Employers

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Student Recruitment at Western Engineering

With over 13,000 alumni across Canada and well-established co-op programs, employers have a variety of recruitment options through Western Engineering. Our Career Services team is happy to assist you in growing your organization with extraordinary talent.

For any employer related inquiries, please contact Western Engineering Career Services, wecareer@uwo.ca.

 

Engineering Co-op Programs

Eligible students in the Bachelor of Engineering Science degree and Master of Engineering (MEng) program may participate in co-op opportunities!

Bachelor of Engineering Science students have the option to participate in 4-month summer co-ops after any year of their degree program, and in a long-term co-op (8-16 months) immediately prior to their final year. Master of Engineering (MEng) students may be eligible to complete a 4-month co-op beginning in January, May, or September. All Western Engineering students are looking forward to having the opportunity of working collaboratively with you, our industry partners!

Student Recruitment Options

Job Postings

To recruit at Western Engineering, you are invited to post a position for co-op, new graduate, full-time experienced, etc. for our students to view and apply to on our Western Connect job board.

Please follow the steps below:

  1. Visit Western Connect
  2. Click on "Register for an Account"
  3. Complete the "New Account Registration"
  4. Click "Submit Registration" at the bottom of the page

Once a profile has been created, you can begin posting current job opportunities by clicking the "Post a Job" button.

Post a co-op opportunity by selecting "Internship/Co-op Postings” from the pop-up window.  Once in the co-op job posting form, you may then select from the list of internship/co-op programs.  For Engineering students these include Engineering Summer Co-op, Engineering Long-Term Co-op, or Master of Engineering (MEng) Co-op.

Post a full-time, new graduate, summer, etc. opportunity by selecting “Job Posting Form” from the pop-up window.  You can then select from various job types in the form.

When posting a job description, the following information should be indicated:

  • A brief description of the company, products or services offered, and any other important background information
  • A detailed description of the role including key duties and responsibilities
  • Desired degree program, skills, or other assets being sought
  • Job location
  • Approximate start date and duration
  • Expected weekly hours of work
  • Any additional information necessary for the student to know (e.g., driver's license/vehicle requirement, willingness to travel, etc.)
  • Application method – Select from "Through Connect" (we collect and send you bundle after deadline)*, "employer website", or "employer email"
    • *Through Connect method is only available for co-op postings
  • Application deadline
  • Application documents required – Select from resume, cover letters, grades, etc.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Engineering Career Services at 519-661-2111 ext. 88359, or wecareer@uwo.ca.

Information Sessions

Book Your Session

We are now offering in-person and virtual information sessions.

Please click here for more information on how to organize your information session at Western University.

Why Host an Information Session?

Hosting an information session allows you to promote your paid employment opportunities (work integrated learning and new graduate), and easily identify potential candidates for current and future hiring.

Hosting your own event or information session? Please email wecareer@uwo.ca with the details of your event, and we’d be happy to promote across Western Engineering students.

Campus Career Fair

hirewesternu Career Fair 2023

 

Wednesday, October 11 & Thursday, October 12, 2023

10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Mustang Lounge, University Community Centre

Join us for Western’s hirewesternu Fall Career Fair! We're excited to welcome you back to campus to engage with student and alumni talent from our 12 faculties and over 200 programs.

At this fair you can promote new graduate, work integrated learning (internship, co-op, practicum), summer, and part-time opportunities.

 

For more information and registration details, please visit our Career Fair website.

 

If you have questions, please contact Shanice Narain: snarain6@uwo.ca

On-campus Interview Rooms

Interview Talent On-Campus at Western

Meet with your top candidates in our dedicated on-campus interview suite at Western. Our interview rooms are comfortable, private and free-to-use for employers who post on Western Connect. In addition, we are centrally located on-campus, making use of our facilities convenient for both you and students. We also provide parking, and a quiet space to debrief in our recruiter lounge.

Conditions of Use

  • Interviews will be for opportunities posted on Connect, and candidates will be Western students and/or alumni
  • Recruiters who have reserved a room but arranged their own schedule will e-mail a copy of the schedule to interviews@uwo.ca at least 1 business day in advance
  • Recruiters will inform us at least 1 business day in advance to cancel a room reservation.

Virtual or Telephone Interviews

For assistance with arranging virtual or telephone interviews, please email: interviews@uwo.ca or call 519-661-3559.

Questions?

Email interviews@uwo.ca or call 519-661-3559

Engineering Undergraduate Co-op Program

Engineering Summer Co-op Program

What is Summer Co-op?

The Summer Co-op Program is designed to assist employers to find quality candidates for the summer months. The duration of the co-op is four months – from May to August. Participating students have completed at least one year of full-time studies and will be returning to Western Engineering (full-time) immediately following their co-op.

Participating Engineering students are enrolled in one of the following programs:

Benefits

There are many benefits to hiring a summer co-op student:

  • Pro-active recruitment: You can assess the potential of future graduates
  • Employer of choice: Your company will establish a presence and image our co-op students will share with their classmates when they return to school
  • Potential re-hires: You can save recruitment costs by rehiring for future summer positions or co-op placements within your organization
  • Reduce costs: Co-op placements may be created to complete short-term work assignments, special projects, and research 

For maximum benefit of employers and co-op students, it is recommended that co-op work terms have the following components:

  • Relevant, degree-related projects
  • Supervision and mentorship
  • Orientation and job training
  • Health and safety training
  • Outline learning objectives
  • Provide student evaluations

Co-op Tax Credit

To help offset the cost to employers when hiring co-op students, the Ontario government provides a refundable tax credit for hiring students enrolled in a recognized post-secondary co-operative education program.

The eligible employer's total tax credit for the taxation year is equal to the sum of the tax credits for each qualifying co-op work placement. Co-op employers will be sent a tax receipt once the student has completed their co-op work term.

How do I claim the tax credit?

Eligible employers will claim the tax credit on their Ontario income tax returns. Corporations will claim the tax credit on the CT-23 or CT-8 return. Employers operating unincorporated businesses will claim the tax credit on the Ontario Tax Credits for T-1C(ONT) included in their personal income tax return. The tax credit will be available to businesses in the taxation year in which the qualifying co-op placement ends.

Who is an eligible employer for the purposes of this tax credit?

An eligible employer includes all Ontario corporations or unincorporated businesses with permanent establishments in Ontario, subject to Ontario corporate income tax, or Ontario personal income tax.

What students are eligible for the purposes of this tax credit?

Any student who is participating in the Engineering Long-Term Co-op Program or Summer Co-op Program in Ontario meets the requirements. If you have questions about a student’s eligibility, please contact Engineering Career Services.

For more information about the tax credit, please visit the Ontario government website.

Employer Responsibilities

Western is a member of CACEE (Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers) and CEWIL (Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada).

Students are employed in settings that provide work experience directly related to their academic program and career objectives. Co-ops have come to be highly valued by both employers and students. Organizations have an excellent opportunity to evaluate potential full-time employees during 4 month work term. Students have the opportunity to combine their academic knowledge with corporate work experience, while learning new skills.

Guidelines for hiring a co-op student:

It is expected that an employer will:

  • Post job opportunities and arrange interviews through Engineering Career Services;
  • Extend all job offers through Engineering Career Services;
  • Confirm acceptance of job offers and terms of employment in writing to students and to the institution;
  • Provide a job that relates to the position posted;
  • Honour all offers of employment;
  • Provide relevant, degree-related projects
  • Provide accurate and complete information on job responsibilities, compensation and benefits;
  • Provide the student with a thorough orientation to job and company;
  • Provide supervision and mentorship;
  • Assign a mentor or advisor to assist the student to identify goals and clarify role and responsibilities;
  • Treat the student as an employee;
  • Provide the student with relevant training and development opportunities;
  • Monitor student's progress, and provide formal/informal feedback on a timely basis to both the student and to the institution.

Offer relevant, degree-related projects

A co-op placement should offer the student relevant, degree-related experience over the course of the work term. Students should feel challenged and be able to reference and utilize their academic training during the performance of their job. The work environment should provide initiative and encouragement. The student should be given autonomy to work on projects, and to report back to the project supervisor. Students should be encouraged to provide input and recommendations.

Supervision and mentorship

For many students, a co-op placement is their first degree-related job. For students to remain motivated and productive, feedback on their performance is important. This is especially critical if their work habits need modifying in order to achieve success. We encourage employers to provide this feedback regularly, and to be available to answer questions and provide guidance, especially in the earliest part of the work term.

Orientation and training

For many students, starting a co-op work term can be intimidating, regardless of their level of experience. It is recommended that your company take students through an orientation process that will provide them with an opportunity to learn about your organization (perhaps a tour), become more familiar with their own work location, and meet their supervisors. A social activity for all new co-op hires can put students in touch with each other and provide networking opportunities.

Most students have limited work experience; therefore, adequate training will ensure that co-op students develop the necessary skills and knowledge to fulfill the expectations of their role. While initial training is usually provided, subsequent education is often required ensuring that the co-op students are working to their potential. In many cases, the outgoing co-op student will be required to train the incoming co-op student.

Health and safety training

You, as the employer, are responsible for ensuring all co-op students have received and understand the employer’s health and safety policies and procedures, including those policies and procedures applicable to workplace violence and harassment.  In addition, appropriate health and safety training must be provided to all co-op students at the commencement of the co-op work term.

Outline learning objectives

A co-op transitions learning from the classroom to learning on the job. Learning objectives will balance the needs of the co-op student to develop skills, with the organization’s productivity needs, while serving to improve the student’s competence to perform to the company’s expectations. Learning objectives not only outline the schedule of job activities and expectations for the co-op students, but address what should be learned through these activities. It is important that the work assigned to students be relevant to their academic background and level of education. Learning objectives are a tool to measure the performance of a co-op student during the evaluation process.

Steps for developing learning outcomes:

  • Identify learning needs with respect to a particular set of competencies
  • Outline the learning objectives – describe what the student is expected to learn, not what they are expected to do, and provide a timeframe for meeting these expectations
  • Identify learning resources and strategies (e.g., manuals, internet, company training sessions, colleagues, etc.)
  • Indicate how accomplishment is measured and provide evidence that the competency has been reached

Evaluation Form

Final Evaluation - Provide a final evaluation at the end of the work term. It is important not only to give feedback to the student, but also assess improvements in performance and success in meeting objectives. The learning objectives should once again be reviewed, and both the supervisor and student should provide input. All students are required to submit their final evaluations to their faculty coordinator.

Salary Statistics

  • First-year: $16 to $18/hour
  • Second-year: $17 to $20/hour
  • Third-year: $19 to $22/hour
  • Fourth-year: $21 to $26/hour

Student Qualifications

Minimum qualifications required for Engineering students to enroll:

  • In good academic standing in the Faculty of Engineering
  • No scholastic/academic offenses
  • Full-time undergraduate Engineering students who have completed at least one year of full-time studies
  • Returning to Western Engineering (full-time) immediately following their co-op

Recruitment Schedule

Western Engineering's Summer Co-op program offers employers complete flexibility regarding recruitment timelines and activities. Job postings, interviews, and offers are done without date restrictions.

Postings: Postings will be accepted until May 31, 2024 on Western Connect.  All posted opportunities must meet the minimum duration requirement of 12 weeks.

Interviews: We'll help you coordinate interviews in our on-campus interview rooms, via Skype, or at your company location. Simply email the Engineering Career Services Office, wecareer@uwo.ca, for assistance.

Offers: We will present employment offers right away to students, with a 48 hour response time.

Engineering Long-Term Co-op Program

What is Long-Term Co-op?

The goal of the Long-Term Co-op Program is to provide students with an opportunity to work at a professional level for a longer term than is provided through summer work projects. Students thereby receive a richer learning experience as a member of an engineering team while providing real value to the company. Participating students are currently enrolled full-time in their 2nd last year of their degree program and will be returning to Western Engineering (full-time) immediately following their co-op for their final year of study.

The Long-Term Co-op Program offers placement durations of up to 16 months, providing continuity and stability to your major projects. Many employers feel that this is an effective means of evaluating potential future employees before making long term hiring commitments.

Participating Engineering students are enrolled in one of the following programs:

Benefits

Employers see the benefits of hiring and training students with several years of academic education to take on major projects and responsibilities. Long-term co-op students contribute to the successful completion of projects and assignments.

Employers are provided the opportunity to train and work with the co-op student, evaluating the potential that this student may have to offer your company as a full-time employee after graduation. Both students and employers may find that there is a good match of interests leading to a full-time job offer after graduation.

Long-term co-op students are regarded as regular employees taking on responsibilities far beyond the typical duties assigned to 4-month co-op or summer students.

Additional benefits to hiring a long-term co-op student include the following:

  • Pro-active recruitment: You can assess the potential of future graduates
  • Employer of choice: Your company will establish a presence and image our co-op students will share with their classmates when they return to school
  • Potential re-hires: You can save recruitment costs by rehiring for future positions within your organization
  • Reduce costs: Co-op placements may be created to complete short-term work assignments, special projects, and research 

For maximum benefit of employers and co-op students, it is recommended that co-op work terms have the following components:

  • Relevant, degree-related projects
  • Supervision and mentorship
  • Orientation and job training
  • Health and safety training
  • Outline learning objectives
  • Provide student evaluations

Co-op Tax Credit

To help offset the cost to employers when hiring co-op students, the Ontario government provides a refundable tax credit for hiring students enrolled in a recognized post-secondary co-operative education program.

The eligible employer's total tax credit for the taxation year is equal to the sum of the tax credits for each qualifying co-op work placement. Co-op employers will be sent a tax receipt once the student has completed their co-op work term.

How do I claim the tax credit?

Eligible employers will claim the tax credit on their Ontario income tax returns. Corporations will claim the tax credit on the CT-23 or CT-8 return. Employers operating unincorporated businesses will claim the tax credit on the Ontario Tax Credits for T-1C(ONT) included in their personal income tax return. The tax credit will be available to businesses in the taxation year in which the qualifying co-op placement ends.

Who is an eligible employer for the purposes of this tax credit?

An eligible employer includes all Ontario corporations or unincorporated businesses with permanent establishments in Ontario, subject to Ontario corporate income tax, or Ontario personal income tax.

What students are eligible for the purposes of this tax credit?

Any student who is participating in the Engineering Long-Term Co-op Program or Summer Co-op Program in Ontario meets the requirements. If you have questions about a student’s eligibility, please contact Engineering Career Services.

For more information about the tax credit, please visit the Ontario government website.

Employer Responsibilities

Western is a member of CACEE (Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers) and CEWIL (Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada).

Students are employed in settings that provide work experience directly related to their academic program and career objectives. Co-ops have come to be highly valued by both employers and students. Organizations have an excellent opportunity to evaluate potential full-time employees during a long-term co-op placement. Students have the opportunity to combine their academic knowledge with corporate work experience, while learning new skills.

Guidelines for hiring a co-op student:

It is expected that an employer will:

  • Post job opportunities and arrange interviews through Engineering Career Services;
  • Extend all job offers through Engineering Career Services;
  • Confirm acceptance of job offers and terms of employment in writing to students and to the institution;
  • Provide a job that relates to the position posted;
  • Honour all offers of employment;
  • Provide relevant, degree-related projects
  • Provide accurate and complete information on job responsibilities, compensation and benefits;
  • Provide the student with a thorough orientation to job and company;
  • Provide supervision and mentorship;
  • Assign a mentor or advisor to assist the student to identify goals and clarify role and responsibilities;
  • Treat the student as an employee;
  • Provide the student with relevant training and development opportunities;
  • Monitor student's progress, and provide formal/informal feedback on a timely basis to both the student and to the institution.

Offer relevant, degree-related projects

A co-op placement should offer the student relevant, degree-related experience over the course of the work term. Students should feel challenged and be able to reference and utilize their academic training during the performance of their job. The work environment should provide initiative and encouragement. The student should be given autonomy to work on projects, and to report back to the project supervisor. Students should be encouraged to provide input and recommendations.

Supervision and mentorship

For many students, a co-op placement is their first degree-related job. For students to remain motivated and productive, feedback on their performance is important. This is especially critical if their work habits need modifying in order to achieve success. We encourage employers to provide this feedback regularly, and to be available to answer questions and provide guidance, especially in the earliest part of the work term.

Orientation and training

The advantage of a longer-term co-op is that students can assume responsibilities beyond the duties typically assigned to a four-month co-op position. Long-term co-op students have the opportunity for adequate training, and time to become a productive member of the team.

For many students, starting a co-op work term can be intimidating, regardless of their level of experience. It is recommended that your company take students through an orientation process that will provide them with an opportunity to learn about your organization (perhaps a tour), become more familiar with their own work location, and meet their supervisors. A social activity for all new co-op hires can put students in touch with each other and provide networking opportunities.

Most students have limited work experience; therefore, adequate training will ensure that co-op students develop the necessary skills and knowledge to fulfill the expectations of their role. While initial training is usually provided, subsequent education is often required ensuring that the co-op students are working to their potential. In many cases, the outgoing co-op student will be required to train the incoming co-op student.

Health and safety training

You, as the employer, are responsible for ensuring all co-op students have received and understand the employer’s health and safety policies and procedures, including those policies and procedures applicable to workplace violence and harassment.  In addition, appropriate health and safety training must be provided to all co-op students at the commencement of the co-op work term.

Outline learning objectives

A co-op transitions learning from the classroom to learning on the job. Learning objectives will balance the needs of the co-op student to develop skills, with the organization’s productivity needs, while serving to improve the student’s competence to perform to the company’s expectations. Learning objectives not only outline the schedule of job activities and expectations for the co-op students, but address what should be learned through these activities. It is important that the work assigned to students be relevant to their academic background and level of education (usually third year students). Learning objectives are a tool to measure the performance of a co-op student during the evaluation process.

Steps for developing learning outcomes:

  • Identify learning needs with respect to a particular set of competencies
  • Outline the learning objectives – describe what the student is expected to learn, not what they are expected to do, and provide a time-frame for meeting these expectations
  • Identify learning resources and strategies (e.g., manuals, internet, company training sessions, colleagues, etc.)
  • Indicate how accomplishment is measured and provide evidence that the competency has been reached

Evaluation Form

Interim Evaluation - Provide co-op students with an initial written evaluation (usually after three months), taking into consideration their level of experience and time on the job. To prepare for the evaluation, both the supervisor and the student should review the learning objectives. Both parties can then meet to develop an official evaluation. An evaluation form is available from Engineering Career Services or you are welcome to use your own company evaluation form. It is important that both the supervisor and student have input into the evaluation. Co-op students are required to submit their interim evaluation to their faculty coordinator.

Final Evaluation - Provide a final evaluation at the end of the work term. It is important not only to give feedback to the student, but also assess improvements in performance and success in meeting objectives. The learning objectives should once again be reviewed, and both the supervisor and student should provide input. All students are required to submit their final evaluations to their faculty coordinator.

Salary Statistics

ENGINEERING  AVERAGE
Chemical / Biochemical $54,127
High: $71,240 / Low: $39,520
Civil / Environmental $44,375
High: $70,720 / Low: $33,888
Computer / Software $49,861
High: $68,649 / Low: $34,800
Electrical $52,928
High: $67,246 / Low: $41,600
Mechanical / Mechatronic Systems / Integrated $49,264
High: $85,000 / Low: $35,000

Student Qualifications

Minimum qualifications required for Engineering students to enroll:

  • In good academic standing in the Faculty of Engineering
  • No scholastic/academic offenses
  • Full-time undergraduate Engineering students currently enrolled in their 2nd last year of their degree program
  • Returning to Western Engineering (full-time) immediately following their co-op

Recruitment Schedule

  • 2023-24 student cohort have flexibility to start between May and September 2024
  • Work terms run for up to 16 month durations (must return to full-time studies in September 2024)
  • Continuous recruitment cycle (no prescribed offer or rank-match date)

The following dates are recommendations for ensuring a positive and successful recruitment experience. If you have required dates that fall outside of these recommendations, please let us know (wecareer@uwo.ca) and we would be happy to discuss.

Date

Activity

Notes

September 29, 2023

Job Postings go live to students

Post opportunities on our student job board Western Connect or by emailing wecareer@uwo.ca

October 15, 2023

Earliest possible application deadline

 

October 16, 2023 – August 16, 2024

Continuous Interview, Offer, & Acceptance Period

Interviews can be arranged by filling out the Interview Request Form.

Job offers to be submitted through Western’s Job Offer Form (students are given 2 business days to consider offers).

Notable dates:

Fall Reading Week: Oct 30 – Nov 5, 2023

Fall Exams and Holiday Closure: Dec 10, 2023 - Jan 7, 2024

Winter Reading Week: Feb 17 – 25, 2024

Winter Term Final Exams: April 11 – 30, 2024

August 9, 2024

Final application deadline for 2023-24 recruitment cycle

 

 

Engineering Graduate Co-op Program

Master of Engineering (M.Eng) Co-op Program

What is M.Eng Co-op?

The M.Eng program is structured to assist qualified engineers in the advancement of their professional careers and to provide students with the skills necessary to address key technological challenges.  All students in the M.Eng program have a bachelor’s degree in engineering or other related discipline from an accredited university in Canada or elsewhere.  This professional, course-based program provides an opportunity for qualified engineers to improve their theoretical and practical skills.

The M.Eng Co-op Program provides students the opportunity to work in a professional setting to advance their practical experience relevant to their academic field. 

Students in this program are available to complete a 4-month work term beginning in September and a 4-month or 8-month work term beginning of January. 

Participating M.Eng programs include:

  • Chemical and Biochemical Engineering (CBE) MEng Program
    • Biomaterials and Biochemical Engineering
    • Environmental and Green Engineering
    • Food Processing
    • Particle Technology and Fluidization
    • Process Control and Safety
    • Reactor and Process Systems Engineering
  • Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) MEng Program
    • Environmental and Water Resources Engineering
    • Wind Engineering and Environmental Fluid Mechanics
    • Structural and Infrastructure Engineering
    • Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
    • Natural Disasters Mitigation
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) MEng Program
    • Communication Systems Engineering
    • Power Systems Engineering
    • Robotics and Control
    • Software Engineering
  • Mechanical and Materials Engineering (MME) MEng Program
    • Automation Technologies and Systems
    • Composite Materials
    • Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
    • Materials and Solid Mechanics
    • Mechanical Engineering
    • Thermofluids

Benefits

The M.Eng Co-op Program benefits employers by providing access to engineering talent with advanced education and experience.  Students in the M.Eng program study complex subjects in a diverse variety of fields, and many students in the program have practical experience gained through previous engineering employment. The combination of advanced education and practical experience makes these students uniquely qualified to help tackle some of the most technically challenging projects within organizations.   

Additional benefits to hiring a long-term co-op student include the following:

  • Pro-active recruitment: You can assess the potential of future graduates
  • Employer of choice: Your company will establish a presence and image our co-op students will share with their classmates when they return to school
  • Potential re-hires: You can save recruitment costs by rehiring for future positions within your organization
  • Reduce costs: Co-op placements may be created to complete short-term work assignments, special projects, and research 

Recruitment Schedule

The M.Eng Co-op program offers employers complete flexibility regarding recruitment timelines and activities. Job postings, interviews, and offers are done without date restrictions.

Postings: Postings will be accepted on Western Connect for September or January start opportunities up until three weeks prior to the proposed start date. All posted opportunities must meet the minimum duration requirement of 12 weeks.

Interviews: We'll help you coordinate interviews in our on-campus interview rooms, via Zoom, or at your company location. Simply email the Engineering Career Services Office, wecareer@uwo.ca, for assistance.

Offers: We will present employment offers right away to students, with a 48-hour response time.

Co-op Tax Credit

To help offset the cost to employers when hiring co-op students, the Ontario government provides a refundable tax credit for hiring students enrolled in a recognized post-secondary co-operative education program.

The eligible employer's total tax credit for the taxation year is equal to the sum of the tax credits for each qualifying co-op work placement. Co-op employers will be sent a tax receipt once the student has completed their co-op work term.

How do I claim the tax credit?

Eligible employers will claim the tax credit on their Ontario income tax returns. Corporations will claim the tax credit on the CT-23 or CT-8 return. Employers operating unincorporated businesses will claim the tax credit on the Ontario Tax Credits for T-1C(ONT) included in their personal income tax return. The tax credit will be available to businesses in the taxation year in which the qualifying co-op placement ends.

Who is an eligible employer for the purposes of this tax credit?

An eligible employer includes all Ontario corporations or unincorporated businesses with permanent establishments in Ontario, subject to Ontario corporate income tax, or Ontario personal income tax.

What students are eligible for the purposes of this tax credit?

Any student who is participating in the Engineering Long-Term Co-op Program or Summer Co-op Program in Ontario meets the requirements. If you have questions about a student’s eligibility, please contact Engineering Career Services.

For more information about the tax credit, please visit the Ontario government website.

Employer Responsibilities

Western is a member of CACEE (Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers) and CEWIL (Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada).

Students are employed in settings that provide work experience directly related to their academic program and career objectives. Co-ops have come to be highly valued by both employers and students. Organizations have an excellent opportunity to evaluate potential full-time employees during a 4-month work term, while students are able to combine their academic knowledge with professional work experience.

Guidelines for hiring a co-op student:

It is expected that an employer will:

  • Work with Engineering Career Services throughout the recruitment process, including providing updates on any interviews set and offers made to the appropriate Western contact
  • Confirm acceptance of job offers and terms of employment in writing to students and to the institution
  • Provide a job that relates to the position posted
  • Honor all offers of employment
  • Provide relevant, degree-related projects
  • Provide accurate and complete information on job responsibilities, compensation, and benefits
  • Provide the student with a thorough orientation to job and company
  • Provide supervision and mentorship
  • Assign a mentor or advisor to assist the student to identify goals and clarify role and responsibilities
  • Treat the student as an employee
  • Provide the student with relevant training and development opportunities
  • Monitor the student's progress and provide formal/informal feedback on a timely basis to both the student and to the institution.

Offer relevant, degree-related projects

A co-op placement should offer the student relevant, degree-related experience over the course of the work term. Students should feel challenged and be able to reference and utilize their academic training during the performance of their job. The work environment should provide initiative and encouragement. The student should be given autonomy to work on projects, and to report back to the project supervisor. Students should be encouraged to provide input and recommendations.

Supervision and mentorship

For students to remain motivated and productive, feedback on their performance is important. This is especially critical if their work habits need modifying in order to achieve success. We encourage employers to provide this feedback regularly, and to be available to answer questions and provide guidance, especially in the earliest part of the work term.

Orientation and training

For many students, starting a co-op work term can be intimidating, regardless of their level of experience. It is recommended that your company take students through an orientation process that will provide them with an opportunity to learn about your organization (perhaps a tour), become more familiar with their own work location, and meet their supervisors. A social activity for all new co-op hires can put students in touch with each other and provide networking opportunities.

Most students have limited work experience; therefore, adequate training will ensure that co-op students develop the necessary skills and knowledge to fulfill the expectations of their role. While initial training is usually provided, subsequent education is often required ensuring that the co-op students are working to their potential. In many cases, the outgoing co-op student will be required to train the incoming co-op student.

Health and safety training

You, as the employer, are responsible for ensuring all co-op students have received and understand the employer’s health and safety policies and procedures, including those policies and procedures applicable to workplace violence and harassment.  In addition, appropriate health and safety training must be provided to all co-op students at the commencement of the co-op work term.

Outline learning objectives

A co-op transitions learning from the classroom to learning on the job. Learning objectives will balance the needs of the co-op student to develop skills, with the organization’s productivity needs, while serving to improve the student’s competence to perform to the company’s expectations. Learning objectives not only outline the schedule of job activities and expectations for the co-op students, but address what should be learned through these activities. It is important that the work assigned to students be relevant to their academic background and level of education. Learning objectives are a tool to measure the performance of a co-op student during the evaluation process.

Steps for developing learning outcomes:

  • Identify learning needs with respect to a particular set of competencies
  • Outline the learning objectives – describe what the student is expected to learn, not what they are expected to do, and provide a timeframe for meeting these expectations
  • Identify learning resources and strategies (e.g., manuals, internet, company training sessions, colleagues, etc.)

Indicate how accomplishment is measured and provide evidence that the competency has been reached

Salary Statistics

Common averages for similar co-op opportunities range from $19 - $35/hour. Various factors come into play, such as the student's work experience and the company's financial budget. It is essential to consider the student's advanced level of education, as they hold a master's degree with specialized expertise.

Evaluation Form

Final Evaluation - Provide a final evaluation at the end of the work term. It is important not only to give feedback to the student, but also assess improvements in performance and success in meeting objectives. The learning objectives should once again be reviewed, and both the supervisor and student should provide input. All students are required to submit their final evaluations to their faculty coordinator.