CO-OP EDUCATION
A co-operative education program integrates a student’s academic studies with work experience in co-operative education employer organizations. The plan is for the student to alternate periods of experience in appropriate fields of business, industry, government, social services and the professions in accordance with the following criteria:
- each work placement is developed and/or approved by the College as a suitable learning situation;
- the co-operative education student is engaged in productive work rather than merely observing;
- the co-operative education student receives remuneration for the work performed;
- the co-operative education student’s progress on the job is monitored by the College;
- the co-operative education student’s performance on the job is supervised and evaluated by the student’s co-operative education employer;
- the total co-operative education work experience is usually not less than twenty-five percent of the time spent in academic study.
What is the process by which the student will be placed in a work experience?
- Apply for Cooperative Education under the Career Development Center and successfully complete the interview process at the school
- Receive pre-cooperative training in the classroom
- Apply for the coop job opportunities and be interviewed by the employers, who offer the job opportunities
- Sign the Work Education Agreement form with the employer
- Sign the Confidentiality form
What does a student need to be enrolled in a CO-OP program?
- Copy of your passport
- Study permit
- Work permit
- SIN
- MSP/medical insurance
- Resume
Other requirements by Western British Columbia Polytechnic College:
- CELPIP: 6 overall with a minimal score of 6 in each section;
- or IELTS: 5.5 overall with a minimal score of 5 in each section;
- or TOEFL: 158 (computer-based test); or TOEFL 59 (internet-based test);
- or TOEIC: 525; or equivalent
- complete the fundamental courses of the program
- complete the cooperative interview