Empower Your Business with Emerging Talent from ECU
Partner with Edith Cowan University to solve real-world business challenges through our Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Internship Program.
Why Partner with ECU?
- 5-Star Teaching Quality – 18 years running
- Access multi-disciplinary talent
- Flexible internship formats (on-site, online, hybrid)
- Innovative, cost-effective solutions to business problems
- Social impact & community engagement
Jobs from StudentConnect
What is Work Integrated Learning (WIL) at ECU?
Work-Integrated Learning directly links student learning to work and career through effectively designed experiential activities relevant to the students’ discipline of study.
It is an educational approach involving three parties – the student, educational institution, and an external partner – that uses authentic experiences to allow students to actively integrate theory with meaningful practice as an intentional component of the curriculum.
To view the ECU Schools of Discipline, go to 2025 ECU Schools of Discipline
Types of WIL at ECU
There are two main types of WIL at ECU:
Work-based WIL: WIL that is primarily undertaken in a practice setting (e.g., a workplace, a community, or remotely online with an external partner). For example: internships, work placements, practicums and professional practice.
Class/virtual WIL: WIL that is primarily undertaken in a face-to-face or virtual class setting (where ECU is not an employer or client). For example: external partner projects, consultancy services, competitions.
Benefits of Work Integrated Learning (WIL)
Students
There are known benefits for students who engage in WIL. These include:
- Practical application of theoretical knowledge.
- Developing life and professional skills.
- Supporting career goal setting and decision-making.
- Socialising into a profession or industry.
- Building networks.
- Developing confidence for recruitment and professional practice.
- Improving career prospects.
External Partners
There are also many benefits for external partners, such as:
- Accessing cutting-edge knowledge and innovative solutions.
- Discovering graduate talent early.
- Building mutually beneficial networks.
- Developing own staff through mentoring and coaching students.
- Completing existing or commencing new projects.
- Helping to shape what future students are taught.
WIL Options – flexible to suit your business needs
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Internship -minimum 100 hours (e.g., creative humanities, health science)
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Internship – minimum 225 hours (e.g., commerce, computer science)
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Internship – 450 hours (e.g., engineering)
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Project – flexible duration (e.g., individual or group projects)
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Research internship – minimum 60 days
Partner with us
ECU partners with government, not-for-profit and private organisations to deliver a high-quality WIL program.
How does it work?
The Centre for Employability adopts a whole-of-university approach to WIL, working across all of ECU’s schools and disciplines.
The Centre can work with the schools to find student talent to meet your business needs.
The process:
- Subscribe and submit an expression of interest via the StudentConnect Portal.
- The Centre for Employability will work with you to scope out the internship brief to ensure it meets all requirements.
- When the brief is confirmed, the Centre for Employability will work with school WIL representatives to identify students and target promotion.
- Students apply
- The Centre for Employability sends you a student application package for review.
- You interview and select the student/s who will become interns.
- The Centre for Employability confirms internship with you, student/s and school/s.
Examples of our Schools and some of their key discipline areas:
- Arts and Humanities – screen production, design, communication, social work, criminology
- Business and Law – commerce with majors in accounting, finance, human resources, project management, marketing.
- Engineering – chemical, civil, electrical, mechanical, mechatronics, technology (aviation), robotics, petroleum
- Medical and Health Sciences – health science, biomedical science, public health, occupational therapy
- Science – computer science, cybersecurity, data science, software engineering, IT, sustainability.
Am I a suitable host?
Host partners complete a suitability check to ensure a safe workplace.
Hosts must provide students with appropriate supervision (e.g. a marketing expert for digital/social media tasks). Supervisors will monitor and evaluate student performance and provide feedback, sometimes forming part of student assessment.
Partners are advised on terms relating to IP, confidentiality, insurance and roles and responsibilities.
How to get involved
Subscribe and submit an EOI via the StudentConnect Portal.
Hear From Our Partners
Proven Impact with Leading Partners
Meet The Team
The Centre for Employability has a committed team working with industry hosts and ECU’s schools and students.
Ready to Partner?
Email StudentConnect
