Fair compensation for Occupational Therapy students

I wanted to share my enthusiasm for the campaign started by the Canadian Association for Occupational Therapists to advocate for compensation for students during their placements. These placements last several weeks and by the last placement, most activities they perform have to be at the level of a competent entry-level Occupational Therapist. It begs the question of why this work would be unpaid and, in fact, require that students continue to pay the post-secondary institution to do work that a therapist is now delegating to them.

How fair is this? What are your thoughts?

It feels like a strange precedent to set for a career path. Our university programs give employers the impression that the work of these qualifying therapists is worth no compensation at all. Then, we discuss at length why Occupational Therapists are leaving the profession. These placements have a lasting impact on our professional reputations. This, while many of the students are struggling with crippling debt in an economy where the cost of living is excessive.

I hope you will support this new campaign, will spread awareness and consider how you can promote fair compensation for soon-to-be therapists:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/the-canadian-association-of-occupational-therapists-caot-_plaidez-en-faveur-de-lexon%C3%A9ration-de-activity-7387608995349499904-Mg7m?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAcd0DMB7MEbIcjAdhDjjb862oV_Xllhesc