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• Dillon Consulting Limited named Western Engineering Co-op Employer of the Year

Dillon Consulting Limited named Western Engineering Co-op Employer of the Year

Dillon Consulting Limited (Dillon) is Western Engineering's 2024-25 Co-op Employer of the Year for outstanding contributions to experiential learning. (L to R) Engineering Dean Ken Cooley with Dillon's structural engineer Brandon Lee, team lead Natalie Blancher, recruitment business partner Coby Brittin and Kyle Reid, manager, career services and experiential learning at Western Engineering. (Jacob Arts/Western Engineering)

For more than 20 years, Dillon Consulting Limited (Dillon) has played a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of civil engineers at Western Engineering. That long-standing commitment has now been formally recognized, as Dillon has been named Western Engineering’s Co-op Employer of the Year.

The award celebrates employers who go beyond offering placements—those who actively invest in student growth, mentorship and meaningful work-integrated learning experiences. Dillon’s partnership with Western Engineering exemplifies that standard.

Dillon is a proudly Canadian, employee-owned professional consulting firm specializing in planning, engineering, environmental science and management.

Each year, Dillon welcomes Western Engineering students into summer and long-term co-op roles, offering hands-on experience across a wide range of civil engineering projects. Students work on highway, freeway, urban and rural road design as well as roundabouts, intersections and interchanges. They also gain experience with bridges, culverts and retaining walls for new and existing structures, along with contract package preparation and construction administration and observation—experiences that reflect the realities of professional engineering practice.

“From day one, students are treated like valued members of our team,” said Coby Brittin, a representative from Dillon. “We believe the best way to support emerging engineers is to trust them with real responsibility, surround them with strong mentors and give them the space to learn through experience.”

During the 2024–2025 academic year alone, Dillon hired three Western Engineering co-op students across summer and long-term placements. Beyond recruitment, the firm has deepened its relationship with the faculty through annual scholarships with full-time employment placements and sustained involvement in Western’s Transportation Career Development Program. Dillon also made itself available on short notice to support the program and has remained committed ever since.

“Our partnership with Western Engineering is built on shared values,” Brittin added. “We’re aligned in our belief that experiential learning is critical to preparing students for the profession and we’re proud to contribute to that journey.”

The impact of that commitment is reflected strongly in student feedback. One co-op student noted that their experience at Dillon helped clarify their career path.

“This co-op experience exposed me to the roles and responsibilities of a Civil Engineer in consulting,” the student shared. “It helped me realize that I’d like to continue my career along this path, especially because of the flexibility and variety of projects.”

Others highlighted the firm’s supportive culture and collaborative approach.

“They did not micromanage. They trusted me even though I was very new, worked as a team rather than individually and listened to anyone who had something to say,” another student said.

Students also emphasized the value of longer placements.

“Doing a full-year co-op allowed me to get more exposure to projects,” one student noted, pointing to the guidance and mentorship provided by engineers and engineers-in-training who were always willing to answer questions.

For Western Engineering, Dillon’s recognition as Co-op Employer of the Year highlights the importance of strong industry partnerships in delivering transformative learning experiences.

As Brittin reflected, “Watching students grow in confidence, skill and professionalism over the course of a co-op is incredibly rewarding. It’s not just about what they contribute to our projects—it’s about helping shape the future of the profession.”