Co-op Education

The cost of co-op operations is paid for in part by the College and the co-op fees paid by each student. The fee for each work term is paid in three equal installments to cover your Preparation Term, Job Search Term, and Work Term. These fees are paid to the College and are added to your student account when you register for a co-op program. These fees are non-refundable. Visit the Tuition Fees Estimator to see how much the current co-op fees are.

What do my co-op fees cover?

Participating in co-op is not available to all students – therefore the fee cannot be included in tuition – it is an extra fee.  The fee helps to cover the administrative costs of operating the co-op program.  It includes:

• Work-term administrative related costs
• Academic delivery costs (extra course offerings to accommodate different streams)
• Additional costs for year-round operations

Co-op related activities costs

• Recruiting potential employers  (attend networking events, memberships in associations)
• Organizing and scheduling job interviews (lease of HireAC software)
• Preparing students for work-terms (co-op preparation modules, Preplacement interviews)
• Job search training and career guidance (ongoing consultation with students)
• Resume preparation counseling (cover letter support, one-on-one resume reviews, interview preparation, mock interviews and coaching to complete your own job search)
• Monitoring co-op student work including work-term consultations
• Interacting with the college faculties about student and employer concerns
• Validating jobs are suitable for co-op credit
• Maintaining co-op student and employer records

If you don’t want to participate in co-op, you must complete the online withdrawal form before the deadline as described in the academic calendar.

How does Co-op Work?

The Cooperative Education Office (Co-op Office) coordinates many work term activities including the job application process all the way through extending a job offer with an employer. The Co-op Office, Room 141, helps recruit the participation of employers; posts work term opportunities; helps students prepare resumes to companies for their review and selection; and arranges interviews, on or off campus.

All work term opportunities are approved by faculty and the Co-op Office to ensure that the work assignment meets the established program guidelines.

Co-op students are required to attend a co-op orientation session in the fall semester BEFORE they are scheduled to go out on co-op and work through a series of learning modules and workshops where topics covered include:

• Resume writing skills
• Interview techniques
• Work term responsibilities

Students applying for the Cooperative Education option of their program of study must meet all of the following criteria:

• Be registered as a full-time student in a program offering a Co-op option.
• Be registered in a course load that will complete all required courses for all levels preceding a scheduled work term for the program.
• Have a Program Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.70 (B-) or greater, as calculated by the academic department. Achievement of this minimum does not guarantee admission into Co-op (see Selection Criteria below).
• Register in a Co-op orientation.
• Remain on cycle with their Program of Study. This is a “ONE TIME OPPORTUNITY” to apply and qualify. Please consult the Co-op department or your Program Coordinator for additional details.
• Have passed all prerequisite courses in your program of study.

How to apply:

Many co-op programs are available for application through OCAS and the International Application Portal. If you applied to co-op at the college application stage, you do not need to re-apply, but you must maintain the established eligibility criteria.

Can I take any courses during a work-term?

Yes, however, you can take one course during your co-op work-term as long as it has been approved by the Program Coordinator and your employer. Taking the course must not affect your regular work in your co-op.

Can I withdraw from co-op?

If you want to completely withdraw from the co-op program, you must complete a Co-op withdrawal form. *Important: Co-op fees are non-refundable.

Do I have to submit an End of Work-term Report after each co-op work-term even if I do a back to back work-term with the same employer?

Yes. You need to complete all the assignments for each co-op work-term.

The value of the assignments is in the self-reflection on your work experience so that you can set and strive for your selected goals, and in the feedback that you and Algonquin get from the employer both positive and negative as the work experience unfolds. We ask that you put a full effort into the academic assignments in the first of your two work-terms. This will maximize the benefits of completing the assignments, to you, to your employer, and to your College. 

Does everyone in the program find jobs?

Being accepted into the Co-op program does not guarantee a job. Co-op placement rates vary depending on economic stability and labour market trends. The Co-op Officer is continually working with employers to develop jobs.

For students to maximize their chances of finding employment they must:

• Apply to all jobs for which they qualify
• Undertake their own job search
• Take advantage of the resources available through the Co-op office such as resume and cover letter review and interview practice, etc.
• Be flexible and willing to try new things

Does the Co-op Office provide any kind of support during a co-op work-term?

Yes. We follow-up to make sure the goals of you and your employer are being achieved. Your Co-op Officer is always available for you to contact throughout your work-term for other workplace assistance.

How and when can I apply?

Students will apply for co-op in their program of study in September using an online application form on HireAC. When the application portal on HireAC is open, students will be notified by email and provided with instructions on how to apply. The application portal will be open for roughly seven business days.

How do I find co-op employment?

There are a number of ways to secure co-op employment:

1. The Co-op Office provides postings of available employment opportunities on HireAC. These job postings will be made available after you have uploaded your resume to HireAC and received approval from a Co-op Officer.
2. You are also encouraged to conduct a self-directed job search and approach employers that you would like to work for directly, who may not have posted on HireAC. Self-developed co-op employment opportunities must be approved by the Co-op Office and meet the requirements to be considered a co-op work-term (i.e paid, full-time, related to the program of study, 12 – 16 consecutive weeks).
3. Depending on your program of study, you may have the opportunity to work a second consecutive co-op work-term. In this case, please notify the Co-op Office so we can properly update your co-op employment record at cooppembroke@algonquincollege.com.

How do I submit my co-op work-term assignments?

All of your assignments will be uploaded to HireAC, with the exception of your End of Work-term Report which will be submitted on Brightspace in your Co-op Work-term course. More information on completing your work-term assignments can be found in the Coop100: Professional Development for Co-op course on Brightspace.

What can I do if I don’t find a job?

If you do not find a valid co-op job in the time to complete a work-term then you may choose to drop out of the co-op option and return to the regular stream program. 

Where are the interviews held?

The Co-op Office will contact you and the employer to coordinate interviews. Interviews are often held on-campus to provide convenience to you and the employer. However, some employers prefer to host interviews at their location, over the phone or by video chat. If you are being interviewed at the employer’s location please make sure you bring an official Photo ID card as many employers require you to sign in and provide ID.

Where can I get more information on the Co-op program?

Visit the Pembroke Campus Co-op website, send an email to cooppembroke@algonquincollege.com, or call the Co-op office at 613-735-4700 ext. 2814.

Who grades my End of Work-term Report?

End of Work-term Reports are graded by your Program Coordinator.

Why do we have to pay additional fees and what are they for?

Cooperative Education fees cover costs of administration and services provided by the Co-op office and the College.

How does it work?

The Algonquin College Co-op Office is here to make the hiring process as smooth as possible for you. You start by submitting a brief job description to the office, either through our online form or to cooppembroke@algonquincollege.com.

The Co-op Office will post the job to our internal postings board, HireAC. Students will apply, and you’ll choose candidates to interview. Interviews can be held on the Pembroke Campus in rooms provided by the Co-op Office, or at your location.

Once you select your candidate, the job offer is presented to the student. Then all you need is a formal letter of offer, and you’re done!

The Co-op Office is with you every step of the way to ensure you get the best student for your position.

What’s my job after I hire a student?

Because co-op students are still considered students of Algonquin College, they have assignments to complete during their co-op work term. Students write a report and final evaluation, both of which need to be approved by you before being submitted.

What does the co-op office do?

The Co-op Office is your support system. From finding an appropriate student to coordinating interviews, to ensuring all runs well during the work term, we support both employers and students during their co-op experiences. We’re only a phone call away.

Recruitment Process

1. Post a job: Email your job description to us at coop@algonquincollege.com or submit our online job posting form. We recommend you post jobs 3-4 months in advance to access the largest talent pool. Jobs are typically posted for three to five days but can be easily customized to suit your needs.
2. Review the applications: On the day your job closes, you will receive an email that contains all of the applicants. Please let us know who are your top candidates and we would be happy to coordinate the interviews.
3. Interview: Let us know who you would like to interview by emailing cooppembroke@algonquincollege.com to schedule interviews. 
4. Make an offer: After the interview, let us know who you would like to hire, and we will confirm the student’s acceptance of your job offer within two business days.
5. Finalizing the offer: Lastly, send us your confirmation of the start/end date, hours per week, rate of pay, supervisor name and contact details.

Key Dates

Please see important co-op dates page – https://www.algonquincollege.com/coop-career-centre/important-co-op-dates/.

To help you pay your Algonquin College co-op student, there are several provincial and federal funding opportunities to help offset some of your salary costs.

Student Work Integrated Learning Program (SWILP)

The Federal government announced the Student Work-Integrated Learning program (SWILP) to support quality co-op experiences for students in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) and Business. This subsidy program provides up to $7,000 to help employers hire post-secondary students in full-time, four-month work-terms and is currently offered by the following partners:

BIOTalent Canada

Wage Subsidy:

• Up to 50% of wages or $5,000 for students that are not part of an under-represented group.
• Up to 70% of wages or $7,000 for students in underrepresented groups: women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), Indigenous students, recent immigrants, persons with disabilities and first-year students.

Eligible Employers: Organizations within the Bio-health, Bio-energy, Bio-industrial, Agri-Biotech industry or the co-op position is focused on bio-economy tasks.

Eligible Students:

• Registered in a Science Technology, Engineering, Mathematics or Business program at a Canadian post-secondary institution.
• Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or hold refugee status.
• Legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial legislation and regulations.

Application Process: Employers are asked to submit an online application form. Employers are asked to apply for the funding before selecting their student.

Approval Timeline: 5-10 business days

Contact:Jenn at 1-866-243-2472, ext. 298 or jash@biotalent.ca, contact Colleen, ext. 221 or chayes@biotalent.ca, or Hannah, ext. 215 or hwalhad@biotalent.ca.

CCAA (Canadian Council for Aerospace and Aviation)

Wage Subsidy:

• Up to 50% of wages or $5,000 for students that are not part of an under-represented group.
• Up to 70% of wages or $7,000 for students in underrepresented groups: women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), Indigenous students, recent immigrants, persons with disabilities and first-year students.

Eligible Employers: Organizations within the Aviation and Aerospace industry.

Eligible Students:

• Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or refugee status.
• Currently enrolled in a Canadian post-secondary institution.
• Consent to release employment information to CCAA and the Government of Canada periodically during the placement and after the end of the placement.

Application Process: Employers inquire about applying directly through Kethy S-K Sangaré, Project Coordinator, 613-727-8272, ext. 261 or ksossokolle@avaerocouncil.ca

ECO Canada (Environment and Climate Change Canada)

Wage Subsidy: Dollar-for-dollar salary matching, up to $5000, for all students that meet the eligibility criteria.

Eligible Employers: Environmental sector organizations within the Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics industry. Employers are asked to apply for the funding before selecting their student. Not-for-profit organizations are also eligible.

Eligible Students:

• Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or refugee status.
• 30 years of age or younger.
• Currently enrolled in a Canadian post-secondary institution.

Application Process: Employers are asked to submit an online application form.

Approval Timeline: 10 business days

Contact: coop@eco.ca

EHRC (Electricity Human Resources Canada)

Wage Subsidy:

• Up to 50% of wages or $5,000 for students that are not part of an under-represented group.
• Up to 70% of wages or $7,000 for students in underrepresented groups: women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), Indigenous students, recent immigrants, persons with disabilities and first-year students.

Eligible Employers:

• Canadian owned or a Canadian subsidiary.
• Primary activity is the generation, transmission and distribution of electrical power.
• Engaged in the manufacturing of equipment and the provision of services necessary to the generation, transmission and distribution of electrical power.

Eligible Students:

• Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or refugee status.
• Currently enrolled in a Canadian post‑secondary institution full-time.
• Legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial legislation and regulations.
• Provides consent to release co‑op employment information to EHRC Canada and the Government of Canada periodically during and after the end of the placement.

Eligible Students:

• Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or refugee status.
• Currently enrolled in a Canadian post‑secondary institution full-time.
• Legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial legislation and regulations.
• Provides consent to release co‑op employment information to EHRC Canada and the Government of Canada periodically during and after the end of the placement.

Application Process: Employers are asked to submit an online application form.

Approval Timeline: 5-10 business days

Contact: Sarah Jourson, Project Coordinator, 613.235.5540 ext. 229 or jourson@electricityhr.ca

ICTC (Information and Communication Technology Council)

Wage Subsidy:

• Up to 50% of wages or $5,000 for students that are not part of an under-represented group.
• Up to 70% of wages or $7,000 for students in underrepresented groups: women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), Indigenous students, recent immigrants, persons with disabilities and first-year students.

Eligible Employers: Organizations in the industry of intelligent Retail, Fintech, Advanced Manufacturing, or identified high-growth sectors such as Entertainment and Gaming, Connected Transportation, Biotechnology, Cybersecurity, E-health, Clean Tech, etc. Private-sector employers are only eligible.

Eligible Students:

• Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or refugee status.
• Currently enrolled in a Canadian post‑secondary institution full-time.
• Legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial legislation and regulations.

Application Process: Employers are asked to submit an online application form. Applications are accepted year-round and must be started approximately 2 months prior to start date.

Approval Timeline: Two weeks

Contact: WIL_Digital@ictc-ctic.ca

ITAC (Information Technology Association of Canada)

Wage Subsidy:

• Up to 50% of wages or $5,000 for students that are not part of an under-represented group.
• Up to 70% of wages or $7,000 for students in underrepresented groups: women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), Indigenous students, recent immigrants, persons with disabilities and first-year students.

Eligible Employers:

• You are a registered Canadian business or organization
• You are not a post-secondary institution, federal or provincial government group
• You have the financial capacity to hire a student for a part of full time work term, pay them consistently and provide a meaningful work experience

Application Process:Employers are asked to complete the online Application Portal Form to determine if the qualify for funding.

Contacts: careerready@itac.ca

MiHR (Mining Industry Human Resource Council)

Eligible Employers:

• Small, medium or large companies in the mining or mineral exploration sector.
• Post-secondary and not-for-profit organizations are also eligible for this funding.

Eligible Students:

• Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or refugee status.
• Currently enrolled in a Canadian post‑secondary institution full-time.
• Legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial legislation and regulations.
• Studying in fields related to science, technology, engineering, mathematics and/or business.

Application Process: Employers are asked to complete an Application Form and submit to gearingup@mihr.ca.

Approval Timeline: 10 days

Contact: Jennifer Wright, 613-270-9696, jwright@mihr.ca

Canada Summer Jobs

Not-for-profit organizations, public-sector employers and small businesses can receive funding to support summer job opportunities for young people aged 15 to 30 years who are full-time students intending to return to their studies in the upcoming school year.

Co-operative Education Tax Credit (CETC) – Up to $3,000

The Ontario government provides a Cooperative Education tax credit to businesses that hire students enrolled in a recognized Co-op Education program for 12-16 week work-terms. The majority of Algonquin College co-op work-terms qualify for this funding.

The Algonquin College co-op department automatically issues tax credit letters at the end of January each year; however, we can accommodate special requests for early issue.

Co-op students make a significant contribution to the organizations they work for, and as a result employers often want to keep them on staff even after co-op ends and students graduate. Below you will find some funding opportunities to help convert your co-op hire into a more long-term hire after graduation.

How does the Co-op hiring process work?

The Algonquin College Co-op office has recently changed to a more simplified process to recruit skilled, motivated, and enthusiastic Co-op students to meet your staffing requirements.

Step 1: Job description

• Outline and submit a “brief” job description prior to the start of a work term.
• Jobs may be forwarded to the Co-op Office by email: cooppembroke@algonquincollege.com
• They can also be posted through the  HireAC porta

Step 2: Job Posting

• Co-op Office posts your job(s).

Step 3: Selection

• Select candidates from resumes provided.

Step 4: Interviews

• Conduct interviews.

Step 5: Selection

• Choose a candidate and advise the Co-op Office. Job offers are presented to the student and the student is given 48 hours to consider the offer.

Step 6: Job offer

• Employers provide a formal letter of offer to student (Terms of employment, Salary, Start, End date, Reporting structure).

What are the Co-op Programs offered by Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus?

The Algonquin College Pembroke Campus is pleased to offer Co-op initiatives from five full-time programs including:

• Applied Nuclear Science and Radiation Safety
• Business
• Computer Systems Technician
• Environmental Technician
• Outdoor Adventure Naturalist

What should I pay a Co-op student?

Pay rates vary depending on the employer, the student’s program of study, and market conditions. By law, employers are required to pay the provincial hourly minimum wage rate. However, many employers decide to pay the going market rate for their respective posted position(s), as this will help attract the top co-op students. Please contact cooppembroke@algonquincollege.com to discuss salary ranges if you are not sure what an acceptable salary would be.

When do the Co-op work terms occur?

The Co-op work terms occur during two of the three semesters:

• Spring/Summer: May-August
  • Applied Nuclear Science and Radiation Safety
  • Business
  • Computer Systems Technician
  • Environmental Technician
  • Outdoor Adventure Naturalist
• Fall: September – December
  • Applied Nuclear Science and Radiation Safety

 Interested in posting a job for future Algonquin College co-op students? Email cooppembroke@algonquincollege.com or follow these instructions to post on our HireAC portal!