Earlier this year, Vice-Provost Teaching & Learning Chloë Brushwood Rose announced the establishment of an integrated unit to support co-operative education (co-op) at York.
This initiative strengthens support for existing co-op programs and enables the expansion of co-operative education across the University.
With the creation of the new Co-operative Education & Experiential Learning team under the Office of the Vice-Provost Teaching & Learning, tsynergies were identified with the existing Career Centre team, under the Office of the Vice-Provost Students. As a result, a new partnership between the teams has been established to improve access for students and the employers who hire them. To increase visibility and accessibility, enhance service delivery and foster collaboration, a shared office space was proposed.
As of Sept. 2, , both teams are officially operating out of 1020 Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Building on the Keele Campus, now be known as the Co-op & Career Centre. While the teams remain distinct in their offerings, the move brings together services that play a central role in supporting students' career readiness and connects them more directly with employment and experiential learning pathways.
The new Co-op & Career Centre is easily accessible to students from across the Keele Campus. Bob Eichvald, director of career education and development, highlights the strategic importance of the move.
"We're excited to be in a location that's more visible and accessible to our students," he says. "Our goal is to meet students where they are, and this new space helps us do that physically and programmatically."
Melanie Belore, executive director of experiential learning, notes this initiative reflects the University's focus on fostering employability as a key outcome of a York education.
"The establishment of this shared space is one of many steps York is taking to ensure our students graduate not only with academic knowledge, but with the practical skills and experiences that make them highly employable," says Belore.
Faculty, staff and students are invited to visit the new space to explore career resources, meet with the teams and learn about upcoming events and opportunities.
For more information, visit the Careers website.
This story was originally featured in YFile, York University's community newsletter.
