EXPERIENCE. CO-OP.
WHAT IS CO-OP?
WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?
Co‑operative education is a model of education that integrates a student’s formal academic learning and workplace learning. The usual plan is for the student to alternate periods of school and work experience in appropriate fields of business, industry, government, social services and the professions in accordance with specific requirements.
While students benefit from the "hands-on, real-world" work experience, employers benefit in a number of ways as well:
WHAT IS A WORK TERM? Work terms are typically four, eight or 12 months in duration. At Brock, we can be flexible to meet the needs of our employers/industry. Each four-month term needs to be a minimum of 420 hours (full-time employment based on an average of 35 hours/week).
• A cost-effective and low-risk way to recruit and evaluate potential permanent hires • Access to a workforce of qualified, motivated students with significant academic and employment-readiness training. Brock students are able to hit the ground running and make an immediate contribution to your organization • Brock Co-op students bring a fresh perspective and knowledge of leading-edge concepts to your team • Co-op students are required to fulfil the terms of their employment obligations. The quality of the work term is monitored and formally evaluated • Relief for short-term peaks in workload, as well as help with special projects and research. Hiring Co-op students can also reduce costs associated with recruiting through traditional media sources or third-party vendors • You may receive federal and provincial wage subsidies and tax credits (the amount varies depending on the program of study)
WHY SHOULD I HIRE FROM BROCK CO-OP? HIGH QUALITY STUDENTS
DIVERSITY OF PROGRAMS
Brock Co-op Students are highly invested in their work terms. Required as part of their degree program, the students have chosen the Co-op option to gain relevant work experience in their field. Highly motivated students with a positive attitude have been identified repeatedly by our employers as the "Brock difference". Brock students are exposed to a mixture of in-class opportunities and experiential education opportunities (including Co-op) to ensure that the skills and techniques they are learning are relevant to, and can have practical applications to, the workforce and the challenges faced by employers.
Brock has students in 40 Co-op programs at the Undergraduate and Graduate level: UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS: • Accounting • Applied Economic Analysis • Biochemistry • Biotechnology • Business Administration • Business Administration International Dual Degree Program • Business Economics • Chemistry • Computing and Business • Computing and Network
EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE HIRING PROCESS Our continuous hiring process is an effective and efficient practice that allows employers to post positions, interview students and make an offer(s) at any time during the recruitment and selection period. Students will respond to your offer within 48 business hours.
HOW TO HIRE: Contact co-op at Brock
Develop your job posting
Post your co-op opportunities
Communications • Computer Science • Computing and Solid State Device Technology • Dramatic Arts • Earth Sciences • Economics • Environmental Geoscience • Geography (BA or BSc) • History • Labour Studies • Mathematics
• Mathematics and Computer Science • Neuroscience • Oenology and Viticulture • Physics • Political Science • Political Science Public Administration • Psychology • Public Health • Statistics • Tourism
GRADUATE PROGRAMS: • Master of Accountancy • Master of Business Administration • Master of Business Administration (International Student Pathway) • Master of Business Economics • Master of Critical Sociology
Select and interview applicants
• Master of History • Master of Professional Accounting (International Student Pathway) • Master of Social Justice and Equity Studies • Master of Sustainability
Select your successful candidate and extend offer of employment
HOW DOES BROCK PREPARE OUR STUDENTS FOR THEIR WORK TERM? Our Co-op Education Professional Preparation Course ensures our students are prepared for their work term. The classes also prepare students as they connect with industry professionals, and helps them become familiar with the job search process. The course is staffed by career development professionals who draw on their own specialized industry knowledge as well as feedback and input from employers who regularly recruit Brock Co-op students. Employers also have the opportunity to interact directly with the students in this course via industry panels, case competitions and simulated interview sessions. Work terms are as follows: Fall Term: September to December — job search/hiring begins in May Winter Term: January to April — job search/hiring begins in September Spring/Summer Term: May to August — job search/hiring begins in January Many students are eager to secure employment and begin searching at the beginning of the term. Posting early provides you with access to the largest pool of students. We do, however, offer Co-op recruitment on a continuous basis.
Time
FALL TERM
WINTER TERM
SUMMER TERM
Employment period
September – December
January – April
May – August
Send your job posting
May – August
September – December
January – April
Conduct co-op interviews
June – August
October – December
February – April
*Work terms alternate with academic terms.
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF THE STUDENT DURING A WORK TERM? As part of the work integrated learning model (WIL), Co-op students have a few structured self-reflection deliverables to complete during their work term. These requirements are designed to enhance their learning experience while on the job and are expected to be completed on their own time, outside of work hours. Deliverables include:
1. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
3. WORK SITE VISIT
Students will define and record their learning objectives and goals within the first five weeks of their work term. Students are encouraged to discuss and work with their supervisor to develop their learning objectives. Please feel free to ask the student if you are interested in finding out more.
Work site visits may be conducted in person, via telephone or via Skype approximately halfway through the work term. EDMs will discuss the student’s work term performance with both the student and the supervisor to ensure the quality of the work term is meeting both of your expectations. Please note, if there are any issues or concerns that require the attention of the Co-op Office prior to the site visit, employers are encouraged to reach out to the student’s EDM at any time during the work term.
2. WORK TERM PROGRESS REPORT Students will complete a self-reflection summary prior to their site visit. The summary will be discussed between the Employer Development Manager (EDM) and the student during the site visit.
SUGGESTED WAGES
Vary depending on industry and the student’s year of study/ experience. Ask your assigned EDM for guidelines, or visit: brocku.ca/ccee/hirebrocku/co-op-hiring
4. WORK TERM REPORT A report is required for students to attain a satisfactory grade in their Co-op work term. This report provides the student with an opportunity to reflect on the skills they have developed, as well as summarizing their accomplishments and aiding them in articulating a career plan. The report will not contain any confidential workplace information. If you are interested in reading your student’s report, please feel free to ask them to provide you with a copy.
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ME AS AN EMPLOYER DURING A WORK TERM? Once you have a student in place (see Hiring process), the Brock Co-op Education team continues to be available to support both you and the student throughout the term to ensure the quality of the experience meets both of your expectations. At Brock, we consider our employers as ‘education partners.’ To assist in the development of skills and expectations of workplace behaviours, we ask that employers participate in a work site visit approximately halfway through the work term. A Co-op staff team member will arrange to meet with the student and their supervisor individually to discuss their progress and performance. At the end of the work term, a link to an online performance evaluation is sent to supervisors. Our students welcome feedback on their job performance and see it as a vital part of their learning process and professional development.
EMPLOYERS: • Provide a paid career-related work experience with duties related to the program of study • Provide orientation training and ongoing supervision • Employ the student for the agreed work-term offered • Complete a work site visit and the final evaluation
80%
OF EMPLOYERS SAY CO-OP STUDENTS ARE POTENTIAL FUTURE EMPLOYEES.* *Leger Marketing employer survey for Universities Canada, 2014
* SAMPLE SEQUENCE FALL TERM
WINTER TERM
SPRING/SUMMER TERM
YEAR 1
Academic term
Academic term
Off
YEAR 2
Academic term/ Co-op Professional Preparation Course
Academic term
Off
YEAR 3
Work term 1
Academic term
Work term 2
YEAR 4
Academic term
Work term 3
Academic term
YEAR 5
Academic term
*Sequence varies by program
HIRE A BROCK STUDENT TODAY! brocku.ca/ccee/hirebrocku
Co-op Education Brock University Niagara Region 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1 905 688 5550 x4325 co-op@brocku.ca ï‚™ @BrockCoop
brocku.ca/co-op