Co-op program information for employers

The Faculty of Arts at the University of Manitoba is committed to helping employers find the right students for work placements. We will provide you with access to skilled students who can assist you in your work with projects, process improvement and day-to-day business.

Faculty of Arts students are available for 12- to 16-week work terms starting in January, May or September.

On this page:

Employer benefits

An employer who welcomes a co-op student into the workplace is receiving a highly skilled and motivated employee who is eager to learn and contribute.

Employer benefits are many:

  • Hiring solutions: Filling short-term needs with qualified students with the potential of selecting future full-time employees.
  • Investment: Reducing the cost of recruiting, hiring and training.
  • Strategic recruitment: Hiring job-ready and motivated students who have been pre-screened and are prepared for the world of working.
  • Dedicated talent: Employing students who have a focus on professional development, seeking to explore their career paths.
  • Support: Accessing a variety of supports such as use of on-campus interview rooms and receiving ongoing support from qualified co-op professionals.
  • Tax credits and wage subsidies: Potential eligibility for federal or provincial tax credits and wage subsidies.

Employer responsibilities

The hourly wage for students should be at or above the provincial minimum.

As a co-op supervisor, you are required to:

  • Provide students with at least 12 weeks of degree-related experience.
  • Provide mentorship, guidance and support to students during their placement.
  • Evaluate the student's performance and review their work report.
  • Provide a safe work environment where students can use and continue to develop their skills.
  • Provide feedback to the student during and after their work term.

Government funding for employers

As a co-op employer, you may be eligible for provincial and federal subsidies and tax credits.

The Faculty of Arts Co-op Office can help you regarding your eligibility, the application process and the forms required for these financial incentives.

Canada Summer Jobs

The Canada Summer Jobs initiative offers wage subsidies to employers who create summer job opportunities for secondary and post-secondary full-time students aged 15 to 30 who intend to return to their studies in the following academic year.

Public and private sector employers may be eligible to receive funding for up to 100 per cent of the provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage in addition to reimbursement of mandatory employment-related costs.

Co-op Graduates Hiring Incentive

The Co-op Graduates Hiring Incentive (COG-HI) is designed to connect graduates of registered co-operative education programs to full-time employment related to their field of study.

Employers who hire and retain a graduate from a registered co-operative education program can claim up to 15 per cent of wages and salaries in each of the first two full years of employment, to a maximum of $2,500 per graduate.

Co-op Students Hiring Incentive

The Co-op Students Hiring Incentive (COS-HI) is designed to provide work experience for students through co-operative education work placements.

Employers who hire a student as part of a registered co-operative education program can claim 25 per cent of wages and salaries, up to a maximum of $5,000 per student.

Environmental Careers Organization (ECO) Canada

ECO Canada offers a wage subsidy of up to 50 per cent (to a maximum $5,000) to employers who hire current university or college students studying in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) or business.

For an employment opportunity to be eligible for the funding, it must be 12 to 16 weeks in duration and possess an environmental capacity. Eligible employment opportunities could include work in sustainable design or green building.

Manitoba government - Paid Work Experience Tax Credits

The Paid Work Experience Tax Credits are a group of programs that help employers create work experience opportunities for students in Manitoba. There are two incentives for employers who hire students and graduates from registered co-operative education programs.

Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)

The Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) is offered to eligible employers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) and business to support quality student work placements.

Employers receive up to 50 per cent of the cost of wages (up to a maximum of $5,000 per placement) and up to 70 per cent of the cost of wages (up to a maximum of $7,000 per placement) for under-represented students including women in STEM, Indigenous students, persons with disabilities and newcomers.

How to apply for a co-op student

Here are the steps we take to match a co-op student with your business.

The Faculty of Arts Co-op Office accepts job postings on a continuous basis.

Please send your job posting to Arts.Coop@umanitoba.ca.

  • When we receive your job posting, we send it to co-op students seeking work placement.
  • Students submit their application packages to the Arts Co-op Office. Each application package includes a cover letter, resumé and a copy of the student's latest academic history.
  • As the potential employer, you will receive a package with all applications sent to you by email on the application deadline.
  • You then review the applications and provide an interview list and details to the Arts Co-op Office via email. We will arrange the schedule on your behalf and update you with the final schedule.
  • After interviews are complete, you select the student who is best suited for your position. Please also select an alternate student in case your first choice has accepted a position elsewhere.
  • All offers of employment are to be made through the Co-op Office rather than directly to the student.
  • You will receive a Letter of Acceptance or Letter of Release from the student via email regarding your offer of employment. The student is required to do this within 48 business hours of the offer being made known to them by the Co-op Office.

If you are uncertain of funding or budget approval, you can post a position as long as you indicate it is pending budget approval or funding. The position can be withdrawn if funding does not become available.

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Contact us

Faculty of Arts Co-op Office
304 Tier Building
173 Dafoe Road
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2M9  Canada

Arts.Coop@umanitoba.ca
204-474-7209