Handbook for Employers
A Message to Employers
Okanagan College offers a broad range of programs to help you meet your need for well-trained employees. We recognize the value of co-operative education in combining classroom and work experience, and in providing opportunities to develop and maintain essential links between today's employers and tomorrow's employees. Our instruction standards are high, and we endeavour to maintain close contact between our students and faculty. We know from experience that our strong classroom learning environment is enhanced by the on-the-job training and practical experience that are students can gain from co-op work terms in your work place.
We are pleased to provide an opportunity for you to work with our highly qualified students and graduates; while you evaluate and augment their capabilities, they will offer you their talents and enthusiasm.
We are committed to meeting the needs of business and industry and invite you to make Okanagan College your co-operative education of choice.
Russ Winslade, Director
Student Services
How do you hire a Co-op Student?
- Contact the Co-op Department for student availability and program information.
- Provide a job description and salary for the position you want filled.
- The Co-op Department will post the description for students.
- Students will apply with a resume and covering letter that will be forwarded to the employer.
- Employers will select students they want to interview and contact the Co-op Office to make interview arrangements. Interviews can be conducted on campus, at the employer's business or by telephone.
- Employers make a job offer to the successful student through the Co-op Office.
Benefits to employers
The success of any organization is dependent upon the calibre of the people within the organization. You can build a better work force and achieve a higher degree of success in the business world by proper utilization of a co-op program.
Co-op provides…..
- an opportunity to evaluate potential career employees without obligation or commitment to permanent employment.
- a proven cost-effective method of meeting both immediate and long-range human resource needs.
- a way of reducing the frustrations and costs of poor new employee performance and high turnover of junior staff.
- a source of innovative year-round help: January-April, May-August, and September-December.
- access to a pool of screened, motivated temporary employees for special projects, peak periods, vacation relief, or maternity leave coverage without costly advertising and dozens of unsuitable resumes to wade though.
- a means of contact with OC providing the opportunity to become involved and to be an influence in the education process.
Training and Productivity
Co-op students require shorter training periods than might be anticipated for two reasons:
- Co-operative programs provide students with specific job skills prior to their work terms.
- Co-op students are motivated, eager to learn, and make a productive contribution to their employees.
Employing First Work Term Co-Op Students
A key factor in operating a successful co-op program is the hiring of first term Co-Op students. The advantages are:
- The availability of students is significantly better for the first work term. Due to the tendency of students to return to first work term employers, as many as 50% may not be available for 2 nd and 3 rd work term interviews. Those who are available are generally students who have chosen to change employers to broaden their experience.
- It offers the possibility of experienced students returning for successive work terms.
- It provides an opportunity to train a "new" person to the employer's own standards.
Steps in the Hiring Process
- Contact the Co-op Department for student availability and program information.
- Provide a job description and salary for the position you want filled.
The Co-op Department will post the opportunity for co-op students.
- Students will apply with a cover letter & resume which will be forwarded to the employer upon close of the competition.
- Employers will select students they want to interview and contact the Co-op Office to make
- interview arrangements. Interviews can be conducted on campus, at the employer's business or by telephone.
- Employers make a job offer to the successful student through the Co-op Office.
FAQ's
What is the going rate for hiring a co-op student? Salaries are established by the employer. Aspects to consider are: the industry, the experience (work and prior coop work terms), the number of years of study, and the economic conditions.
What are my responsibilities as an employer?
To maximize the benefit of a Co-op work term, an employer will be expected to provide:
- Employment that is related to the student's field of study
- Accurate, informative job descriptions
- An orientation to familiarize the incoming student with the employer's situation and expectations
- Supervision of students by individuals who understand and are interested in co-op
- Increasing responsibilities in successive work terms for returning students
- An exit interview to discuss the student's performance and future plans
How do students prepare for work terms?
All students participating in Co-operative Education prepare for their work terms through a series of pre-employment seminars. The content of the seminars is based on information obtained from employers regarding what they expect from students during work terms.
- Resume and cover letter writing
Interview preparation
Professionalism
Typical first day orientation
Office protocol
Tips for succeeding in the workplace
How do Co-op students benefit?
- Paid work experience
- Training in how to get and keep a job through pre-employment seminars
- Contact with potential employers
- Opportunity to gain practical experience and be competitive in the job marketplace
- Opportunity to test a chosen field of study.
- Experience the demands of employment in their chosen fields and the expectations of employers
How are student work terms evaluated?
- All students and their employers are contacted and visited/monitored at least once during each work term. The co-ordinator completes an evaluation form based on the student's job duties and performance, quality of work, attendance and punctuality.
- Satisfactory completion of work terms is required for co-op designation on the student's diploma. Work terms are assessed on the rating earned on a work term report and on the employer evaluation form.
- At the end of each work term, the supervisor is asked to complete an employer evaluation form provided by OC. The employer is encouraged to discuss this final evaluation with the student and then return the form to the Co-op office.
- Students must complete a written work report for submission to the Co-op office.
How does OC Benefit?
- Opportunity to build closer ties with employers through more direct communication
- Student work placements provide opportunities to enhance program curricula
Co-operative Education programs attract motivated and enthusiastic students to the College
What are OC’s responsibilities?
- To develop and maintain a relevant curriculum reflecting the needs of employers
- To prepare co-op students for their work terms with appropriate skills and attitudes
- To provide an effective mechanism for the placement of co-op students
- In summary, the co-op office will, if at all possible, provide any information or service that will enhance the educational and employment benefits for both students and employers
Co-op Program Guidelines
OC Co-op Program Guidelines include the following criteria:
- Each work term is developed and/or approved by the institution as a suitable learning situation
- Students are engaged in productive work rather than merely observing
- Students receive remuneration for work performed
- Students' progress on the job as monitored by the institution
- At least 30 percent, and normally 50 percent, of a student's total co-operative education experience is spent engaged in career-related work terms
Contact Us
For information on hiring a Co-op student or about the programs in general, please contact the:
Student Graduate and Co-Op Employment Centre
Okanagan College
1000 KLO Road, Kelowna, BC V1Y 4X8
Telephone: (Local Calls) (250)862-5412 (Toll Free) 1-877-873-2452
Fax: (250) 862-5600
E-mail: coop@okanagan.bc.ca
Job Postings – Here you will find options for posting your employment opportunities.
Co-op Handbook for Employers – This handbook contains info and guidelines on hiring procedures, and the benefits of hiring a co-op student.
Recruitment – OC student and grads are available on a year round basis. Visit this section for a list of all programs offered at OC.
Information Sessions – Holding an information session is an excellent opportunity for you to meet interested and qualified candidates.
Employment Programs – Check out this section for information on Government Employment Programs.
Co-op Program Information – Here you’ll find details on all co-op programs, such as general program info, program employment focus, and more…
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