Co-op Education
Georgian is a recognized leader in student work experience
All of our programs emphasize practical, hands-on learning and most offer a formal work-integrated opportunity, ranging from paid co-op terms to internships and field placements.
What best describes you?
Connecting students with meaningful work experiences.
Building skills and industry connections through hands-on learning.
Within six months of graduation, exceeding the provincial average for 25 years.
Information for future students
Co-operative education integrates academic study terms with co-op work experience in a professional setting.
Co-op is an opportunity to use your learning on the job and confirm if the career is the right fit for you. It’s also a great way to build your employer network.
Co-op work terms at Georgian College are secured through a traditional job search, interview and selection process. Students are not placed or matched with a company.
Students in our co-op programs have access to a team of professionals who can assist them in developing their career path and job search strategies for successful employment.
At Georgian, we work within the CEWIL definition and guidelines of co-op:
- Work experience totals 50 percent of the time spent in academic studies
- Each work position is approved by the college as a productive learning experience related to the program of study
- The student should be paid, supervised and evaluated by the employer
Information for future international students
Many international students choose to study at Georgian College because we have a long history of delivering work-integrated learning, offering Canadian work experience in their field of study. Students can access support for their immigration status questions and receive coaching for a Canadian job search. Gaining industry-related work experience often leads to better opportunities upon completion of your program.
Experience co-operative education and work integrated learning (WIL) at Georgian!
Georgian is a recognized leader in student work experience
- Co-op integrates academics with full-time, paid work experience related to the field of study
- Students engage in a competitive job search process with support from experienced co-op staff
- 6,000 employers partner with Georgian to offer student real work experiences
- 4,100 Georgian students are enrolled in co-op programs
- Our programs are accredited by Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL Canada) which sets the standard for co-op programs in Canada
- Co-op Consultants are available to coach students in their co-op job search
- Employer Relations Consultants are available to meet employers’ hiring needs.
Georgian is a leader in graduate employment
- Co-op work terms can lead to full-time positions after graduation
- Key performance indicators
- Georgian’s graduate employment rate – 90.3% – continues to be above the provincial average, which we’ve exceeded for 25 years.
- This means 90.3% of our alumni found work within six months of graduation.
FAQs for future students
No. Students need to actively engage in the process of finding work; students are not placed or matched with a company. Jobs are secured through a traditional job search, interview and selection process. No student is guaranteed a co-op job. As long as you are actively and strategically job searching, are eligible for a co-op work term, and you access all the resources available, you are more likely to be successful in a co-op program.
Students are expected to manage their time and commitments and ask for help. So be proactive and get connected – use the services and plan ahead! Co-op consultants are here to provide supports to co-op students for job search related activity. These supports include:
- one-to-one job search assistance
- understanding employer expectations
- resumés, cover letters and interview coaching
- Program related career guidance
Contact Co-op Education and Career Success
Appointments can be booked on NAV360 or by calling 705.722.1523 or toll free 1.877.722.1523.
In your first year, you will take a Co-op and Career Preparation course with your co-op consultant. Before starting your program, here are some ways you can prepare for your co-op work term:
- Build a resumé and be open to making changes to it based on your co-op consultant’s industry specific suggestions.
- If you have previous work experience, consider contacting your employer(s) to ask them to be a reference for you. A letter of reference is optional.
- You may also want to build a portfolio depending on your field of study that includes awards, certificates, copies of other diplomas, reference letters, and examples of your work.
- Another suggestion is to be prepared to obtain an Ontario G2 or G driver’s licence. While it isn’t mandatory, employers will often request that students have a valid Ontario driver’s licence. For more information, visit the Ministry of Transportation
Yes, co-op work terms are paid. We expect students to be treated like any other employee at the company. Students will typically start at $17.60 per hour (minimum wage), depending on the industry, the company, the location, and the qualifications of the student – there is no maximum wage limit.
Students should allow a minimum of 4 months for an active job search. Most co-op job postings in Georgian Connects are posted 2 to 4 months before the start of the co-op term. Students should use a variety of job search strategies to increase their chances of success.
Georgian College works with thousands of employers throughout Ontario to provide opportunities to many students. Potential employers include major corporations, municipalities, small businesses, and charitable non-profit organizations.
Everyone has to start somewhere! While some employers may prefer to hire candidates with experience, many employers realize that not everyone comes with industry-related experience. There are other ways to gain experience and build a resumé. Co-op Education and Career Success staff can help you with your resumé and cover letters.
All international students are required to have a valid study permit and documentation from the college to prove that co-op is a mandatory component of the program. Staff in Georgian’s International Centre can guide you through the process. For further information, please visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website. You will also need to apply for a social insurance number (SIN) to legally work in Canada.
Yes. Georgian College works with employers to create opportunities for Georgian students and graduates across the province, nationally and internationally. Students who wish to explore co-op options outside of Ontario should speak with their co-op consultant.
Students in a co-op program with more than one co-op work term and who have worked in their field of study prior to starting their program may apply for a Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) for one of their work terms. Contact your co-op consultant to discuss your eligibility. Please note that there is a fee for processing a PLAR and completion of one work term is required.
Yes, co-op is a program graduation requirement.
Yes. For applicable programs, our team supports the facilitation of entrepreneurial co-op experiences (eCo-op). Please contact your co-op consult for more information about applying to this program.
Contact us
Connect with the Co-op Education team for support throughout your work-integrated learning experience.