Co-Op Education Prepares Students for Work

Higher weekly wages, a higher employment rate and lower debt provide evidence that Nova Scotia co-op graduates have much to celebrate during Co-operative Education Week, March 22-26.

A 1997 survey by the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission found the average weekly wage of a co-op graduate was $640, compared with $447 for those who did not graduate from co-op programs. The same survey found the employment rate for co-op graduates was 91 per cent -- three percentage points higher than the rate for graduates outside of co-op programs.

The survey also found that co-op graduates had an average debt load of $12,342, compared with $14,299 for non-co-op graduates.

"Co-operative education is giving students a chance to get their foot in the door," said Education and Culture Minister Wayne Gaudet. "In today's labour market, employers are looking for experience in addition to academic qualifications."

Co-operative education offers students an opportunity to extend learning beyond the classroom. Students take part alternating school terms with paid work terms in which they gain on-site experience in their chosen field. This allows participants to practise and develop their skills, explore career options and make contacts with potential employers.

Students in co-operative education programs create a network of business contacts, become acquainted with the culture of work, and enhance job-search, technical and computer skills during work terms.

Employers are key partners in co-operative education. For them, co-op education has many benefits, including: partnership in the training process, more employable graduates, new ideas and a fresh perspective, and recruitment assistance.

Co-operative education programs are offered across the province, including at the Nova Scotia Community College and all but one of Nova Scotia's universities. The programs cover such fields as business, sciences, arts, public relations and tourism and hospitality.

The province has programs that provide incentives for private-sector, not-for-profit and government-funded organizations to participate in co-operative education. For example, through the Department of Economic Development and Tourism's Offshore Training Program for Students, eligible businesses have a cost-effective way of hiring co-op students in the offshore industry. Information on the three-year $1.1-million program, under the Canada/Nova Scotia Development Fund, is available by calling 1-800-880-6661 or at www.gov.ns.ca/ecor/ced/offtrain/index.html .

Through the Co-operative Employment Program, not-for-profit and government-funded organizations can hire a student from a recognized co-op program for up to 16 weeks. The program will spend $500,000 to help 180 students receive career-oriented placements this year. More information is also available at 1-800-880-6661 or at www.gov.ns.ca/ecor/ced/pep/coop/index.htm .

NOTE: The following is intended for use by broadcast media.

Nova Scotia co-op graduates are celebrating Co-operative

Education Week.

A recent survey found that co-op graduates are more

likely to get hired. And they earn higher wages and have

less debt.

Education and Culture Minister Wayne Gaudet says that

in today's labour market, employers are looking for experience

in addition to academic qualifications.

The province has programs that provide incentives

to businesses, not-for-profit groups and government-funded

organizations to hire students on co-op work terms.

One program is the one-million-dollar Offshore

Training Program for Students, which helps businesses hire

co-op students for the offshore industry.