Definition of Co-operative Education

Mohawk College is a member of Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL) and Experiential & Work-Integrated Learning Ontario (EWO) and follows the guidelines for their definition of a co-op.

Co-operative Education is defined as a program that formally integrates student academic studies alternating with structured cycles of work experience with an employer. A co-op position must adhere to the following guidelines to be approved by the Co-op department:

A co-op position must be approved by the co-operative education institution as a suitable learning situation, related to the student’s program of studies.

Co-op work terms must include the following:

• The student must be engaged in productive work rather than merely observing
• The student should receive remuneration for the work performed
• Student progress on the job will be monitored by the Co-op department
• Student performance on the job will be supervised and evaluated by the employer
• Students should be progressing through a formalized study/work sequence, as set by their academic program
• A work term must meet a minimum of 12 weeks, and/or 420 hours of full-time paid work

Role of the Co-operative Education Department

The Co-operative Education department supports co-op students in bridging their academic and workplace knowledge by connecting them with employment opportunities in their field of study.

The Co-operative Education department helps facilitate workplace opportunities by:

• Developing and maintaining partnerships with business, industry, and government agencies.
• Facilitating and evaluating the Co-operative Education preparation classes and assignments.
• Assisting students to develop marketable resumes, cover letters, and other job search documents.
• Providing guidance on proper interview techniques and job search strategies.
• Assessing the suitability of co-op work term employment opportunities.
• Facilitating the co-op recruitment process; including posting co-op jobs, arranging interviews, and facilitating offers of co-op employment.
• Monitoring co-op student progress during work terms.
• Providing industry feedback to the academic area for curriculum and program planning.

Student Expectations for Participation in Co-op:

Co-op students are ambassadors of Mohawk College and are expected to conduct themselves professionally throughout the co-op process and while out on a co-op work term.

The remainder of this document outlines the terms and conditions that allow for a successful operation of the co-op process and provides co-op students with the expected guidelines that they must be aware of and abide by to participate in co-op at Mohawk College.  Please read this document carefully.

Access and Release of Co-operative Education Information

By agreeing to participate in the Co-operative Education program at Mohawk College, students are giving consent to the Co-operative Education department to have access to and release the following information to current and potential co-operative education employers:

• Name, address, telephone number, and Mohawk College email address
• Resume, cover letter, and academic transcript
• Verbal feedback as it pertains to participation and work experience