Co-operative Education
A Co-operative Education work term integrates paid, program related
employment with academic study. Students alternate between studies and
career-related employment, giving them the opportunity to be better prepared
for the work force. Students gain confidence, contacts and practical knowledge in their chosen career.
Cooperative Education is currently offered in Business Administration degree and diploma programs,
Adventure Tourism Management and Tourism and Hospitality Management.
Information for Students
Information for Employers
What is Co-operative Education?
Often referred to as "Co-op", Co-operative Education 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 terms related
to their field of study. This approach to 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.
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.
What programs at NIC offer Co-op as an option?
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
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 to receive their
certificate or their diploma.
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-298 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".
Because the Co-op programs at NIC are provincially approved, students planning to continue their studies (within the same field) at another institution where Co-op is offered can apply to have their Co-op credits
transferred.
What additional benefits does Co-op provide me?
Co-op students gain significant benefits from their participation. You can:
- Eliminate the “no experience, no job - 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 you. Once accepted, and before the first Pre-employment Seminar, students must register for EMP 100 and 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.
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
Please note:
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 'P' or 'F' (Pass or Fail). Marks are submitted
following completion of the work term and all related assignments.
How much can I expect to be paid?
Student salaries are entirely employer and market driven. However, in order to participate in Co-op, employers are required to pay a fair market wage
for the type of work you will perform. You are not marketed as ‘cheap labour’. Wages vary from program to program with the range being from $
1200-$3000/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 details of
the position and skills to be gained as opposed to looking only at the short-term dollar gain.
Are employers subsidized?
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 if this is required to make the opportunity 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. 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 British Columbia post-secondary institution 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 down to 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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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 programs at NIC offer Co-op as an option?
- Bachelor of Business Administration degree
- Business Administration diploma
- Tourism & Hospitality Management diploma
- Adventure Tourism Management diploma
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
1200-$3000/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
HRSDC's Summer Career Placement program if this is required to make the opportunity viable.
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.
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 are also 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.
How many 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 campus nearest you. 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.
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