Co-op accreditation moves Georgian to front of the line for experiential education

Sept. 19, 2016

Georgian College has received accreditation for 12 of its co-operative education programs from the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education (CAFCE). Georgian is the first college in Ontario to achieve this accreditation.

CAFCE accreditation represents the highest standard of achievement for co-operative education programs in Canada, and recognizes that Georgian has met a wide range of quality standards in its programming.

The organization granted accreditation for co-op programs in Georgian’s Engineering and Environmental Technology department. These include Architectural Technician, Architectural Technology, Civil Engineering Technician – Construction, Civil Engineering Technology, Electrical Engineering Technician, Electrical Engineering Technology, Environmental Technician, Environmental Technology, Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician, Mechanical Technician – Precision Skills, Marine Engineering Technician and Marine Technology – Navigation.

“Receiving the CAFCE accreditation emphasizes our commitment to co-operative education and our view that co-op is an experiential learning opportunity facilitated with integrity, holding tremendous value,” said Megan Fenton, Manager, Co-operative Education and Career Success. “Being the first college in Ontario to achieve this accreditation provides confirmation we are a leader in co-operative education and the work we do meets the rigorous standards set out by CAFCE for co-op excellence.”

This accreditation is very important to employers, especially those in the engineering technology sector, Fenton said.

The accreditation process is comprehensive, and takes into account all aspects of co-op programming, delivery and administration, including co-op job approvals and employment rates, student preparation and learning objectives, and monitoring and assessment, among other criteria. Accreditation is granted for six years.

“We commend Georgian for its ongoing leadership in Canadian co-operative education and adherence to the CAFCE criteria and standards of quality,” said Karen Reimer, Chair, CAFCE Accreditation Council.

This accreditation further cements Georgian’s position as Ontario’s number one co-op college. A pioneer in co-op programs in the province, Georgian continues as a leader in the field. Georgian offers the most co-op programs – with paid work terms – in the Ontario college system (most recent figures from 2013-14). Georgian also has the most students registered in co-op programs and the highest percentage of programs with co-op. Almost 5,300 Georgian students are enrolled in co-op programs.

“Preparing graduates for meaningful employment is the most important thing we do,” said Georgian College President and CEO MaryLynn West-Moynes. “Graduates leave Georgian with networks, hard skills, work experience and strong resumés that give them an unrivalled advantage in launching their careers.”

The college’s strong commitment to co-operative education and other forms of experiential learning is paying off for graduates and employers alike. Georgian College is number one in graduate employment among all 22 English-language Ontario colleges for 2015-16.

A total of 87.8 per cent of Georgian graduates found work within six months of graduation. This is well above the average of all Ontario colleges, which is 83.6 per cent. These numbers were contained in survey results released in April by the Ontario Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development.