HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE VALUABLE

Co-operative Education is highly valued in post-secondary education by both students and employers.

Students who participate in co-op placements are paid by the employer, allowing for an excellent opportunity for students to learn on-the-job skills while at the same time, make an impression on their employer and co-workers.  Work experience through a co-op placement can lead to job opportunities upon graduation with the co-op employer, and gives you some actual work experience that so many employers are seeking in newly hired staff.

Employers who participate in co-op take advantage of hiring students who have already been taught the principles of business.  Employers often use co-op as a recruitment tool, as they see the value of grooming students for future employment.  It also gives employers an opportunity to provide feedback to the College about the skills that students bring to the workplace allowing for a healthy dialogue that can lead to enhancement of program curriculum.

Students must maintain a high academic standing in their first semester to qualify for co-operative education, and must then apply for a placement. The College has a co-op officer who helps secure these placements, but students must participate in job interviews to finalize them. Co-op placements are not guaranteed, but dependent upon suitable matches between students and employers, in terms of skills and goals.

In 2008, Algonquin College in the Ottawa Valley partnered with RBC Financial Group to secure several co-op placements within the banking industry in Eastern Ontario.  This is an example of the quality and importance of co-op placements available to Business students.

For more information about Co-op Education, check this link.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Kim Mantifel, Program Co-ordinator

613-735-4700, Ext. 2769

or Apply on-line at:  Ontariocolleges.ca