I Am a Student Interested in Co-operative Education

Co-operative Education Program

Co-operative Education is intended to provide the student with real time, real work experience, in real workplaces relevant to their current field of study. Through "pre- and post-employment" training the student learns how to become more competitive with employment opportunities found on their own and through the Co-op office.  Confederation College offers Co-operative Education Programs in accordance with the following criteria:

  1. Each work term is developed in partnership with the college, student and employer and approved by the Program Coordinator and Co-operative Education Department as a suitable learning environment;
  2. Pre Employment Workshops are provided in advance of the CO-OP work term to help them progress from student to employee;
  3. The student will engage in a vigorous job search and if successful, productive work for which the student receives remuneration;
  4. The co-op curriculum supports student learning goals, personal evaluation and reflection;
  5. The student's performance in the workplace is supervised and evaluated by the employer;
  6. The student's progress during their work term is monitored by the co-operative education program;
  7. Both work and academic terms are full-time and follow a formalized sequence.  ​
  • The total amount of co-op work experience is normally at least 30% of the time spent in academic study.  For programs of two years or less the total amount may be a minimum of 25%.  A co-op work term is defined as a minimum of 12 weeks and/or 420 hours full-time paid experience;
  1. Our Co-op Programs begin during the May through August semester;

  2. Depending on the student's postsecondary program, Co-operative Education may be mandatory or optional. Check your program information to find out which one applies to you.

Preparing for a Co-op Work Term :

​In order to help you make an informed decision:

1. Check to see if your program is on our list of Co-op Programs. If yes, attend a Co-op Information Session (dates, times and locations posted on this website) or drop by Student Career Services in Sibley Hall on 960 William Street (located in the same building as the Northwest Employment Works) to learn more.

Admission Requirements:

When Applying to Co-op – 1st Year Student

When applying for regular admission to Confederation College, students can also apply for Co-op. The average requirements to be eligible to take part in a Co-op work term is as follows:

  1. Successful completion of all previous semester courses and obtain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 to meet the co-op application requirements of their respective program until formally registered in Co-op – spring semester;
  2. Maintain full time status as an attending college Student, prior to the commencement of each Co-op;
  3. Complete and submit the Co-operative Education Application and Agreement Form to the Co-op Office by the deadline specified.  (Forms will be made available during Co-op Information Sessions). 
  4. Register and complete Pre Employment Co-op Preparation Workshops (no fees attached)

​Fall Semester XX168 – Mondays, 10:30am – 12:20pm, Oct 30 – Nov 27, 2023, MCT 235 

Winter Semester XX170 – not available at this time

Need help in preparing for your job search?  Contact Student Career Services today.

Number of Work Terms:

Students who have more than one co-op work term in their program will automatically be registered in their second co-op upon completion of the first. Students must remain enrolled in a full time program and maintain a passing grade to be eligible for a co-op work term.

To learn more about course requirements, refer to your program of study, or ask your Program Coordinator for the Co-operative Education detailed course outline.