BENEFITS

Student

• An opportunity to learn about industry and engineering from the best possible place – THE INSIDE!
• Gain self-confidence, independence, leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Gain hands-on experience in industry to complement classroom theories and methods
• Develop essential career building skills.
• Learn how to be a team player in a work setting.
• Learn about new career opportunities.
• Gain professional experience for your resume.
• Funding for education through Co-op or Internship salary.
• Develop business contacts in your chosen career field.
• Teaches valuable job-search skills such as career assessment, resume writing and interviewing techniques.
• Many students find permanent positions with their Co-op companies.

Employer

• Enhances personnel management flexibility with effective short-term employees.
• Provides an excellent pool of well-prepared employees.
• Improves the personnel selection process by using actual on-the-job performance as a basis for permanent hiring decisions.
• Increases cost-effectiveness of recruitment and training. Studies show employers save money by using Co-op and Internships to identify and train personnel.
• Improves workforce diversity through access to minority students for permanent employment.
• Increases retention rates among permanent employees recruited and hired through a Co-op or Internship. Both students and employers have time to try out the position and ensure that the fit is the most productive and effective for both.
• Participating students return to campus as “company ambassadors”, creating goodwill for the company.

Parent

• Encourages completion of college for all students, from top performers to traditionally non-college bound students, by linking school to work and providing access to earnings.
• Enhances affordability of college through employer paid wages. Provides a means of financial assistance that is available to all students, regardless of family income levels or other financial aid arrangements.
• Improves job opportunities after graduation by giving students valuable work experience and contact with potential future employers.
• Provides the relevant work experiences employers increasingly require of the graduates they hire.
• Many students are hired, after graduation, by their Co-op or Internship company.