Overview

Classroom instruction alone is not sufficient to equip today’s students with the knowledge and skills required to ensure a successful career. What the classroom cannot provide is the experience and personal challenges found in the working environment. At work, the student also has the opportunity to apply the knowledge acquired in the classroom to real-life situations in business and industry.

This type of education has become known as experiential learning, workplace education, or co-operative education (co-op). In practice, workplace education (co-op) alternates periods of academic study and related, practical working experiences.

The Centre for Workplace Education (Co-op) administers a variety of experiential education programs for the British Columbia Institute of Technology’s many trades and technology programs. Each program involves students in applied learning situations designed to enhance their knowledge in their discipline. As a result, these programs help to develop the skills necessary for employment and lifelong learning. Programs may include cooperative education, co-op internships, fieldwork practicums, and workplace experiences.

BCIT Update

• Jeff Otto, Co-op Coordinator at the BCIT Marine Campus (BMC) receives award
• Earl Anderson recognized with Dr. Graham Branton Research Award (October 2012)
• Judith Hall receives award for contribution to cooperative education (May 2012)
• BCIT celebrates National Co-operative Education Week (March 2012)
• Centre for Workplace Education faculty honoured by Association for Co-operative Education (July 2011)
• BCIT celebrates National Co-operative Education Week (March 2011)
• City of Burnaby formally acknowledges National Co-op Week (March 2011)
• Learning through Experience: an educational exchange (March 2009)