What does the term WIL mean?
Work integrated learning is a combination of two important words in experiential training: work and learning. The purpose of WIL is to bridge the gap between theory and praxis. WIL is a component that is used to prepare students for work-readiness with regards to their careers.
Public Relations and Communication is one of the courses that have a WIL component at the University of Johannesburg. Third year students are obliged to find a placement in any registered organisation that has a PR and Communication department to get hands on experience by integrating work and learning. The main reason for WIL is to learn by being involved rather than reading theories in vain without applying them practically. Benjamin Franklin once said, “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” This quote clearly accentuates the essence of work integrated learning.
WIL is a very lucrative tool that is being used by higher institutions to produce quality graduates who are ready for the work place. It equips the individual with technical and soft skills that are essential ingredients for the work-readiness.
I strongly believe WIL should be utilised by all courses, because it is a great tool to prepare students for work-readiness and to be employable.
Well said Mthimbani, I personally think that all Institutions should take the Working Integrated learning (WIL) programme into consideration and make it compulsory like UJ did with Public Relations and Communication Qualification. After all, one is expected to deliver and put into practice the theoretical content after obtaining his/her qualification and the only way to achieve that is through Work Integrated Learning being introduce to all Institutions. The WIL programme plays a vital role in ensuring that all graduates leaving Institutions after completing their studies to start their academic Careers are ready for the working environment and knowing exactly what are they expected to do.
ReplyDeleteI fully agree with you Jackie that's very true and thanks for your comment.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you have created a blog that explains to masses what WIL really is. Many big companies do not know what it really is they automatically think that it is an internship. I hope through this blog they will understand what it really is and they would be more knowledgeable about it. I cannot wait for your next post.
ReplyDeleteHopefully they are reading it:-) thank you Maggy for your comment. My next blog post will be this Friday and its more interactive than this one.
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