Work Experience Policy
As indicated in program outlines, some courses at Edison College Canada may require the completion of a work experience. Work experiences may vary in type and length depending on the program. They allow students to obtain practical skills relevant to the learning objectives of the program.
Work experiences can be either classified as practicums, preceptorships, clinical placements, or cooperative placements. Work experience co-ops are paid experiences provided by a co-op host. For this type of work experience, International students will be required to have a Canadian Work Permit.
Practicum Placement
This work experience is a required part of select programs in which the student obtains practical skills relevant to the learning objectives of the program. Please refer to your course outline for program specific details.
Work Experience Prerequisites
The requirements for participation in the Practicum are as follows:
- Successfully completed all courses in their program.
- Completed work experience placement documentation.
- An attendance record of at least 70%.
- Satisfied all financial obligations.
Placement Process
The process by which the student will be placed in a work experience is as follows:
- The college will, prior to the commencement of the Placement, confirm in writing to the host site the number of students, their resumes, the contact information for the student and school coordinator, the dates, the hours, and the preferred locations, for each Placement through an email or online submission depending on the host platform.
- Students will then be placed with consideration of the site's maximum capacity numbers, location and suitability, and sometimes if possible, preference.
Work Experience Agreement
Edison College Canada, the student, and the host organization, will enter into a written agreement detailing each party’s responsibilities and the activities the student will undertake during the practicum. A copy of the agreement will be provided to the student before the start date of the practicum.
- Edison will initiate affiliations, create, manage and oversee contracts, and be responsible for all practicum placements. All placements will be with licensed/recognized facilities.
- Please refer to Practicum Placement Policy & Evaluation Handbook for additional details.
Evaluation Process
The process by which the student will be evaluated in relation to the work experience component is as follows:
- Practicum experience is evaluated through instructor and host supervisor monitoring.
- Full participation is required by each student, and students must complete the allotted hours for each practicum experience as described in the program outline to meet the learning outcomes.
Evaluation Results
The student will be provided with at least one written evaluation in relation to the work experience component.
Work Experience Monitoring
Edison College Canada will monitor the student during the work experience by reviewing (via visit/call to facility):
- Each week whether the student is attending the work experience.
- Each week whether the student is meeting the learning objectives of the program.
- The college will also review feedback with the student as necessary.
- Remedial measures will be implemented as needed to ensure successful completion.
Cooperative Placement
This work experience is a required part of programs that offer co-op placements in which the student obtains practical skills relevant to the learning objectives of the program. Please refer to your course outline for program specific details.
Work Experience Prerequisites
The requirements for participation in the Co-Op work experience are as follows:
- Successfully completed all courses in their program.
- Completed work experience placement documentation.
- An attendance record of at least 70%.
- Satisfied all financial obligations.
- International students must have a Canadian work-study permit.
Placement Process
The process by which the student will be placed in a work experience is as follows:
- Before the start of the co-op semester, students are required to contact the Co-op Program Coordinator to schedule a meeting to discuss their co-op.
- Meet with the Co-op Placement designate to ensure that possible work experience placements match the student’s skills, training and career goals.
- Depending on the program, the college will either arrange contracts or assist students with their job search – see “Work Experience Agreement” below for additional details.
Work Experience Agreement
Edison College Canada, the student, and the host organization, will enter into a written agreement detailing each party’s responsibilities and the activities the student will undertake during the co-op. A copy of the agreement will be provided to the student before the start date of the co-op.
- Depending on the program:
- The college will initiate affiliations, create, manage, and oversee contracts, and be responsible for all co-op placements. All placements will be with licensed/recognized facilities. *OR*
- A co-op job search action plan including a weekly search of job postings and research will be developed by each student.
- Once students have been offered and accepted a co-op job a Co-Op agreement will be created.
- Students must work on the days and times agreed upon with their supervisor.
- Students must conform to the regulations and dress code of the host organization.
Evaluation Process
The process by which the student will be evaluated in relation to the work experience component is as follows:
- The student will provide a monthly Co-Op report describing the newly learnt skills and duties and complete the assessment provided by the Co-Op Coordinator.
- The student will keep and submit a reflective journal of their work progress.
- A final evaluation will be conducted by the host employer supervisor, shared and discussed with the Co-Op Coordinator.
- Full participation is required by each student, and students must complete the allotted hours for each practicum experience as described in the program outline to meet the learning outcomes.
Evaluation Results
The student will be provided with a monthly written evaluation in relation to the work experience component.
Work Experience Monitoring
Edison College Canada will monitor the student during the work experience by reviewing:
- Each week whether the student is attending the work experience.
- Each week whether the student is meeting the learning objectives of the program.
- The Co-Op Coordinator will also review monthly Co-Op reports and discuss them with the student.
Work Experience Objectives
Work experience provides the student with the following advantages:
- Being able to apply knowledge and skills gained in the workplace.
- Strengthening of employable skills.
- Working in their discipline over a meaningful period.
- Gaining organization and time management skills.
- Being responsible for a set of deliverables.
- Gaining insight into how businesses operate.
- Increasing professional and skill-based confidence.
- Establishing contacts and networking for future employment.
Student Responsibilities
As work experiences occur in a professional working environment, presentation will be important and additional requirements may apply.
- Comply with Student Handbook policies and procedures.
- Attend any orientation session prior to work experience.
- Complete required work experience forms and documents.
- Participate in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the work experience.
- Familiarize themselves with the host company’s policies and procedures and follow them.
- Conduct themselves in a professional manner.
- Accept accountability for actions and decisions.
- Recognize the limitations of their own skill set and seek assistance as needed.
- Demonstrate self-direction by actively seeking feedback and new challenges.
- Complete all evaluations as per the agreement.
- Inform the College and their Work Experience Host when unable to attend the work experience.
- Complete and submit all end-of-work experience documentation.
Important Contacts
- President – Dr. Mohammed Baten [email protected] (250) 381-0535
- Operations Manager – Mansi [email protected]
- Campus Director – Rachael McPherson [email protected] (250) 381-0535
Effective Date: January 10, 2025
Revision Date: January 10, 2025