Co-op Program Overview
The Master’s in Environment and Sustainability (MES) program at Western
University is an innovative, one year, course-based graduate program
that requires the completion of one four month (minimum of 500 hours),
full-time work term for the successful completion of the degree. The
co-op work term runs from May-August on a yearly basis and follows two
academic terms which allows the students to put their learning directly
into practice.
Past employers
have hired students for a multitude of reasons, from creating a
greenhouse gas inventory to writing policy for procurement to social
media and marketing of “green” initiatives. Co-op employers include all
levels of government, not-for-profit organizations and public and
private companies.
The MES co-op program is a registered co-op
program with the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities and
enables an employer to be eligible for the
Co-operative Education Tax Credit that can reimburse up to $3000.00 of the costs incurred as a result of hiring a co-op student.
We invite you to participate in this year’s recruitment!
EMPLOYER EXPECTATIONS:
As a co-op host, we ask that you commit to the following:
- Offering the students work projects that are relevant, and degree-related
- Providing orientation and training for the student when they begin their work term
- Imparting your experience and wisdom through regular supervision and mentorship
Administrative Requirements include:
- Developing Learning Outcomes for the co-op work term – outlining
what the student should know and be able to do by the end of the co-op
work term. They help the student to identify the integration and
application of the learning they have gained.
- Completing Evaluations – we require that you monitor the students performance and complete a midpoint and final evaluation
The MES co-op program appreciates the support of its employers and
aims to ensure that employer needs are met during the course of the
summer co-op program. Please don’t hesitate to contact the
MES Co-op Office if you have any questions about the program.
