Co-operative Education Program

In-person information sessions are held in March and September. Sessions are approx. 30-40 minutes long depending on the Q&A period. Check UM Connect for dates and times!

Did you miss an info session? Click on the following link to watch a recording: https://youtu.be/fTIq25cCSdg

Satisfying the entrance requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the Co-op Program. 

Degree Program Students

Students who have been admitted to an undergraduate program within the faculty are eligible to apply to the Co-op Program.

The first work term can start after the first year (24 credit hours) of a 4-year or second-degree program. Students admitted into the Program must maintain good academic standing (minimum DGPA of 2.0) throughout their co-op work terms.

Each co-op term that receives a Pass mark earns a student 3 credit hours. During a work term, a co-op student may take one additional course. Courses cannot interfere with the student's work and must be taken outside of work hours. Co-op students should not graduate on a work term without written permission from the Co-op Office.

Diploma in Agriculture Students

To be considered for admission in the Cooperative Education Program, a first year diploma student must have a minimum Degree GPA of 2.0, and have completed at least 24 credit hours of studies by the end of the academic year of application (apply in your first year of the program).

International Students

International students are welcome to apply for Co-op. If accepted into the co-op program, international students will be directed to apply for a co-op work permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This permit allows international students to participate in full time, off-campus cooperative education employment. Students must have a valid study permit to apply for a co-op work permit.

International students may contact or see an advisor at the International Centre for co-op work permit-related questions.

The Co-op Program provides students with numerous benefits:

Career development and resources

• Explore different roles, industries, and organizations that can help define long-term career and employment goals. 
• Exclusive career development and employment support including application reviews, one-on-one interview preparation, and ongoing support during your work terms.
• Develop techniques for writing effective resumes and cover letters that stand out to employers, and how to best conduct interviews. Every job application submitted builds confidence and skills as a job seeker - because it's not just about the work experience, it's the experience getting the work! 

Financial

• Earn money to supplement education costs. Co-op students are typically paid industry standard wages.
• Access to funding opportunities, scholarships, and bursaries that are exclusive to co-op students.

Academic

• Gain co-op designations on transcripts and parchments that are an advantage when seeking permanent employment. The designation may give you a competitive advantage when applying for positions post-graduation, as it signifies that you have a year of paid, relevant work experience under your belt in addition to your academic accomplishments.
• Earn three (3) credit hours per co-op work term. Three successful work terms can help you balance academic and professional goals.
• Have a fresh perspective when you return to your courses after a work term. Co-op students often see their grades improve after applying what they've learned in the classroom and conducting self-reflection.

Career network

• Develop and maintain important industry contacts via your co-op employers, professional colleagues, and fellow co-op students.

Costs & Associated Fees

*Co-op fees include co-op course fees to earn 3 credit hours towards your degree or diploma program.

Applicants who are accepted to the program agree to follow co-op guidelines that are designed to help them be successful before and after graduation.

As a Co-op student, you become a representative of the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences. It is important for everyone to work together to make a co-op work term a meaningful experience and preserve valued relationships between students, the Co-op Coordinator and industry partners. 

The following is a non-exhaustive list of expectations that Co-op students must adhere to, refer to the Co-op Student Guide for a full detailed information on student requirements.

• Inform the Co-op Coordinator of any changes to your degree, program or contact information.
• Conduct research for potential co-op work term that suit your interests, academic goals and personal life adaptability (i.e. capacity to live short-term in rural Manitoba).
• Ensure your resume and cover letters are complete in all areas and professional in appearance. 
• Apply for an appropriate number of jobs across a range of sectors of the agri-food industry.
• Attend and participate in professional development opportunities to enhance the Co-op experience.

Pre-Placement (1-4 months prior to start of work term):

• Connect with the Co-op Coordinator with any potential employer who requests more information on co-op.
• Attend all orientations and mandatory workshops that inform and prepare students for starting co-op placements.
• Register for the appropriate Co-op Work Term about 1 month prior to starting your placement.
• Pay associated course fees for Work Term (students earn 3 credit hours for each Term/placement once they receive a "Pass" grade in Aurora).
• Review your email frequently for information from the Co-op Coordinator.

During the Co-op placement:

• Work to your full capacity during work terms and participate in workplace events and meetings.
• Follow all policies and procedures provided by the employer.
• Represent the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences in a professional and ethical manner.
• Complete and submit Co-op Course deliverables, including Self-Evaluation forms, online reflection pieces and final reports, in a timely manner.

Information Session

Students who are applying to the Co-op Program are encouraged to register for and attend a co-op information session prior to submitting an application.

The information session will include the following topics:

• Benefits of the Co-op Program
• Student responsibilities and expectations
• Student intake application process
• Onboarding and pre-placement 
• ...and much more!

Register on UM Connect.

Did you miss a Co-op Info session? Please contact agcoop@umanitoba.ca for a recording of the session. 

Career and Academic Planning

Applying to and participating in the Co-op Program is a commitment to enhance your overall student experience and development. From job search to developing tailored applications to building a professional network, you will be exposed to opportunities and situations that will require you to make decisions that impact other areas of your life.

Students who are interested in applying to the program are encouraged to meet with a Career Consultant to discuss how the Co-op Program can affect, change, and contribute to career and academic plans/goals.

Important note about the online application form: There is currently no way to 'save' an incomplete application once it has started. Consider typing out your responses in a separate document if you require more time.

Co-op intake occurs once per year, in the fall term. Applications open in the summer. Once you are accepted into the program, you do not need to reapply for subsequent/future work terms. 

Ex. If a student wishes to complete a co-op work term in Summer 2025, they would apply for the Co-op Program in Fall 2024.

Interested in applying for a Winter 2025 work term? You may be eligible for an accelerated option to start your first work term as early as the upcoming winter term.

Why does the standard co-op schedule begin in the summer term?
When co-op students are accepted into the program, they receive coaching and guidance on how to prepare themselves for a successful work search, including preparing a quality resume and cover letter, and feeling confident and prepared going into interviews. This occurs over the fall and winter terms.

For International students, they must receive a co-op work permit from IRCC, which has lengthy processing times.

If you feel you are ready to start the job search process immediately, you may apply for the Winter 2025 term.

What is required to be eligible for the accelerated Winter 2025 application option?
In addition to the general co-op requirements:

• Complete at least two academic terms of your program at FAFS
• Ready to submit a quality, sample resume and cover letter as part of your co-op application
• Immediately eligible to start working (most International students will unfortunately not qualify due to Co-op Work Permit processing times)
• Possess interviewing skills, ready to go to an interview if invited

Get the following ready before you start your application:

• Student number 
• Credit hours completed & Degree GPA (i.e. UMAchieve, unofficial web transcript through Aurora, etc.)
• A schedule in mind of when you would plan to complete your co-op terms (should apply with the intent to complete 2-3 work terms - co-op is not a one-time internship).

In order to qualify as a co-op position, a job opportunity must be:

• Full time (minimum 35 hours per week)

• Approx. 4 months in duration, or min. 420 hours, spanning the academic term

• Paid 
• Meaningful and challenging work that is relevant to a program of study in the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences.