At Humber College, work-integrated learning (WIL) isn’t just an option—it’s a core part of the educational experience.
Under the leadership of Carl Oliver, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology, Humber College has built a reputation for career-driven, hands-on learning that equips students with the skills and experience needed to succeed in competitive industries.
With an extensive background in engineering education and workforce development, Oliver is deeply invested in preparing students for real-world challenges. From co-op placements to applied research, WIL opportunities in Humber’s Electronics Engineering Technology program ensure students gain practical, industry-relevant experience while fostering innovation and sustainability. In this interview, Oliver discusses how Humber’s polytechnic approach connects students with cutting-edge technology, industry professionals, and the latest advancements in the field.
How does Humber College incorporate work-integrated learning into its electronics engineering program, and what benefits does it provide to students?
CO: Work-integrated learning is in Humber’s DNA and gives students hands-on, career-driven education we are known for.
While students gain valuable experience that helps them launch a successful career, our industry and community partners benefit from access to fresh, high-skilled talent.
Our electronics engineering technology program offers an optional co-operative education placement opportunity. Optional co-operative education placements enable students to apply their skills and knowledge in a work environment and gain valuable and practical experience related to their program of study. They will improve personal and technical skills while expanding their professional network and foster lifelong employability for our graduates.
How does WIL in electronics engineering help students bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application in the industry?
CO: Delivering a polytechnic model of education means that our programs are career-focused and responsive to changes in competitive global job markets.
Academic theory blended with applied learning provides a strong educational foundation, while state-of-the-art facilities, capstone projects and work placements provide experiential learning in the classroom, and in the industry.
WIL is an excellent opportunity to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world challenges. Our students gain valuable real-life experience that gives them an edge in the job market, while employers benefit from fresh ideas and exceptional talent.
What role do industry professionals play in shaping the WIL experience for electronics engineering students at Humber?
Program Advisory Committees consisting of industry partners help Humber create one of the most dynamic program rosters in Canada by keeping Humber connected to the trends and needs of society. Members interact with other leaders in their fields to help ensure programs remain current and relevant to the marketplace needs.
Program Advisory Committee members include: employers, graduates, business and industry leaders, and representatives from professional and accrediting bodies and agencies.
This also helps create a pipeline for WIL opportunities. Several PAC members are also WIL industry partners, providing our students with real-world experience in WIL and co-op placements.
How do you ensure that students are exposed to the latest technologies and innovations in electronics engineering through their work-integrated learning opportunities?
CO: Humber has a long history of hands-on, career-focused learning, and that means our students benefit from partnering with enterprises of all sizes in the public and private sectors who are committed to acquiring the latest technology and equipment. As a result, our students are gaining real-world learning with enriching experiences that give them an advantage in the job market after graduation.
WIL experiences also include applied research. With faculty support, students investigate a problem, need or new entrepreneurial opportunity identified by an industry or community partner, with the goal of developing practical, measurable results.
For example, electronics engineering technology professor, Dr. Maryam Davoudpour is working with teams from other institutions on a research project that is developing a device to stimulate bedridden patients’ muscles. Nine Humber students have been involved in the project, working in our prototype lab as research assistants or through work-integrated learning opportunities.
In what ways does WIL prepare Humber electronics engineering students for the challenges and trends they will face in the ever-evolving tech industry?
CO: WIL initiatives including co-op placements and applied research projects empower students, have many educational benefits, and build skills and confidence.
Our students are gaining real-world learning with enriching experiences that give them an advantage in the job market after graduation and foster lifelong employability for our graduates.
How does WIL and education in engineering impact the ethical and sustainable practices within the industry?
With a decade of experience implementing sustainable practices and living our sustainability commitments, Humber has created a blueprint to empower our learners to shape a better tomorrow.
Students choosing to learn at Humber Polytechnic – a leading sustainable institution – will be uniquely positioned to address the climate crisis and create impact in their local and global communities.
For example, The Sustainable MicroGrid and Renewable Technology (SMART) Lab is the latest initiative in a long-standing partnership between Humber and Siemens Canada.
This lab and the accompanying PV Smartflower provide an environment to train students and professionals on using microgrids and expand our ability to work with industry partners on applied research.
The SMART Lab is an innovative Living Lab that provides an educational and experimental platform to train students and professionals on the use and control of distributed energy resources (DER) in a microgrid, renewable-based generation, and reliability in electrical power supply.
The field assets of the SMART Lab comprise, but are not limited to, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), Photo Voltaic (PV) Systems, Electrical Vehicle (EV) chargers, programmable loads, a DER controller for protection, and smart meters.
Humber is also stepping up to the challenge that the climate crisis poses by accelerating our net-zero target by more than two decades. In 2029, Humber Polytechnic will be among the first institutions in Canada to reach net zero—proving that bold goals, paired with concrete actions, can drive transformative change. There are not many Canadian institutions taking on decarbonization at this pace and scale, and we hope our work will inspire change far beyond Humber’s campuses.