Frequently Asked Questions for Employers

 

What is an appropriate salary for a co-op student?

The co-op salary, generally speaking, is approximately 75% of a graduate salary and moves with the graduate market. Co-op students are generally paid in the range $25,000 - $40,000, depending on the sector of the industry and level of the position.

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Can students study any other courses while on placement?

At the discretion of the Program Co-ordinator where a student is in their co-operative year and wishes to enrol in a course in order to “catch up” their program, permission to overload can be given. It is preferred that this additional course is not undertaken during the co-operative period unless the Employer gives written consent.

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What are my obligations to a co-op student who is not meeting expectations?

Students become your employee during the co-op year and are therefore bound by the standard work/performance arrangements as other employees. Employers should be aware that if any difficulties arise, the School can be contacted for support, if appropriate.

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What if we have concerns about a students’ work performance?

While students are employees of your organisation and bound by your standard or contracted employment and performance conditions, they are also fully enrolled students and their behaviour at the workplace has academic implications. Students receiving negative feedback in relation to contract arrangements, job performance or attitude may be brought before a progress panel. Decisions on how to proceed would be at the School’s discretion and based on the outcome of this process. Students who fail to submit a satisfactory business report or fail to work the agreed length of employment, may receive a fail result and be required to undertake a professional skills program before proceeding into final year.

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What if a student fails to meet the assessment criteria for the co-op program?

Co-op is an academic requirement of the degree and must be successfully completed before students can proceed with their studies. Assessment includes a business report, full time employment for a specified period and appropriate workplace performance. Failure to meet any of the assessment criteria has consequences for the student’s academic progress. Students who fail co-op are generally required to participate in a Portfolio run Professional Skills Program before continuing with their studies. Students receiving negative feedback in relation to contract arrangements, job performance or attitude may be brought before an academic progress panel.

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What if I want my co-op student to continue working after the placement period ends?

A significant number of students are obtaining graduate employment as a result of their co-op experience. Once students complete their program requirement in relation to co-op, employers can negotiate any future arrangements directly with students.

Some students continue full time with their co-op employer and apply to complete their degree on a part time basis. Others may work part time while completing their studies, while others still, return to full time study with the promise of graduate work after completing final year.

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