Co-op Education
Typically, Co-operative Education (Co-op for short) involves several different stints in the workplace throughout a degree. A student might spend their first 4 months in the classroom, then 4 months at a paid workplace, and then 4 months in the classroom, etc. Some programs just embrace one long (12-18 months) work placement. In either case, students ultimately spend between 25 and 30% of their program embedded in a workplace where they directly apply the material and reflect on what they learned in school.
Things to Consider
Building a Skilled Talent Pipeline
- Co-ops are an excellent way to “test-drive” potential hires and recruit motivated individuals upon graduation. Consider recruiting students for longer periods to pass on more skills and increase productivity.
Bolstering Productivity
- Co-ops work best when work completed at the organization complements what’s taught at school. Consider working closely with institutions to create structured programs ensuring students are getting the full experience resulting in higher productivity at your organization.
Innovation
- Many employers shared how surprised they were by the passion, motivation, and knowledge of WIL students. Create supportive environments where students feel empowered and comfortable to share new ideas and as well as the resources to develop creative solutions.
Workforce Management
- Opportunities to mentor and supervise students seeking practical experience can help develop the leadership skills of current employees. Consider having clear, detailed resources for supervisors to access to support their own learning and skill development while participating in WIL.
We Need Your Help!
We haven't heard from stakeholders in your industry about the benefits of work-integrated learning. Please share your thoughts, expectations and experiences related to the benefits of work-integrated learning by emailing the BHER team.