The Benefits of Hiring a Trent Co-op Student
While students gain the benefit of real-world career experience, there are several ways that you, as an employer, can benefit:
Gain access to a pool of talented, eager, goal oriented individuals
Trent students are problem-solvers and critical thinkers with excellent communication skills. They are ready and eager to take on new learning experiences, which means your workplace gains a team member with fresh ideas, unique perspectives, and valuable knowledge
Develop and train up-and-coming talent
When you have the direct experience of working with future full-time candidates while they are still university students, you can instill core skills and expertise early on in their careers. This benefits your future recruitment and hiring efforts as you’ll have a pool of candidates who already have your preferred skills and understand your business. This can support future recruitment and hiring efforts as you’ll have a pool of candidates who have the skills you are looking for.
Launch special projects
Co-op work terms are approximately 4 months in length with some programs offering 8- and
12-month options. Students have the opportunity to manage well-defined special projects that your other employees or full-time students do not have the capacity to take on.
Receive federal wage subsidies and provincial tax credits
Hiring students in our approved co-op programs could earn you a credit of up to $3,000 through the Ontario Tax Credit and additional wage subsidies from Federal funding programs. See below for more information about funding options for co-op work opportunities.
Find Out More
Contact our Co-op Employer Liaisons at Careerspace if you have questions about designing a co-op position or hiring a Trent co-op student.
Funding for Co-op Employers
Interested in hiring a co-op student to contribute to your team? There are a range of funding options available throughout the year that can offset or sometimes cover student wages during their work term with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about our co-op programs and the benefits of hiring a co-op student.
Co-op Employer Information Sheets
The Co-op Employer Information Sheets provide an overview of the co-op program, the benefits of hiring a Trent co-op student, employer responsibilities, wage subsidies and tax credit information, and hiring timelines.
Please click on each resource to learn more about our co-op programs:
- Undergraduate Co-ops at Careerspace (24 diverse undergraduate programs!)
- Conservation Biology
- School of Business & Department of Economics
- Graduate Co-ops at Careerspace:
You can see when Trent co-op students are out to work below:
Co-op Employers on the Student Experience Portal
Co-op employers will utilize the Student Experience Portal to post their co-op jobs on our Co-op Job Board. Please watch this video or view the text guide for detailed instructions on how to set up your employer account on the Student Experience Portal and post on the Co-op Job Board. Information about hiring timelines, employer and student responsibilities, and tax credit letter information is also shared in the video and text guide.
Please note that not all co-op programs at Trent are using the Student Experience Portal. For inquiries about the Business, Accounting, Economics, or Conservation Biology co-op programs, please contact the respective Co-op Coordinator as seen on the Contact Us page.
Employer Responsibilities
As a co-op employer, you play a central role in introducing Trent students to the professional world. To ensure a positive experience for both you and the student, we ask you to:
- Set and manage expectations on the responsibilities and duties during the work term, including helping align the student’s learning objectives and outcomes to their work.
- Offer regular coaching and mentorship to the student throughout the work term.
- Provide feedback to the Co-op Coordinator on the student’s progress throughout the work term.
- Complete a midterm and final evaluation on the student’s performance.
- Offer fair compensation to co-op students based on job responsibilities and current labour standards, legislation, and post-secondary policies.
Recruitment Standards
Careerspace is a member of the Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers (CACEE) and follows the Guidelines for Ethical Recruitment.
Job postings and on-campus recruitment must conform to the Ontario Employment Standards and the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Please refer to the Trent Employer/ Recruiter Recruitment Policy for more information.
Let's Connect
Ready to bolster your talent pipeline and get support for your business? Reach out today!
Book time with Jessica Gordon
Humanities & Social Sciences Programs
Call: (705) 748-1011 ext. 7244
Book time with Roshane Paldano
Programs: Computer Science, Financial Science, Kinesiology, Software Engineering
Call: (705) 748-1011 ext. 7058
Email us: coop@trentu.ca
Work Term Highlight
"Our co-op student from Trent University, Leighla, was truly a pleasure to work with. As a not-for-profit, Leighla’s efforts in securing programs and volunteers was integral to our success as an organization throughout her time with us. She took the initiative in helping to deliver our financial literacy programs to grade school students, underscoring her leadership and ability to engage others, while simultaneously continuing to book, train, and follow up with other volunteers for adjacent programs. Without Trent’s co-op program and support, including the $7,000 in funding we received through the Student Work Placement Program, we might not have been introduced to Leighla’s unique skills and talents that meshed so seamlessly with our mission. It has been an absolute pleasure having her on our team and we are eager to show our ongoing support."
John McNutt | President & CEO | JA Northern and Eastern Ontario