Co-operative Education
What is Co-operative Education?
Co-operative Education, or Co-op, prepares motivated post-secondary students with
the opportunity to combine academic studies with practical experience in their chosen
field. Students alternate between periods of full-time study and periods of full-time
paid work experience related to their current studies.
Recruitment for Co-operative Education takes place during the fall.
Co-operative Education relies upon a three-way partnership between the college, the employer,
and you, the student. Success depends upon the co-operative efforts of all partners. For more information,
please visit the following sections:
INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS
Programs | Benefits
| Timing | Fees
| Grading | & More
Do I get paid while I work?
Yes. Post-secondary Co-operative Education includes paid work terms. Co-op student
wages are set by the employer, but must be considered by the Co-op department to
be a fair market wage for the level of work you will be performing.
Wages vary from program to program with the range being from $1,200 to $3,000 per
month. The average wage for Co-op students across all program areas in 2010 was
$11.50 per hour. You are encouraged to look at the position details and skills to
be gained as opposed to looking only at the short-term dollar gain.
What programs at NIC offer Co-op as an option?
Co-operative Education is currently offered in Business Administration, Adventure
Tourism and Tourism/Hospitality Management.
What criteria do I have to meet to be eligible for Co-op?
Business Administration
- Plan to complete course requirements for the first year of your diploma before your
first work term (some exceptions may apply)
- Achieve and maintain a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.33 (C+)
- Participate in an intake interview
- Maintain full-time status as a student by taking a minimum of three courses during
the academic terms before and after work terms
More information for Business students can be found in the attached
Terms and Conditions and
Did You Know documents.
Hospitality Management and Adventure Tourism
As Co-op is mandatory in these programs, all students must successfully complete
their Co-operative Education Internship work term in order to receive their certificate
or their diploma.
More information for Tourism and Hospitality Management students can be found in
the attached
Terms and Conditions and
Did You Know documents.
What Co-op courses do I take to earn my Co-op designation?
Business Administration diploma program
(Accounting, General Management, or Marketing options)
Students must complete the following:
- EMP-100 Co-operative Education
Pre-Employment Seminar
- BUS-197 Business Administration
Co-operative Education Work Term 1
- BUS-297 Business Administration
Co-operative Education Work Term 2
Work terms and academic terms are four months long, full-time, and alternate in
a formalized sequence, ending on an academic term. Please note that the work terms
must take place in more than one season for a Co-operative Education designation
to be granted. (See the Business Student Handbook for all the possible work term
schedules.)
Bachelor of Business Administration degree
(Accounting, General Management, or Marketing majors)
Students must complete the following:
- EMP-100 Co-operative Education
Pre-Employment Seminar
- BUS-197 Business Administration
Co-operative Education Work Term 1
- BUS-297 Business Administration
Co-operative Education Work Term 2
- BUS-397 Business Administration
Co-operative Education Work Term 3
Work terms and academic terms are four months long, full-time, and alternate in
a formalized sequence, ending on an academic term. Please note that the work terms
must take place in more than one season for a Co-operative Education designation
to be granted. (See the Business Student Handbook for possible work term schedules.)
Tourism & Hospitality Management and Adventure Tourism
- EMP-100 Co-operative Education
Pre-Employment Seminar
- TRM-197 Tourism Co-operative
Education Internship and Work Term
What can graduating with a Co-op designation do for me?
A potential employer may recognize that, as a Co-op student, you have both the necessary
academic training and relevant work experience they require. Employers, themselves,
may have graduated from one of the many institutions throughout Canada that offer
Co-op. They will understand that Co-op means you are a graduate with experience
in the field and know how to transfer learning from the academic environment to
the "real world".
Here at North Island College, our Co-operative Education programs are accredited
by both national and provincial governing bodies, the Canadian Association for Co-operative
Education (CAFCE) and the Association for Co-operative Education (ACE). This means
that if you are planning to continue your studies within the same field at another
institution where Co-op is offered, you can apply to have your Co-op credits transferred.
You also benefit from the knowledge that employers across Canada recognize the quality
of your Co-op training.
What additional benefits does Co-op provide me?
Co-op students gain significant benefits from their participation. You can:
- Eliminate the "no job, no experience" cycle
- Learn lifelong work search skills and techniques including cover letter and resume
writing, and interviewing
- Apply your academic knowledge in a practical work setting
- Develop a network of valuable employment contacts and references
- Gain and document relevant career-related experience
- Fine-tune your career goals; test different career options
- Earn money to help finance your education
- Gain confidence in your skills and future employability
When do I register for Co-op?
Students (excluding Tourism students) apply for Co-op and are interviewed for the
program during the Fall term. However, you are not actually accepted into Co-op
until Fall term marks are available and transcripts have been reviewed (usually
the 2nd week of January). At that time, the Co-op department will contact eligible
students.
Once accepted, and before the first Pre-employment Seminar, students must register
for EMP-100, BUS-197, and pay the course fees. Pre-employment Seminars begin near
the end of January and continue weekly until just before the Winter final exam period.
See the Co-op office for specific registration deadlines for work terms as dates
vary from program to program and for 1st and 2nd year students.
Tourism students must register for EMP-100 before the first Pre-Employment Seminar
begins mid-September.
How long are the work terms?
To receive a Co-op designation on their diploma, Business students must successfully
complete at least two work terms. Each work term equals 30%
of time spent in academic study which is four months of full-time work. Each work
term requires 560 hours (minimum 420 hours) of paid work (based on 16 weeks at 35
hours per week).
Business students: Please consult the Business Student Handbook for possible work term schedules.
Tourism and Hospitality Management and Adventure Tourism students must successfully
complete at least one work term of 700 hours (minimum 525 hours) as part of their
diploma or certificate program.
What do the course registration fees pay for?
Co-op fees are based on credits assigned to the Pre-employment Seminar and each
work term course. The fees are a contribution toward the costs of services associated
with Co-operative Education programs that include:
- Pre-employment Seminars
- Individual career guidance
- Open doors to business contacts and employment opportunities
- Support during study and work periods
- Assistance with preparation for graduation work search
The Co-op fee is NOT A PLACEMENT FEE to find students a job.
How will Co-op affect student loans, financial aid or other assistance?
As each situation must be assessed on an individual basis by the funding agencies,
we cannot provide a definite answer about how your Co-op work term affects your
funding under different programs. However, we can say that while on a Co-op work
term you are considered to be a full-time student for the purposes of federal personal
income tax and the BC Student Assistance Program.
How is Co-op graded, and when are my marks available?
Co-op work terms are graded Pass or Fail. Marks are submitted following completion
of the work term Employer Evaluation and all related assignments.
Are employers subsidized?
While there is no direct Co-op subsidy for employers, we do assist employers in
accessing employment funding such as Service Canada Summer Jobs program that has
online applications available in February each year to make the opportunity more
viable.
Can a Co-op course be used to replace one of my program courses?
No. You must complete your program as described in the NIC Calendar. A Co-op course
cannot be used as an elective. Co-op courses are taken in addition to the courses
in your program and are used to determine if you meet the requirements for a Co-op
designation upon graduation.
What are the possibilities for employment?
The Employment Service Advisor is happy to assist you in finding employment locally,
provincially, or internationally. While participating in Co-operative Education
does not guarantee work, it is unusual for Co-op students to be unsuccessful in
securing work, some reasons this can occur are:
- The student does not adequately participate in the work-search process
- The local economy affects the number of suitable work opportunities
- The student is not able to consider out-of-town opportunities
- The student is not willing to adjust their expectations to their marketable skills
and the labour market needs
- The student requires additional interpersonal or communication skills to become
employable
- The student is not academically prepared prior to the work term
What happens if I do not secure work?
If you are unsuccessful in securing a work term and/or if insufficient opportunities
exist, your fees may be deferred to a future work term. Some conditions apply -
consult the Co-operative Education Student Handbook for details.
What does being a Co-op student mean?
Being a Co-operative Education student means that you have the drive to make your
dreams come true! When you combine positive action with your career goals amazing
opportunities may come your way. To achieve the best results, it is recommended
that you work closely with the Employment Service Advisor and view the Employment
Seminars as one of the keys to opening up your future possibilities.
The following lists the activities and time allocations required the first time
you apply:
- Attend information meeting (1 hour)
- Complete application form (1/2 hour)
- Attend an intake interview (1 hour)
- Attend Pre-employment Seminars (approximately 30 hours)
- Revise resume & cover letter for each application (6 to 8 hours)
- Actively participate in the work-search process and provide updates as required
(varies)
- Maintain close contact with the Co-op office (varies)
- Conduct research prior to interviews (min. 1 hour per interview)
What is the Work Search Process?
As a Co-op student, you are required to actively participate in the work search
process using a variety of work search techniques that are taught in the Co-op Pre-employment
Seminar meet with the Employment Service Advisor to identify work opportunities
that match your goals. Some of these activities may include (but are not limited
to): identifying potential leads for themselves and others, contacting employers,
writing employment proposals, conducting information interviews, attending community
events, conducting internet research, etc. If an opportunity develops primarily
as a result of your individual efforts, it will obviously not be posted or made
available to others.
In general, Co-op students who take responsibility for their role in the work search
process are consistently more successful in securing employment. They gain valuable
skills which not only contribute to their Co-op success, but will also be useful
in the long term in preparing for graduation and the employment transitions beyond.
Can my work terms be transferred between institutions?
Co-op work terms successfully completed at a post-secondary institution in BC may
be eligible for transfer credit if they meet the following requirements:
- You must be accepted into the Co-op program at the new institution
- The program in which the work term(s) was undertaken is provincially approved under
the Co-operative Education Fund of British Columbia
- The work term(s) is officially recognized, i.e. noted on the transcript by the institution
where the work term originated, and
- The work term(s) was granted for experience in the same discipline into which you
are transferring.
Final assessment of transfer credit applications is done by the receiving institution.
However, the Co-op department can assist you in this process.
How do I find out more about the Co-op program?
Attend an information session in October. Sessions are held on the Comox Valley
and the Campbell River campuses. At these meetings, application forms are distributed
and questions are answered. Announcements are made during first year classes.
If you are interested in Co-op and have not heard about the information meeting,
please contact the Employment Resource Centre, Monday �Wednesday
at 250-334-5076 or drop into Puntledge Hall room 120 on the Comox Valley campus
to inquire. In Campbell River, contact the Employment Resource Centre Thursday�Friday at 250-923-9739 or drop into to rooms C204
and C203 to speak with your Employment Service Advisor. While acceptance into the
Co-op program generally occurs in January, we welcome inquiries throughout the year.
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Benefits | Qualifications
| Obligations |
Costs | Availability & More
What is Co-operative Education?
It is a partnership between employers, students, and the college whereby students
work in paid career-related positions while earning non-academic credit. It gives
students the opportunity to integrate classroom theory with periods of practical
work experience.
While the goal of the college is to develop high-calibre, well-trained graduates
ready to assume productive careers in a dynamic and demanding work market, all parties
involved benefit.
What are the benefits of Co-op for employers?
- It reduces the time and cost of recruiting new employees
- It gives you access to a local group of highly motivated employees who have specialized
knowledge and current technology skills to respond to your business needs
- It allows you the opportunity to evaluate a student as a potential permanent employee,
without obligation or commitment to long-term employment
- It provides a source of temporary staff for short term special projects, seasonal
peaks and personnel shortages
- It enhances your public image with students, faculty and the community
What qualifications do students have and what programs do NIC Co-op students come
from?
NIC offers Co-op programs in:
- Bachelor of Business Administration degree (Accounting, General Management or Marketing
majors)
- Business Administration diploma (Accounting, General Management or Marketing options)
- Tourism & Hospitality Management diploma
- Adventure Tourism Management diploma
How is student eligibility for Co-op determined?
In general, students must have earned above average marks and have finished all
(or most) of their first year of studies prior to their first work term.
What are the obligations of the Co-op Employer?
- To provide employment in an area relevant to the student's area of study
- To appoint a supervisor who will assign tasks and objectives and provide leadership
and direction for the students throughout the work term
- To communicate with the Co-op office, as necessary
- To assist Co-op students in the development, achievement and evaluation of their
work term goals
- To participate in an on-site visit with Co-op staff and complete a performance evaluation
at the end of the work term
How much are students paid? Are employers subsidized?
Student salaries are entirely employer and market driven. However, in order to participate
in Co-op, employers are expected to pay a fair market wage for the type of work
the student will perform. Students are not marketed as cheap labour. The wage varies
from program to program with a range of $1,200 to $3,000 per month. The average
wage for Co-op students across all program areas in 2010 was $11.50 per hour. Students
are encouraged to look at the details of the position and skills to be gained as
opposed to looking only at the short-term dollar gain.
While there is no direct Co-op subsidy for employers who hire Co-op students, we
do assist employers in accessing employment funding such as Service Canada's Canada
Summer Jobs program that has online applications available in February each year
if this is required to make the opportunity viable.
When are students available for work and for how long?
Business Administration students: A variety of work term schedules
can be arranged with students. Most Co-op students who have completed their first
year of studies seek work that starts in May. Second year students are prepared
to work at any time of year. Students may also be available for longer periods,
which can result in significantly increased value for employers. These students
complete at least two four-month work terms (minimum requirement: 420 hours each
work term).
Tourism students: These students complete one internship work term
between the beginning of May and the end of September (minimum requirement: 525
hours).
May Co-op students complete all work terms with the same employer?
For those programs where two or more work terms are required, most students work
for a different employer during each of their work terms. Students may arrange to
complete a second work term with the same employer as long as the second work term
is relevant to the student's second year of studies and provides either different
duties or increased responsibilities.
What proportion of Co-op students return to their Co-op employers after graduation?
Our research shows that of Co-op graduates, 57% are employed upon graduation through
contacts they made with employers during their Co-op experiences. Employers often
use Co-op as an opportunity to hire and evaluate students for potential long-term
employment. Following a Co-op work term, students are truly a "no risk hire"
for the employer who has already determined that this employee is a "good fit"
to join their work team for the long term.
How do I hire a Co-op student through North Island College?
Simply contact the
Employment Resource Centre at the Comox Valley or Campbell River campus.
We will guide you through an easy process to develop a job posting for a Co-op student.
We will distribute the posting to eligible students, collect cover letters and resumes
by the specified date, notify students of interview times and, if you prefer, we
can arrange a place where you can hold interviews on campus.
For more information on Co-op opportunities for employers, please see our
brochure.
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