Student Information :: Job Application Process

The BCIT Centre for Workplace Education (Co-op) is staffed with experienced co-op coordinators and has systems in place for supporting the administrative aspects of implementing experiential learning programs such as co-op. Administration includes educating students for success in the workforce, liaising with employers, posting job positions, forwarding resumes to employers, arranging interviews, following up on performance with employers and evaluating the student work experiences.

In order to ensure a successful workplace experience, students are required to understand the rules and requirements for placement early in the program.

Placement responsibility

It is the intention of BCIT’s Co-op Coordinators to ensure that the work placements are as structured, relevant and safe as possible. Co-op Coordinators assist students with finding meaningful work placements and monitoring the student’s progress on the job.

It must be recognized that during certain periods of the business cycle, job placements may be difficult to obtain. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the student to secure a meaningful work experience.

Prerequisites for work experience (co-op) placement

Students must successfully complete all Term 1 and where applicable, Term 2 courses before they can be placed into a work placement.

Pre-employment preparation

Before students take a work placement, all students participating are required to attend preparation classes in job placement skills, including resume and cover letter writing, job search and interview skills.

Work experience (co-op) placement

The BCIT Centre for Workplace Education (Co-op) liaises with employers for job positions, which are advertised to students registered for work placements. Students apply for these positions like they would any job in the industry, with proper resumes and cover letters. The employers select suitable candidates for interviews and the Centre for Workplace Education (Co-op) arranges all interviews between employers and candidates.

Work experience (co-op) completion requirements

The work experience placement (co-op) courses are full-time, credit courses. To receive credits for each course, students need to receive satisfactory evaluations from the employers, as well as a passing grade on the work term report due at the end of the work experience (co-op) placement.