Employers guide to Co-operative Education

There are two main recruitment periods during the year. Generally employers provide a position description for distribution to eligible students or, at a minimum, details of their application and recruitment process. Applications are collated through the relevant School and forwarded to employers for consideration.

  1. After results become available in semester two, year two, the WIL Manager identifies students who will be eligible for co-operative education in the following year. Letters are sent to students informing them of their eligibility to begin a co-operative education placement in either July (mid-year) or December (end-year). End-year placements can start between November – February. Students negotiate start date with employers.
  2. In semester one, year three, prior to co-operative education placements (mid-year or end-year), students attend the compulsory WIL/co-operative education preparation program.
  3. Employers confirm placements and provide jobs descriptions to WIL Manager.
  4. Students apply for placements.
  5. Applications forwarded to employers.
  6. Employers arrange and conduct interviews with students.
  7. Employers inform students of the outcome of interview.
  8. Students formally accept or decline offers of placements by deadline.
  9. Students commence their co-operative education placement.
  10. Successful students must notify WIL Manager once they have secured a co-operative education placement.
  11. Students decide on the topic for their business report.
  12. First Academic Mentor visit.
  13. Students begin work on their business report.
  14. Second Academic Mentor visit (for 12 month placements only).
  15. Students submit completed business report to WIL Manager by deadline.
  16. Co-operative education placement ends.
  17. Employer provides feedback to student.
  18. Students reflect on co-operative experience
  19. Students return to University to begin the fourth and final year of their degree.
  20. Experiences from the co-op year are specifically integrated into the final academic year

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integrating work and learning