The University of Guelph has reached a major milestone, ranking as the second largest university co-op program in Ontario and the fifth largest in Canada.
For more than 40 years, the University has been delivering high-quality co-operative education, offering students relevant work experience and opportunities to explore careers and build professional networks, all while earning their degree.
From 2019-2023, U of G nearly doubled its co-op offerings from 35 programs to 65, reflecting its commitment to experiential learning.
"This is a significant accomplishment at any time, but especially during today's challenging economic and labour market conditions," says Elaine Fenner, director of Experiential Learning. "I am so proud of the work of our co-operative education team."
During the 2024-2025 academic year, U of G students completed 3,569 paid co-op work terms across three semesters, helping the University move into second place.
Co-op programming at U of G takes students across Ontario, Canada
Students have pursued co-op work terms in Guelph, Southern Ontario, Canada and the world. Most recently, U of G-Humber launched a co-op option for students in Business Administration.
"Gaining work experience in their field of study is such an important component of students' career development," says Fenner. "Students build their skills, knowledge, abilities and networks while on a co-op work term. Our focus is to provide more students the opportunity to further their career development through co-op and work-integrated learning."
The University's Experiential Learning team has enhanced staffing capacity throughout its expansion, continuing its reputation for exceptional, personal support for students throughout their co-op experience. The employment services team has also expanded to assist employers every step of the way, from job postings to performance evaluations to work term check-ins.
After completing an introductory course that covers resume and cover letter writing, job search and interview skills, students can embark on work terms anywhere from four to 12 months. Students complete three to five paid work terms, depending on their academic program.
They work in the private, public or not-for-profit sectors in a range of workplaces from laboratories to production floors, offices or even outdoor settings. Throughout their work terms, they receive guidance from a team of staff who meet with students for regular check-ins.
U of G's co-op program is accredited by Co-operative Education and Work Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL) and adheres to standards set by the CEWIL accreditation council.
Visit the Co-operative Education website to learn more about available opportunities.
