Co-operative education
Employer guidebook
1 Co-operative education employer guidebook
We know co-op
CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION
ESTABLISHED 1969
As one of Canada’s first colleges to offer co-operative education, we know the value it offers students and employers.
With over 55 years of experience, Mohawk College remains committed to providing its students and employer partners with enriching and rewarding co-op experiences.
How does co-op work?
Co-operative Education links academic learning with practical work experiences. Not only do these job experiences facilitate the student’s vocational and personal development, but in return, your organization receives a skilled short-term hire and a dedicated talent pipeline.
What is a work term?
• Full-time work, typically in blocks of four, eight, or twelve months
• Four-month terms, based on an average of 35 hrs/wk
• Related to the student’s program of study
• Students are paid by the employer
• Alternates between full-time study and full-time employment across an academic program
Mohawk offers 22 programs that include a co-operative education option
Over 2,000 students participate in a co-op work term annually
Work-terms range from 4 – 12 months in length
Mohawk works with over 1,100 employers
99% of co-op students met or exceed employer expectations*
*2023 Employer Evaluation Survey
Co-operative education employer guidebook
Co-op programs offered
Mohawk offers a broad range of Co-operative Education programs to meet the needs of your business.
Business
• Business - Accounting
• Business Administration – Marketing
• Insurance
Community Services
• Community and Justice Services
• Police Foundations
• Protection, Security and Investigation
Skilled Trades
• Electrical Engineering Technician – Power
• Manufacturing Engineering Technician – Automation Technology
• Architectural Technology – Construction or Design
• Civil Engineering Technology
• Civil Engineering Technology – Transportation
• Computer Engineering Technology – Mechatronic Systems
• Computer Systems Technician – Network Systems
• Computer Systems Technician – Software Support
• Computer Systems Technology – Network Engineering and Security Analyst
• Computer Systems Technology – Software Development
• Electrical Engineering Technology
• Energy Systems Engineering Technology
• Environmental Technician
• Mechanical Engineering Technology
Co-op recruiting timelines
5 easy steps to hiring a co-op student
Step 1: Prepare the job description
Finding the right hire starts with a well-written job description. Your description will affect the quality and level of students who apply to your position. We will connect you with a Co-op Specialist who will guide you on the optimal content and format for your posting.
Step 2: Posting
Your job will be posted to Mohawk’s CareerReady job portal where students interested in applying will submit their resume electronically. Most postings are up for 5 days.
Step 3: Pre-screening
All resumes received through Mohawk’s CareerReady portal during the application period are forwarded directly to you for pre-screening.
Step 4: Interviewing
We will make all the necessary arrangements according to your specifications. In addition to in-person interviews, employers may also choose to hold virtual interviews (phone or video).
Step 5: After the interview
After the interview, let us know who you would like to hire and we will confirm the student’s acceptance of your job offer (salary, start date, location) within two business days.
Employer benefits
• Access highly motivated students from our 23 co-op programs
• Evaluate on-the-job performance for future graduate hiring
• Reduce recruiting costs and improve retention rates through the co-op hiring process
• Gain increased visibility among Mohawk’s top talent
• Fill short-term vacancies for special projects, vacations, contracts, and seasonal needs
• Eliminate or reduce the training period for future graduate hiring
• Access financial hiring incentives
“Mohawk’s co-op students continue to provide high-level service to our group. They are valuable and productive members of our team and displayed the technical and personal attributes that are necessary for the position.” – Co-op employer
Employer work term expectations
Work term contract
Within a work term contract, employers are asked to provide details regarding work term dates, job title, location, and rate of pay.
Supervision, orientation and health & safety
Employers are asked to assign a dedicated supervisor throughout the semester and provide a workplace orientation that includes health and safety protocols.
Site visit
A Co-op Specialist will book an on-site or virtual visit to discuss any concerns that employers may have. This typically happens between weeks five and twelve of the work term.
Work term evaluation
Constructive feedback is an integral component of the co-op experience. Employers are asked to complete student evaluations at specified times throughout the work term.
Mohawk College Co-operative Education
135 Fennell Avenue West, Room J137
Hamilton Ontario L9C 0E5
Email: coop@mohawkcollege.ca
mohawkcollege.ca/Co-op mohawkcollege.ca/Employers
Version #TSK-15973. Updated Winter 2025.