management (Degree)

• Human Resources Management

• Office Administration (Health, Executive)

• Tourism

Creative Industries placements

• Broadcasting – Television and Communications Media

• Graphic Design

• Public Relations

Engineering placements

• Digital Health (Degree)

Skilled Trades & Apprenticeship placements

• Power Engineering Techniques

Employer benefits

• Access highly motivated and innovative students to build your talent pipeline

• Eliminate or reduce the training period for future graduate hiring

• Provide mentorship and leadership opportunities for your current staff

• Fill short-term or special projects, vacations and seasonal needs

Employer expectations

Placement documentation

• All unpaid field placements require an affiliation agreement and WSIB information.

Relevant work

• Student field placement opportunities must be relevant to the program of study.

Supervision and Mentorship

• An in-house mentor or supervisor must be available to provide guidance and evaluate student performance.

• Employers are asked to provide workplace orientation that includes health and safety protocols.

Paid vs. unpaid

• Field placements are commonly unpaid, with some exceptions (degrees and skilled trades). Employers who would like to compensate students can contact a Field Placement staff member for information.

5 easy steps for recruiting placement students

Step 1: Complete the Employer Participation Form

The Employer Participation Form will ask for the organization’s contact information and a comprehensive job description.

Step 2: Connect with Field Placement Staff

Field Placement staff will review the Employer Participation Form to determine program alignment and field placement timelines.

Step 3: Placement Documentation

All unpaid field placements require an Affiliation Agreement and WSIB information.

Step 4: Interviews or Rank & Match

Depending on the program, employers will either receive student applications to shortlist for interviews or participate in a Rank & Match process, in which a student is matched with your organization.

Step 5: Placement Confirmation

When a field placement offer is accepted, or a match is made, a Field Placement staff member will confirm the field placement details (contact information, location, start/end dates) with both the student and employer.

Contact us

Centre for Experiential Learning

135 Fennell Avenue West

Hamilton, Ontario L9C 0E5

Email: experiential@mohawkcollege.ca mohawkcollege.ca/Placements

Version #TSK-11864. Updated Spring 2024.