Work‑Integrated Learning & Co‑operative Education

Partnership Responsibilities of Work‑Integrated Learning & Co‑operative Education

Work-Integrated Learning & Co-operative education (WIL Co-op) programs require students, employers, and the University to work together to enrich learning in the classroom and the workplace. Upon joining one of our WIL Co-op programs, as a student you must acknowledge and accept your responsibility towards the Co-operative Education Program, employers and other students.

Student responsibilities

Academic Responsibilities

  • Adhere to relevant WIL Co-op program requirements.
  • Maintain the required grade point average and good academic standing within the university throughout your program.
  • Complete the designated number of work terms outlined by your program. (For co-op this must be met to acquire the co-op designation).
  • Complete the academic requirements of your degree as a full-time student.

Prior to a work term

  • Complete and pass the WIL Co-op Orientation Course associated with your program.
  • Register your work term through Dal Online.
  • Obtain valid work permits, insurance and any other required documentation.
  • Pay the co-op fee for each work term.
  • Actively participate in the co-op job search process: Attend workshops and meet your assigned Student Development Coordinator for learning, tips, and coaching related to being successful in job competition.
  • Check myCareer and Dalhousie email daily for updates on job postings, application deadlines, interview invitations, job offers, and other important information.
  • Honour the acceptance of WIL employment as a contractual agreement with the employer.

During a work term

  • Complete and pass the work term course associated with your program.
  • Act as an ambassador of Dalhousie University and the WIL Co-op Office by striving to be a productive, motivated and responsible employee.
  • Accept responsibility for all moving and living costs associated with the work term unless provided by the employer.
  • Respect employer policies and confidentiality.
  • Adhere to co-op guidelines and procedures outlined in your Student Agreement, your work term course and this Student Handbook.
  • Check myCareer account and Dalhousie email daily for updates on assignment deadlines, worksite check-in meeting invitations, and other important information.

Upon returning to school

  • Submit a Work Term Report in addition to all other required assignments for their program before the deadline
  • Check myCareer and Dalhousie email daily for updates on job postings, application deadlines, interview invitations, job offers, and other important information.

Employer responsibilities

Work Integrated Learning and Co-operative Education at Dalhousie is first and foremost an academic endeavour, integrating work experience into a student’s study program. WIL Co-op employers participate as partners and co-educators, which is demonstrated through active involvement in the student’s work term experience. The relationship between the WIL Co-op programs and the employer is guided by, but not limited to, the responsibilities recommended by Co-operative Education & Work Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada.

Role of the WIL Co-op Employer

  • Serve as supervisor and co-educator through active involvement in the student’s work term learning experience and by providing challenging career-oriented work.
  • Provide and pay a fair, competitive wage (see Salary information listed on each program page)
  • Set goals and objectives for the work term with the student and conduct periodic performance evaluation interviews to discuss the student's progress.
  • Provide regular direction and feedback to ensure that there is mutual understanding of expectations.
  • Treat students as you would other employees in matters of rules, regulations and discipline.
  • Liaise with the WIL Co-op office if support is required regarding an issue with the work term (i.e. attendance, quality of work, etc.)

Refer to our Supervisor Tip Sheet for a list of responsibilities, with links to resources, to help facilitate a successful work term for students and supervisors.

Recruitment / Before the Work Term

Job Postings
Provide the WIL Co-op office with a detailed job description and appropriate content for the co-op student’s program of study in the faculties of Architecture and Planning, Engineering, Computer Science, Science and Sustainability. Job postings will be screened by the Co-op Office to ensure alignment with program educational objectives.

Interviews

Interview qualified applicants either on campus, at your site or virtually.

Offers

Formally communicate offers of employment through the WIL Co-op office, specifying the terms of employment including the student’s salary, vacation pay, employment status, relocation (if applicable) and start and end dates. Students must be hired as employees of the organization (not as contractors/consultants).

Work terms

Provide a work term that consists of a four-month period, at least 14 weeks in duration, with a minimum of 35 hours per week (or equivalent) as determined by the university. A work term needs to fall within the academic term, i.e.. September to December, January to April, May to August.  A student’s contract may cover more than one term depending on their program.
See also: How to hire a co-op student

At the beginning of the work term

Orientation to the workplace

  • Integrate co-op students into their new role.
  • Review organizational structure, objectives and reporting relationships.
  • Provide a tour of the facility and introduce the student to staff.
  • Conduct requisite safety, OHS and environmental briefings as required.
  • Set expectations by reviewing job duties, responsibilities, and specific tasks.
  • Review and support the student's learning objectives.

Goals for the work term

Set expectations by reviewing job duties, responsibilities and assigned tasks. Discussing goals and objectives during orientation sets the tone for the work term and clarifies expectations and learning opportunities. Setting work and learning goals allows the student to know what is expected on the job, and the employer to understand the student's career interests and expected learning outcomes.

Equipment and resources

  • Provide an adequate workstation, access to necessary supplies and equipment, and any necessary training for the operation of equipment.
  • Discuss emergency, fire and safety protocol and safe operation procedures.
  • Enable access to information services including email, internet, data systems, etc.

Workplace policies and support

  • Establish and confirm understanding of organizational policies (e.g. Equity Diversity Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) core working hours, dress code, sick days, use of social media at work).
  • Discuss learning and communication styles, approaches, and how you might work best in your Supervisor- Co-op Student relationship.
  • Discuss salary and benefits as well as overtime and time off.
  • Identify and address potential issues surrounding proprietary information or confidentiality.
  • Address the use of corporate assets including vehicles, cell phones, internet, etc.

 

During the work term

Worksite monitoring

For students on their first work term, near the middle of the work term, the WIL Co-op office arranges a worksite visit with both the employer and the student to be conducted in-person or virtually. The visit allows the WIL Co-op office to assess the kinds and quality of learning, enable the student and employer to reflect on their progress and gather employer feedback on the student's performance and the program. Experienced students have the option of completing an online reflection exercise in lieu of a worksite visit; in this case, supervisors are required to complete a brief online survey. An in-person or virtual work site visit may be requested by employers and students not on their first work term and in some cases may be required.

Supporting WIL Co-op student academic requirements

For each four-month work term (including consecutive work terms in the same position) a student must receive a passing grade for their associated work term course and/or any additional requirements specified by the student’s academic program. WIL Co-op employers must support their students in meeting their work term academic requirements by helping them choose a report topic (when required) and by providing technical guidance where appropriate. Please note that academic requirements may vary according to the student’s academic discipline. It is the student’s responsibility to understand the academic requirements that apply and convey any needs to their employer supervisor.

General liability coverage and safety

Maintain comprehensive general liability coverage appropriate to your operations including Employer's Liability. WIL Co-op students are to be covered by Worker's Compensation in accordance with the employer's operations and government regulations for the region, province or country of employment. Employers must maintain a workplace which adheres to legislated occupational health and safety policies.

Unsafe Work 

The WIL Co-op office advocates for safe working environments and encourages all WIL Coop employers to be aware of the conditions of safe and unsafe work in line with Human Rights and Equity and with an understanding of what constitutes discrimination, harassment and sexual harassment. Students who feel they are in unsafe working environments are advised to contact the WIL Co-op office immediately. WIL Coop employers who seek guidance in this regard are encouraged to reach out to the WIL Coop office.

End of Term Performance Appraisal

Students’ final work term grades depend on their WIL Co-op employer’s final performance appraisal. Before the end of each work term, a secure link to complete the online appraisal form is emailed directly to the WIL Co-op supervisor. Supervisors must complete the appraisal and review it with the student before the end of the work term.

Student responsibilities

Please see our Co-op Student Handbook for complete details.

WIL Co-op Office responsibilities

  • Provide equitable services to all students and employers.
  • Ensure that work terms are suitable learning experiences for students.
  • Accommodate employers' reasonable requests for job posting, interview space, and presentation facilities.
  • Provide students with accurate information on all recruiting employers.
  • Follow Dalhousie University’s policies and standards in providing student information to employers.
  • Notify employers of any hiring limitations before they conduct interviews.
  • Inform students, employers, and other interested parties of our policies and procedures.
  • Comply with all provincial and federal freedom of information, human rights, and employment legislation.
  • The university does not guarantee employment for students or recruitment success for employers.

During Orientation

  • Develop and deliver co-op curriculum that adheres to national accreditation standards of Co-operative Education
  • Deliver mandatory Readiness Session that prepares students for the expectations of the job competition and work term as well as the platforms, supports and resources that are available to them.

During the Job Search

  • Facilitate opportunities for students to learn job readiness skills, acquire job competition and industry knowledge and meet the expectations of their WIL Co-op program. 
  • Provide an assigned Student Development Coordinator available for advising and coaching and to assist with their academic, career, and personal development.
  • Develop work term opportunities reflective of the academic program and student needs to compliment student self-directed job search.
  • Develop work opportunities that meet program requirements.
  • Coordinate job postings, interviews and job offers.
  • Connect employers, students, and faculty through meaningful networking opportunities.

During the Work Term

  • Communicate the components of a successful work term to employers and students.
  • Monitor student learning and the quality of the co-op experience.
  • Conduct a mode of work term monitoring to ensure work terms with employers and students are meeting the objectives of the WIL Co-op programs.
  • Support students and employers through workplace challenges to ensure a safe learning environment.

University responsibilities

  • Financially support the costs of administering WIL Co-op programs.
  • Manage the academic governance of the WIL Co-op programs.
  • Provide access to university services for students engaged in the WIL Co-op programs.
  • Encourage faculty to participate in relevant aspects of the WIL Co-op programs.