George Brown partnership will create new paid work-integrated learning opportunities for students, recent grads

CNC machining student

Providing students with real-world experience is one of our biggest priorities and we’re part of a new partnership that will create even more opportunities. 

George Brown College, along with six other post-secondary institutions, is part of the Drive Ability—Opening Doors program. It provides apprentices, students and recent graduates from business, technology, and engineering programs with paid work placements in the automotive and advanced manufacturing sectors. The program is funded by the provincial government and will create up to 600 placements. 

Creating high-quality hands-on learning experiences for our students and strengthening our industry partnerships are key components of our Strategy 2022/Vision 2030

“This program aligns with our commitment to improving student access to impactful work-integrated learning experiences. Through the program, students will apply their knowledge and build their professional networks on the job, while honing their professional skills,” says Dario Guescini, George Brown’s Director of Work Integrated Learning, Experiential Education & Global Mobility.  

George Brown students will be able to count their Drive Ability work experience toward their program placement requirements. 

Hands-on Learning at George Brown

The Drive Ability program benefits employers too, giving them access to new talent and wage incentives. George Brown and its program partners (Conestoga College, Fanshawe College, Georgian College, Mohawk College, Sheridan College and York University) will share work-integrated learning best practices. 

“Now more than ever, small-to-medium sized enterprises can benefit from stronger connections to post-secondary education through initiatives like Drive Ability,” Guescini says, “acquiring the talent they need to respond to a dynamic and rapidly evolving economy.”  

Ready to start preparing for your future career? 100 per cent of our career-focused programs offer at least one experiential learning opportunity. Get started with the Program Finder.