Information for Co-op Employers
Hiring a Co-op student isn't just beneficial to students - it's beneficial for your business too!
Co-op Program
Contribute to developing experiential learning opportunities while strengthening your recruitment strategy and gaining insight from bright and motivated individuals.
What is a co-op employer?
Co-op employers provide any four month term position to a student as a co-op placement if they are an agency, organization or company that follows the employer standards outlined in the program. Working with the Co-op Coordinator, employers can market their position to students within particular undergraduate programs.
Hiring a co-op student is a great way to build your organization’s reputation as an employer of choice amongst current students and new graduates. Co-op students are motivated to contribute, and bring enthusiasm and new ideas into the workplace.
Co-op placements require collaboration between the Faculty’s Co-op Coordinator and employers who are looking to specifically hire co-op students, with both parties gaining a better sense of the other’s ever-shifting needs.
Become a Co-op Employer
Hiring through the Co-op Program is a great way to recruit skilled and motivated students who are eager to learn and contribute. The Program allows students to apply theory into practice through relevant, full-time and paid opportunities.
Benefits of Being a Co-op Employer
The Co-op Program provides employers with supports and opportunities to:
- Gain new, innovative ideas and fresh perspectives from students.
- Build and develop a fruitful relationship with members of the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and the Agri-Food sector.
- Continuous access to a diverse pool of potential student candidates with varying backgrounds in the agri-food sector.
- Access hiring incentives, wage subsidies, government tax incentives such as the Cooperative Education tax credit that covers 15% (up to $5000) of student wages.
- Reduce recruitment costs by addressing labour market gaps through a growing coop program.
- Evaluate, train and mentor long-term employees before committing. Most co-op employers hire their students after graduation.
- Each work term allows employers to explore different job designs, task varieties, and project needs that can help define the company's recruitment and staffing goals.
- Learn and build on supervisory and project management skills by taking on co-op students as new trainees and employees, and by participating in evaluations and career conversations.
Co-op Job Criteria
Co-op roles are:
- Full time (minimum 35 hours per week)
-
4 months in duration, spanning the academic term (ie. January - April, May - August)
- Paid
- Meaningful and challenging work that is relevant to a major in the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences
Employer Responsibilities
Participating in the Co-op Program contributes to the overall student experience and addresses labour market needs. The Faculty ensures that co-op students are accountable to employers by maintaining regular contact with both direct supervisors and students.
It is important for us to work together to make this a meaningful experience and preserve valued relationships between students, coop coordinator(s), and industry partners.
The following is a non-exhaustive list of responsibilities that Co-op employers must adhere to:
- Adhere to all laws and legislation related to labour and employment such as the Occupation Health and Safety legislation, Canada Labour Code, Canadian Human Rights Act, Employment Standards legislation, and much more.
- Provide meaningful, relevant, paid employment for a minimum of 420 hours and/or 12 weeks (minimum 35 hours per week).
- Provide the student/Co-op Program with an accurate job description.
- Provide a written letter of offer to the student outlining offer details.
- Respect the Co-op Office’s timelines, schedules and deadlines.
- Offer reasonable notice to candidates to be interviewed and of cancellations.
- Provide an orientation to familiarize the student with their responsibilities, work environment, direct supervisor (or workplace mentor) and organization's policies, etc.
- Develop and provide a training plan for students to learn and understand the role, health and safety regulations, and other procedures necessary to the position.
- Foster a positive experiential learning environment for the co-op student that encourages career conversations and discussions on career pathways, opportunities, learning objectives, etc.
- Provide a safe and conducive work environment, especially to those with limited experience.
- Meet with a Co-op Coordinator and the co-op student for a site visit/mid-term meeting once per co-op work term to assess student progress.
- Complete the Student Evaluation Form at the beginning and end of the work term and discuss it with the student.
- Communicate any potential difficulties in completing work terms with the student and the Co-op Coordinator.
Wage Subsidies, Tax Incentives & Financial Support
Explore this extensive list of wage subsidy and tax rebate programs employers can access when hiring a student for Summer, co-op or internship placements.
Suggested Hiring Timeline
Suggested Timeline
Hiring Co-op students can be a rewarding process if communication with our Co-op Coordinator happens early in the academic year. We understand that companies and employers have different hiring preferences and we strive to accommodate these as best as we can.
To help you understand and adopt processes to match the Co-op Program timeline, we suggest referring to the following timelines to ensure a smooth hiring process through the Co-op Program.
Winter recruitment
Date | Task/Description |
---|---|
June - September | Submit job opportunities to the Co-op Job Board |
October | Review application and conduct interviews |
November | Finalize the hiring process; Confirm new Co-op hires with the Co-op Coordinator |
January - April | Winter Co-op Work Term |
Summer recruitment
Date | Task/Description |
---|---|
September - February | Submit job opportunities to the Co-op Job Board |
October - March | Review applications, conduct interviews and finalize the hiring process. Confirm new Co-op hires with the Co-op Coordinator |
May - August | Summer Co-op Work Term |
Fall recruitment
Date | Task/Description |
---|---|
June - July | Submit job opportunities to the Co-op Job Board and utilize various channels for promotions |
July - August | Review applications and conduct interviews |
August | Finalize the hiring process; Confirm new Co-op hires with the Co-op Coordinator |
September - December | Fall Co-op Work Term |
Ready to Hire Our Students?
Follow the steps below to register as a new employer for the Co-op Program.
Step 1. Create an account on UM Connect
Co-op job postings are posted on the U of M's free, online job board, UM Connect. Please allow 1-2 business days to process your account registration. If you require immediate assistance or have any questions, contact the FAFS Co-op Coordinator at agcoop@umanitoba.ca.
All account registrations are processed by Career Services. You will receive an email notification once your account is approved and ready for access.
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 to your account, 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.
Alternatively, you can also confirm that you have access to the module by clicking on "Post A Job" and you can see the Agriculture General Job Board and the Agriculture Co-op Job Board appear as options.
Step 3. Submit Co-op Job Postings
Once you have successfully logged-in to your UM Connect account, you can now post job postings to our Co-op Job Board. For detailed instructions, you can use this guide for reference.
If you require additional support, please contact the Cooperative Education Coordinator at agcoop@umanitoba.ca.
Step 4. Conduct Hiring and Selection Process
You are responsible for contacting and conducting interviews with suitable candidates. It is important to inform us of any updates regarding the status of your recruitment.
When to send us an update:
- If the deadline is fast approaching and you have not received an adequate number of applications
- If you need assistance in booking interviews with potential Co-op candidates
- If you would like to book interview space at the U of M
- If you have conducted your interviews and/or made an offer to a Co-op student
- If you have not found a suitable candidate for the position
- If you have any changes to the job posting
Step 5. Finalize and confirm your new hire(s)
Upon the acceptance of a job offer, send us an email to confirm the placement and provide a proof of the student's employment. Make sure to include important details such as: 1) start and end dates, 2) anticipated hours per week, 3) other information such as salary, work location, training, etc.
Examples of documents and/or proof of your new hire:
- Signed contract and/or work arrangement
- Signed letter of employer
- A copy of job offer email and acceptance
Contact Us
Agriculture Co-op Program
160-66 Dafoe Road
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB R3T 5V6 Canada