Employers

Overview

The MMASc program is an innovative, one-year course-based professional graduate program that requires the completion of a four-month, full-time experiential learning term for the successful completion of the degree. Potential employers include all levels of government, not-for-profit organizations, and public and private companies.

Benefits

  • Gain access to innovative, motivated students who have strong technical/ scientific knowledge and a solid understanding of the fundamental functional areas of business/business skills (finance, marketing, organizational behaviour, project management, leadership, oral and written communications).
  • MMASc students are a reliable, responsible, and cost-effective solution for many employers seeking individuals with technical/scientific knowledge as well as business skills & acumen.
  • Opportunity to build a talent “pipeline” to provide on-going support to business projects while supporting Western and the Faculty of Science in developing industry-ready graduates who will be able to meet a with combined science & business expertise within your organization.
  • The MMASc is a registered co-operative education program with the Ministry of Colleges and Universities and enables an employer to be eligible for the Ontario Co-operative Education Tax Credit that can reimburse an employer up to $3,000 of the costs incurred as a result of hiring an internship student.
  • The ability to ‘test drive’ potential employees during a work integrated learning experience (co-op) allowing organizations to identify a strong fit for full-time positions that may be available in the near future.
  • Given the timeframe of the program, should a strong fit be identified, employers may choose to offer our students short-term contracts or full- time jobs, which are still eligible for the Ontario Co-operative Education Tax Credit. The first four months of any such option will still be considered internship and thus be eligible for an additional grant to offset up to $3,000 in costs to the employer.

Employer expectations

As a host organization, we ask that you commit to the following:

  • Offer the students work projects that are relevant, and degree-related
  • Provide orientation and training for the student when they begin their work term
  • Impart your experience and wisdom through regular supervision and mentorship

Typical salary and costs

For a four-month term, which equals about 500 hours of work, the overall cost, excluding benefits, typically ranges from $8,750 to $14,250.

All of our four-month experiential learning terms are eligible for the Ontario Co-operative Education Tax Credit  (maximum credit $3,000 per four- month placement). Other potential funding options for employers include the MITACS – Accelerate program ($15,000 per four-month placement), where grants are available to offset the cost of employing our students.

Hiring a Student – The Process

Students will first complete academic studies between September-April and be ready to undertake your experiential learning term from May-August or beyond.

MMASc recruiting may begin in the fall term; however, the most significant recruiting period for work term positions is typically from January-April with organizations posting opportunities, students applying, organizations interviewing selected candidates, and formal offers being extended to students throughout the months of February, March, and April.

Action Timeline

Summer work placement jobs posted to MMASc class*   Starting early November
Applications for posted positions typically due   January through March
Interviews for posted positions held   Mid-January to Mid-April
Students begin their placements End of April/Beginning of May onward
Identification of learning outcomes and professional development for students  Within the first two to three weeks of the experiential learning term
End-of-term evaluation     At/Near the end of the experiential learning term
Review of student final report Month of August

* Please note: Employers are encouraged to submit summer work term postings by the end of January at the latest to gain access to the greatest number of applicants.

Evaluation

Employers are required to engage with MMASc employee(s) early in the work term to determine their job-specific and learning outcomes. You are encouraged to meet consistently and throughout the work- term to ensure that you can provide constructive feedback and guidance, as required.

Employers are required to submit a formal written performance evaluation at the end of the work term. You must earn no less than a minimum ‘satisfactory” performance rating to receive credit for the required work placement element of the MMASc program.