The Canadian Co-Op Program or the Canadian Cooperative Program is a very helpful program for students who want to study and work in Canada. In this post, we will find out all about it. Let’s get started.
Canadian Co-Op Program: All You Need To Know
What is the Canadian Co-Op Program?
Co-op, an abbreviation of Cooperative Education Program, is an integrated education program that merges the university and business world. Canadian Co-op programs implemented by colleges in Canada are training programs that combine certificate and paid internship programs aimed at providing international students with both education and work experience. Students participating in the program are offered job opportunities in many fields such as business, informatics, sales, marketing, and tourism.
How long is the Canadian Co-Op program?
The duration of the program can be one or two years, and students who enroll in a two-year education program generally have the opportunity to work part-time (20 hours a week) in the first year, and full-time (40 hours a week) in the second year or in the interim periods such as summer vacation. Students enrolled in a 1-year program in Canadian state colleges receive a work permit for up to 1 year at the end of their education period, while students participating in a 2-year education program have a work permit by staying in the country for up to 3 years. In private colleges, this permission is not given at the end of the program.
What is the benefit of the Canadian Co-Op Program?
Co-op programs provide the opportunity to gain work experience in the country and to improve yourself in education and language training. You can also provide yourself with a financial advantage by covering your major expenses in Canada with the money you earn. It is possible for students who study for two years and work in a job to work or find a job more easily in their existing workplaces after their education.
What are the eligibility criteria for the Canadian Co-Op program?
In order to participate in the program, students are expected to be at least high school graduates and to have at least an IELTS 5.0-5.5 level of English. Although public colleges usually require English test scores such as IELTS and TOEFL, private colleges can administer their own exams and give admission accordingly. Students whose English is not sufficient can take conditional admission and join the “Pathway” program in the language schools that the colleges have an agreement with, and then switch to co-op programs.
Canadian Co-Op Program Terms
The first requirement for Canadian Co-Op program requirements for public or private schools is to achieve a high school graduation. However, although colleges accept high school graduation, it is important for people over the age of university to have a bachelor’s degree in order to obtain a visa.
After your academic qualification, schools will ask you for an English proficiency certificate. You can present your English proficiency on your IELTS score. A minimum grade of 5.0 – 5.5 IELTS is required. However, students who do not have IELTS grades can take the exams held by the institutions and can be accepted if they have sufficient English levels. Some private colleges may also conduct their own examinations.
Students who do not have sufficient language levels while taking conditional admission can participate in the program after receiving sufficient language training at a language school that is contracted with the school. This is the route many students choose. Because students will be able to get used to the city while they receive language education, and they will be able to do academic studies for the program they will receive a diploma in Canada. Except for the programs, you are not legally granted a work permit when you attend only one language school for English language education.
What are the Co-Op Programs courses in Canada?
Of course, one is wondering which programs are offered under the name of Co-op in Canada. In general, we can say that you can get training in many areas that suit your goals about the departments of Co-Op programs in Canada. Examples of these programs include programs such as business administration, marketing, economics, foreign trade, tourism, human resources, tourism, hotel management, and sales, as well as engineering and project management.
How much does the Canadian Co-Op Program cost?
Canadian co-op program fees average 16,000 CAD per year at public colleges. In private colleges, the prices are more economical and may vary according to the duration of the program.
Can students work with the help of the Canadian Co-op Program?
You are legally allowed to work in Canada during the co-op program. Many colleges also provide support to their students in finding a job during the full-time study (co-op) process.
Earnings while working in the co-op program are calculated based on the Canadian minimum wage. The Canadian Government’s minimum wages vary by province. As of 2023, the minimum wage per hour is around CAD 15 in Ontario and British Columbia, which are among its major provinces.
Based on the minimum wage, students can earn a minimum of 1,200 CAD per month during part-time working periods and a minimum of 2,400 CAD per month during full-time working periods. These earnings will contribute to covering your living expenses and accommodation costs in Canada. Remember, your earnings may be much higher than the hourly wages that your workplaces will give you.
The Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
The post-graduation work permit is a right that allows students to work legally in the country after graduating from a school in Canada. Students can have the right to work in the country for up to 3 years after their certificate programs with PGWP documents.