This article briefly introduces the co-op education offered by Georgian College.

According to the Ontario Colleges Key Performance Indicators from 2018-2019, Georgian College has one of the highest graduate employment rates of all Ontario colleges. 89.7% of Georgian graduates found work within six months, above the provincial average of 86.2%. Georgian has maintained a graduate employment rate above the provincial average for more than 20 years.

Georgian’s emphasis on co-operative education is a crucial factor that contributes to the high graduate employment rate.

Co-op education is a formal program that integrates academic studies with work experience. A co-op program allows students to gain work experience while they pursue their academic studies. For students, co-op is a great opportunity to use their learning on the job, and it is also a great way to build their employer network.

• The co-op education offered by Georgian College works within the CEWIL definition and guidelines of co-op:Each work situation is developed and/or approved by the Co-operative Educational institution as a suitable learning experience.
• The student is engaged in productive work rather than merely observing.
• The student receives remuneration for the work performed.
• Student performance on the job is supervised and evaluated by the employer.
• Total work experience is normally 50% of the time spent in the academic student – in no circumstances less than 30%.

Georgian College has the highest percentage of students enrolled in programs with mandatory co-op. Over 5,000 Georgian students are enrolled in co-op programs. Georgian College believes in the power of real-world opportunities – experiences that take students out of the classroom and immerse students in their industries. That is why 100% of Georgian programs emphasize practical hands-on learning.

Because of the work-integrated learning and various co-op programs, many international students choose to study at Georgian. To complete the required co-op term, students who enroll in co-op programs will have the opportunities to experience hands-on learning and gain industry-related work experience that often leads to better opportunities upon completion of the program. When students graduate, they will have the confidence to succeed on the job because they already have corresponding experience. It is also a great resume builder and a way to differentiate themselves.

• Aside from the co-op education, Georgian College also offers other work-integrated learning experience, such as:Clinical placement.
• Field placement.
• Internship.
• Applied research projects.
• Community service learning.
• Practicum.
• Entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship.

A testimony from an employer:“We have a strong relationship with Georgian and have had great success in hiring co-op students and graduates. The students’ technical skills and ability to grasp new concepts and integrate into our organizational culture has been quite impressive.”

Mary Esplen, The Humberview Group

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