A man and woman walk through a field crop at sunset. An agricultural drone flies overhead, sending data to the woman’s laptop.

Co-op Program

Build and develop workplace skills while you obtain your degree!

What is Co-op?

Co-op is an experiential learning program that gives you the opportunity to use your classroom knowledge in real world, productive work environments; all while you get paid and earn academic credit. It is a partnership between a student, an employer and the educational institution. The success of the Co-op partnership is dependent upon a mutual commitment from all parties. It is a paid work experience that can earn a student 3 credit hours for completing at least 420 hours with a participating employer – these hours must be completed within the 4-month academic term.

Placements can be within academia, the non-profit sector, the agriculture or agri-food industry or the government, but the employer needs to be made aware that it is a co-op placement as early as possible.

The Faculty’s Cooperative Education coordinator acts as a liaison between the student, the employer and any involved academic staff. They promotes employer listings to students, monitors students’ commitment to their placements and conducts the evaluations.

Apply to the Co-op Program

Joining the Co-op Program is a commitment. Here's what you will need to get started.

Eligibility Requirements

All students are advised that satisfying the entrance requirements does not guarantee a job in the Co-op Program. Acceptance into the program is dependant upon the student seeking out and securing a job placement with support from 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 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. Co-op students should not graduate on a work term without written permission from the Co-op Office.

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 an additional course of up to a maximum of 6 credit hours. Courses cannot interfere with the student's work and must be taken outside of work hours.

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 2.5, and have completed at least 47 Credit Hours of studies by the end of the academic year of application. Co-op students should not graduate on a work term without written permission from the Co-op Office.

International Students

You will need to meet with someone at the International Centre first to discuss your work permit for the co-op placement before you contact our Co-op Coordinator. Please note that our Coordinator cannot provide advice on work or study permits. Please refer to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website for up to date information. You can also refer to current temporary rules regarding co-op work permits.

After you have met with the International Centre regarding co-op work permits, you will need to send the Co-op Coordinator this information:

Full name

Student number

Date of birth (DD/MM/YYYY)

Declared major/degree program

Expected date of graduation

First expected work term (i.e. - May 1, 2023 - August 31, 2023)

Benefits & Costs

The Co-op Program provides students with supports and opportunities to:

  • Exclusive career development and employment support designed to help students gain confidence in their abilities and seek support in areas of improvement.
  • Gain and develop crucial technical and employability skills
  • Earn money to supplement education costs. Co-op student receive competitive wages.
  • Build a strong resume, cover letter, and portfolio. Each work term allows students to participate in experiential learning opportunities designed to prepare you for the future. 
  • Each work term allows Co-op students to explore different career options and task varieties that can help define long-term career and employment goals. 
  • Develop and maintain important industry contacts.
  • Earn three (3) credit hours per Co-op Work Term. Three successful work terms can help you balance academic and professional goals. 
  • Access student awards such as the UM Co-op Students of the Year and the CEWIL Canada Student of the Year award.
  • Gain Co-op designations on transcripts and parchments that are an advantage when seeking permanent employment.
  • Gain recognition that allows employers to access hiring incentives for student work terms which helps develop long-term employment opportunities.

Costs & Associated Fees

2022-2023  
Agriculture Diploma $ 796.70
Agricultural & Food Sciences $ 796.70

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expectations of Co-op Students

Applicants who are accepted to the program agree to follow set 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 placement 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:

  • Inform the Co-op Coordinator of any changes to your degree, program or contact information.
  • Follow the steps and guidelines outlined in the application process.
  • Conduct research for potential co-op work term placements 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.
  • International students: Meet with the International Centre at the UM about work permits prior to applying to the Co-op Program and securing work placements.
  • Attend and participate in professional development opportunities to enhance the Co-op experience.

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

  • Connect with the Co-op Coordinator with any potential employer who requests more information on co-op.
  • Attend all orientations and meetings 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.

Before You Apply

Information Session

Students who are applying to the Co-op Program are encouraged to register for attend one of the information sessions 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 program
  • and much more!

Register on UM Connect.

Did you miss the Co-op Info sessions? 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 the overall your student experience and overall 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. 

What You Need To Apply

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.)

Co-op Job Criteria

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

Ready To Apply?

After you've completed the pre-application process, follow the steps below to apply to the Co-op Program.

Step 1. Log-in to your student account in UM Connect

All Co-op Job Postings and Events are only accessible through the Agriculture Co-op module in UM Connect. Students with an active UM student email (UMnetID@myumanitoba.ca) can log-in to the portal using single sign-on. 

What is single sign-on? This is a feature made possible by integration that allows students to log-in to the system using a single set of log-in credentials (e.g. webmail)

Visit UM Connect 

Step 2. Confirm access to the Agriculture Career & Co-op module

Accounts need special permission to view the Faculty's module within the UM Connect portal. Once you log-in, confirm that you are able to view/access the "Agriculture Career & Co-op" module found on the left navigation menu. 

If you are having trouble viewing/accessing this module, contact the Co-operative Education Coordinator for additional assistance.

Step 3. Complete a Co-op Program Application Form

After gaining access to the Agriculture Career & Co-op module in UM Connect, click on "Agriculture Co-op" and complete a formal application form for the work term you wish to join.

For example: If you wish to have your first work placement in Summer 2023, submit an application for the Summer 2023 Placement Intake. 

Step 4. Submit Applications for Co-op Jobs

At this point, you are now equipped and ready to submit applications for Co-op jobs. You are encouraged to consider applying for a number of opportunities to increase your chances of securing a work placement in a timely manner. 

Students are expected to consider different opportunities and postings in order to secure a work term. This may include applying for jobs that are posted in the general job board and may be open for Co-op and non-Co-op applications.

All applications will require you to submit a tailored resume and cover letter. Attend workshops offered by Central Career Services to improve your job search skills, and use the skills and knowledge you've gained to create strong applications.

Students can also turn a non-co-op position (max. 4 month term) into a co-op role if job meets co-op criteria and the employer (including the supervisor) commits to participating in the required activities of the program, including the employer onboarding process and student evaluations.

Students should consult with the Co-op Coordinator prior to talking with an employer about a co-op placement if they are unsure about whether or not the employer will be open to participating in the co-op program requirements.

Step 5. Attend job interviews

Successful job applicants will be contacted by employers to schedule job interviews. If you are planning to follow-up with an employer to confirm interview appointments, we recommend that you are detailed and thorough in your communication to ensure accurate information prior to the interview. 

Note: It is recommended that you practice and thoroughly prepare for your interview. Appointments for one-on-one Mock Interviews are limited to students who have secured an interview date and time. Ensure that you give yourself some time to prepare for an interview.

If you are unsure on how to contact employers, contact the Cooperative Education Coordinator for more information and additional support. 

Step 6. Register for a Co-op Course

Students who have secured a co-op placement must register online for the co-op course in order to obtain the credit. This can be done up to 2 weeks before the start of the co-op placement/work term. For example, if you are scheduled to start working in May, you have to register for a Co-op course by mid-April.

Special permission to register for these courses is required. As a part of these courses, all registered students must participate in a mandatory orientation session that introduces the course instructor and participants.

The co-op courses are offered online on UM Learn and are graded on a Pass/Fail basis.

Co-op Courses (in progression) are as follows:

  • AGRI 2002 – First Co-op Placement: Introduction to HR and Career Competencies
  • AGRI 3002 – Second Co-op Placement: Values-Based Leadership Development
  • AGRI 4002 – Third Co-op Placement: Special Project

Students will earn their co-op designation (indication on their parchment at graduation) with the completion of at least two co-op placements. Full credit hours are required for completion.

Step 7. Pay associated Co-op Fees

Students with secured work placements and co-op course registrations are required to pay associated course fees for each Co-op Work Term. 

You must complete this step prior to the start of your placement. Failure to pay the associated fees may result in a Hold Status on your student account that will prevent you from earning the credit hours associated with the co-op course for that term.

Contact Us

Co-operative Education Program
Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences
160-66 Dafoe Road
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

204-474-8605