Co-op students at Vancouver Island University and North Island College will benefit from $75,000 in one-time funding, part of a $1.3-million announcement to 16 public post-secondary institutions following the launch of Co-op Week celebrations today.

The funding will provide outreach to leverage more employers to the program and increase awareness of the benefits of co-op placements to potential employers and students. An additional $100,000 will be provided to ACE, the Association for Co-operative Education, a non-profit organization that works with post-secondary institutions in British Columbia that offer co-operative education programs.

Programming in co-op education combines academic studies with paid work experience in career-related fields. Co-op students have opportunities to apply their learning, gain employment-related skills, and make connections with employers, better preparing them for entry into the workforce.

Employers benefit from the energy, fresh ideas, knowledge and skills of co-op students. Co-op placements also provide employers with an opportunity to assess new talent for future recruitment after graduation.

Government support for co-operative education aligns with commitments in the BC Jobs Plan, #BCTech Strategy and B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint. Co-op programs are offered across many program areas, including programs leading to the range of occupations needed in the technology sector.

B.C. Co-op Week runs March 14-18, 2016.

Quotes:

Michelle Stilwell, MLA for Parksville-Qualicum –

“Co-op programming provides students with a great opportunity to apply learning while attaining much needed skills in the workplace. The $75,000 for Vancouver Island University will provide the opportunity to build on the success of co-op and promote the benefits to local businesses. It’s a win-win for the community.”

Don McRae, MLA for Comox Valley –

“The benefits for co-op are far reaching in any community. Students and local businesses at North Island College will benefit from the hands-on learning with many students staying on as future employees.”

John Bowman, president, North Island College –

“Students in North Island College’s 34 co-op and work experience programs graduate with applied knowledge, industry connections and the confidence to succeed in their chosen careers. Employers tell me they appreciate students’ fresh perspectives and enthusiasm, while their knowledge of today’s best practices makes a real difference to their business.”

Brianna Faucher, tourism student, North Island College –

“My co-op experience at Disney was phenomenal. I would go back in a second. I knew I was going to experience a lot of culture but I didn’t know how profoundly it was going to impact me. It changed the direction of my life.”

Dr. David Witty, Vancouver Island College provost and vice-president academic –

“This funding will ensure VIU’s Co-operative Education program can continue to provide valuable real-world experiences to our students. The co-op experience allows our students to complement their classroom learning, attain valuable work experience and make important connections with our local industry, business and community partners.”

Kaya Peters, culinary arts student, Vancouver Island University –

“I did my co-op at Mission Hill Winery in the Okanagan. I really feel my experience at Mission Hill further sparked and confirmed my passion for the culinary industry, as well as taught me how to relate the skills learned at school to a busy restaurant setting. I learned more about the importance of organization and time management, as well as made many connections in the culinary industry that I feel will help me further my career down the road.”

Quick Facts:

• Between now and 2024, British Columbia expects to have almost one million job openings.
• Approximately 42% of job openings will require college education or apprenticeship training.
• 36% will require university and/or significant work experience.
• 18% will require high school and/or occupation-specific training.

Learn More:

BC Jobs Plan: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/

#BCTech Strategy: https://bctechstrategy.gov.bc.ca/

BC’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: https://www.workbc.ca/Training-Education/B-C-s-Skills-for-Jobs-Blueprint/Learn-about-Blueprint.aspx

Association for Co-operative Education (ACE): http://www.co-op.bc.ca