Innovation Work Integrated Learning (InnWIL)

Seneca Polytechnic is a multiple-campus public college located in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario, Canada. It offers full-time and part-time programs at the baccalaureate, diploma, certificate and graduate levels.

By completing the series, individuals will have developed and refined the following skills.

Innovation and Creativity

Developing skills to allow students to think outside the box and develop innovative solutions to real-world problems. Fostered through programming that includes design thinking, ideation, empathy mapping.

Entrepreneurial Mindset

Developing importance of being proactive, taking calculated risks, and recognizing opportunities. This is developed through programming that includes Business Model Cansas, value proposition, understanding market needs, customer pain points, how to pivot ideas based on feedback, and validation processes.

Project Management

Equip participants with skills in planning, budgeting, delegating, and tracking progress. This is developed through Project Management Institutes’ Project Management Builder Certification that provides effective project management skills to support ideas move forward and are executed efficiently and on time. It is reinforced by programming that includes Systems Thinking, S.M.A.R.T Goals & KPIs, Gant Chart, Project Management Tools and Timeline & Milestones sessions.

Networking and Collaboration

Highlight the importance of building internal and external networks. This is developed through programming that includes: Team development, InStage sessions on networking. It is reinforced by working in cross disciplinary group teams on external partners projects, leveraging diverse perspectives and resources.

Business Acumen

Developing a knowledge of business fundamentals such as finance, marketing, and operations. Understanding these areas helps intrapreneurs align their projects with the company’s strategic goals. This is developed through programming focused on Legal Structures and Governance, Intellectual Property, Legal Requirements, Book-keeping, Financial Projections, marketing and Sales.

Leadership and Team Building

Develop leadership skills and the ability to build and manage effective teams. This includes fostering a culture of trust, transparency, and shared objectives. This is developed through programming focused on leadership and team building.

Soft Skills Development

Focus on communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills. These are crucial for navigating the corporate environment and driving projects forward. This is developed through programming focused on communication through InStage, Negotiation, Closing, pitch development.

Adaptability

Emphasize the importance of being adaptable to change. Encourage participants to stay updated with industry trends and continuously seek improvement. This is developed through programming focused on research, validation, and pivoting skills.

And by demonstrating those skills through:

• Completing Weekly Coaching Sessions providing opportunity to assess the development of skills and competencies. Workbooks on each topic allows the student to apply the skills and competencies developed into the development of their new venture.

• Completion of the Project Management Institutes’ Project Management Ready Certification

And by reflecting on their learning by:

• Completing a reflection journal throughout the 13 weeks of InnWIL. InnWIL workbooks on each topic allow the student to apply the skills and competencies developed into the development of their new venture and reflect on how this new knowledge can support the development of their venture.
• Weekly coaching session provides a one on one opportunity for the student to reflect on their learnings with the InnWIL coach and ensures that the student is developing the necessary skills.