Co-op Defined

Co-operative Education (“Co-op”) is a structured program that integrates a student’s academic studies with relevant, quality work experience. 

Your role as an employer is the co-operative part of this equation. We partner with employers from all sectors, in Canada and around the world, who in turn benefit from the contributions of bright, motivated co-op students.

Guidelines

To qualify as a co-op work term, the position you’re hiring for should be:

  • At least 420 hours per 4-month work term (full-time work)
  • Paid at an appropriate salary for the industry and level of responsibility, as well as meeting regional or provincial/federal employment laws
  • Supervised by a professional who offers mentorship and feedback throughout the work term 
  • Challenging, providing the student with work experience relevant to their academic pursuits and/or career development
Timelines

Co-op students are available year-round for 4, 8, 12 and up to 16 month work terms* beginning in January, May, and September each year. We begin posting co-op jobs 4 months before the intended start date. 

For Start Date InPost Jobs During
JanuarySeptember-December
MayJanuary-April
SeptemberMay-August

Our timelines during the posting period are flexible to meet yours, but we encourage you to post early to ensure access to the biggest pool of available candidates. 

* Different co-op programs may have varying guidelines on maximum length

Available Disciplines

Students are available from across almost every discipline:

  • Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
  • Business & Management
  • Engineering 
  • Forestry
  • Human Kinetics
  • Land & Food Systems
  • Science

To learn more, visit our Program Spotlight.

Additional Details