Gender-Based Disparities in Co-Op Participation: A View from Canada
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| Title: | Gender-Based Disparities in Co-Op Participation: A View from Canada |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Mrittika Dreesha, Emerson Lacroix, Roger Pizarro Milian, Brad Seward |
| Source: | International Journal of Work-Integrated Learning. 2025 26(4):753-769. |
| Availability: | New Zealand Association for Cooperative Education. University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand. Tel: +64-7-838-4892; e-mail: editor@ijwil.org; Web site: https://www.ijwil.org/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 19 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Foreign Countries, College Graduates, Postsecondary Education, Sex, Gender Differences, Work Based Learning, Cooperative Programs, Student Participation, Majors (Students) |
| Geographic Terms: | Canada |
| Abstract: | Work-integrated learning (WIL) has proliferated throughout Canadian postsecondary education (PSE) in recent decades, aided by governmental support, employer demand, and student needs. Although the benefits of WIL are well-documented, limited attention has been paid to the empirical analysis of gender disparities in WIL access. This study leverages data from Statistics Canada's 2018 National Graduates Survey (NGS) to model gender-based differences in co-op participation--the most prevalent form of WIL in Canada. The findings demonstrate that women are significantly less likely to participate in co-op than men, but that this gender gap is entirely explained by differential field of study selection. Implications for practitioners and policymakers within the WIL ecosystem are discussed, and areas for future research on demographic inequalities in WIL access are identified. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1492305 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Work-integrated learning (WIL) has proliferated throughout Canadian postsecondary education (PSE) in recent decades, aided by governmental support, employer demand, and student needs. Although the benefits of WIL are well-documented, limited attention has been paid to the empirical analysis of gender disparities in WIL access. This study leverages data from Statistics Canada's 2018 National Graduates Survey (NGS) to model gender-based differences in co-op participation--the most prevalent form of WIL in Canada. The findings demonstrate that women are significantly less likely to participate in co-op than men, but that this gender gap is entirely explained by differential field of study selection. Implications for practitioners and policymakers within the WIL ecosystem are discussed, and areas for future research on demographic inequalities in WIL access are identified. |
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