Today’s working life faces a major ongoing transformation characterised by increased complexity and specialisation of work and conditions for lifelong learning. This requires competencies beyond traditional theoretical knowledge, including the ability to prepare for uncertainty and unknown outcomes. Therefore, involving students in work-integrated learning (WIL) and learning how to learn for lifelong learning is essential. At University West in Sweden, educational programs are WIL-based and developed in collaboration with strategic partners to provide a relevant and attractive range of programs and courses. In this study, we argue that it is a shared responsibility for academia and business organisations to collaboratively develop innovative approaches to working and learning to secure a future workforce ready for a complex working life and continuous competence development. The purpose of the study is to identify and provide knowledge underpinning the understanding and application of WIL in higher education and working life. The goal is to develop a framework that supports key stakeholders in understanding, designing and applying WIL. Findings from this study suggest that the collaboration between teachers, partners, and students can be strengthened by a quality framework supporting the planning, implementation, reflection and improvement of WIL-based education and competence initiatives. The main contribution of the paper is a nuanced description of WIL conceptualizations along with a multi-perspective approach, bringing multiple perspectives into the development and application of WIL. It also highlights how a framework based on these foundations can support quality development and enhance the application of WIL in higher education and working life.