Colorado Work-Integrated Learning (CO-WIL)
Building Colorado's workforce future through work-based learning in higher education
Established through House Bill 25-1186, the Colorado Work-Integrated Learning (CO-WIL) Consortium is a 3-year pilot program that embeds industry-sponsored, project-based learning directly into higher education courses. With $5.6+ million in philanthropic funding from Ascendium Education Group and Strada Education Foundation, CO-WIL aims to equip both students and institutions with the capacity to launch student careers without having to leave their classrooms.
Priority for rural-located institutions and low-income serving institutions.
WHAT IS CO-WIL?
CO-WIL helps Colorado's colleges and universities:
- Build Capacity - Financial and technical support to integrate work-integrated learning into curricula
- Launch Careers - Connect students to real-world projects from employers across sectors
- Define the Model - Establish proof of concept for sustained work-integrated learning
- Sustained Support - Three years of resources, professional development, and technical assistance
- Built for Your School - Flexible framework that works for your institution, faculty, and students
How It Works:
Through a third-party vendor marketplace platform, Riipen, faculty integrate industry-sponsored projects into existing courses. Students gain real-world experience while employers access talent and fresh perspectives. The virtual platform connects rural, urban, local, regional, national, and international employers with Colorado students.