Student Support

Co-operative Education

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Students. Employers. Work-Integrated Learning.

Co-operative Education at CNA

Connect classroom learning with meaningful paid work experience. Whether you are a student preparing for a work term or an employer looking to hire emerging talent, the Co-operative Education team helps turn opportunities into real career growth.

The Co-operative Education Department at College of the North Atlantic is part of the Work Integrated Learning Connections Office and supports academic, professional and personal growth by creating meaningful work experiences that complement classroom learning.

Co-operative Education at CNA

Co-operative Education alternates academic semesters with paid, program-relevant work experience. Depending on the program, students may complete one to three work terms that are usually 12 to 16 weeks in length. Co-op begins on the first day of a student's program and helps bridge the gap between education and industry.

A better way to learn, work and connect

The Co-operative Education Department at College of the North Atlantic supports academic, professional and personal growth by creating meaningful work experiences that complement classroom learning. Co-op programs alternate academic semesters with paid, program-relevant work experience and follow CEWIL Canada guidelines.

12-16 Weeks

Typical paid work terms alternate with academic semesters.

Program Relevant

Work experiences align with the student's field of study.

Education + Industry

Co-op helps students build confidence, workplace skills and industry connections.

Featured for Students

Build your career while you study

Co-operative Education gives students a more complete learning experience by combining classroom study with paid, program-relevant work experience.

Through co-op, students can strengthen technical skills, build confidence, explore career options, connect with employers, and graduate with real experience already on their resume.

Paid Work-integrated learning

12-16 Weeks Typical work term length

Career Ready Experience before graduation

Why students choose co-op

Gain real workplace experience before graduation
Build your resume with relevant industry experience
Develop professional confidence and employability skills
Make valuable connections with employers
Earn money while completing your program

CNA co-op students gaining real workplace experience

CNA students gaining hands-on experience in real workplaces across Newfoundland and Labrador.

What you gain through co-op

Industry connections

Meet employers, build your professional network, and create connections that can lead to future opportunities.

Applied learning

Use the knowledge and skills you learn in class in real workplace settings tied to your program area.

Stronger resume

Add relevant paid experience to your resume before graduation and stand out when applying for jobs.

Career exploration

Discover what kind of work environment fits you best and gain a clearer picture of your future direction.

Income while learning

Earn money during work terms while continuing to build your education and career path.

Exclusive opportunities

Access work-integrated learning job postings and support services designed specifically for co-op students.

Your co-op journey

1

Start early

Think about your goals, interests, and the type of work experience you want from the beginning of your program.

2

Apply with support

Search and apply for program-relevant opportunities with guidance from the Co-op Office.

3

Complete your work term

Take part in meaningful paid work experience that supports both academic progress and professional growth.

4

Reflect and grow

Complete post-work term requirements, reflect on your experience, and use it to shape your next step.

Your responsibilities

Be actively engaged in pre-work term, active work term, and post-work term requirements.
Maintain timely communication with the Co-op Office and employers.
Demonstrate professionalism in all interactions.
Take ownership of your job search plan with support from the Co-op Office.
Commit to your learning goals and professional development.
Abide by CEWIL Canada Ethical Recruitment Guidelines .

How CNA supports students

Provides strong technical learning in an inclusive, safe, and welcoming environment.
Supports employability skill development through the Co-op Office.
Coordinates transparent and unbiased job competition processes.
Builds industry partnerships for co-op work term opportunities.
Monitors and supports students throughout the work term experience.
Follow CEWIL Canada Ethical Recruitment Guidelines .

Important: International students considering co-op placements should review permit and work authorization requirements before beginning any work term.

Employers

Hire talent. Build capacity. Shape the future workforce.

CNA co-op students bring fresh ideas, relevant skills, and energy to your workplace while gaining meaningful experience in their field of study.

Whether you need short-term support or are looking to develop future employees, co-op students offer a flexible, cost-effective solution to meet your workforce needs.

Express Interest Information Package

What students can support

Research and data analysis
Technology and IT projects
Marketing and communications
Field and lab work
Business operations and support
Health and community services

Why hire a CNA co-op student?

Fresh perspective

Students bring new ideas, innovative thinking, and energy to your organization.

Cost-effective hiring

Reduce recruitment costs and take advantage of wage subsidy programs.

Future talent pipeline

Evaluate potential long-term hires before making permanent hiring decisions.

Flexible workforce

Bring in support during peak periods, projects, or temporary workload increases.

Project support

Assign students to meaningful tasks that advance your business objectives.

Industry partnership

Build long-term relationships with CNA and contribute to workforce development.

Hiring options

1

Employer coordinated

Best for employers managing their own hiring process.

Connect with a Co-op Coordinator to identify suitable programs.
Send job postings directly to selected programs.
Review applications and conduct interviews independently.
Make offers directly to students.
Notify the Co-op Office of offers for tracking and eligibility.

2

Co-op office coordinated

Best for employers who want support managing the hiring process.

Discuss hiring needs with a Co-op Coordinator.
Positions are posted to targeted student groups.
Applications are collected and forwarded to the employer.
Employer selects candidates for interviews.
Co-op Office coordinates interview scheduling.
Employer conducts interviews and selects candidate.
Co-op Office confirms offer acceptance with the student.

3

Student coordinated

When a student identifies their own work term opportunity.

Employer provides job description to student or Co-op Office
Position is reviewed and approved by a Co-op Coordinator
Coordinator may contact employer to confirm details
Once approved, the student is confirmed for the position
Student is removed from other job competitions

Employer responsibilities

Provide meaningful, program-relevant work experience.
Support learning through hands-on tasks.
Mentor and guide students professionally.
Communicate with the Co-op Office when needed.
Evaluate student performance fairly.
Follow CEWIL Canada Ethical Recruitment Guidelines .

What you gain

Access to motivated, skilled students.
Support from the Co-op Office throughout the process.
Opportunity to test future hires.
Reduced hiring risk.
Stronger connection to education and workforce development.

Wage Subsidy

Funding support for hiring co-op students

Hiring a CNA co-op student can be a smart investment for employers. Provincial and federal funding programs may help offset wage costs while supporting meaningful paid work experiences.

Explore available options to learn what support may be available, who qualifies, and how to get started. Funding is limited and administered on a first-come, first-served basis.

At a glance

Provincial and federal funding options may be available
Support is designed for paid co-op work placements
Eligibility depends on employer type, location, and student criteria
Some funding programs have application and reimbursement requirements

Funding amount

Eligible employers may receive 50% of minimum wage. Eligible not-for-profit organizations may receive 100% of minimum wage.

Location requirement

Work terms must take place in Newfoundland and Labrador and meet co-op placement requirements.

Placement length

Placements must meet minimum co-op requirements of 12 weeks and/or 420 hours, with funding up to 12 weeks and 35 hours per week.

Eligibility highlights

Registered Canadian businesses may qualify.
Eligible not-for-profit organizations may qualify at 100% of minimum wage.
Employers must operate in Newfoundland and Labrador with 100 or fewer employees.
Municipal governments with 100 or fewer employees are eligible.
Federal, provincial, and territorial governments and their agencies do not qualify.
Priority may be given to first-time applicants.
Project submissions must be directed toward a particular field of study.
Employers must be committed to paying the student for the role.
Employers must provide a work experience that meets minimum co-op requirements of 12 weeks and/or 420 hours.
Immediate family members are normally not eligible to be hired in firms owned or operated by relatives.
Employers may hire both domestic and international students, provided the student is eligible to work in Canada.

Students

Must be enrolled in a College of the North Atlantic co-operative education program.
Must be academically eligible for a work term.
Must be 16 years of age or older and eligible to work in Canada.
Immediate family members of applicants are not eligible to receive funding.
Work term must be located in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Process and requirements

It is the employer's responsibility to submit a SECPAP application if they wish to be considered for funding.
Positions funded must not be financed under any other sources of assistance from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Stacking with federal funding may be allowed, but it is the employer's responsibility to disclose all funding received and total combined funding cannot exceed 100%.
Once the work term begins, organizations submit reimbursement claim forms with proof of payment to the Co-op Office.
All required documentation and claim instructions are provided by the Co-op Office after approval.
Final claims must be submitted no later than two weeks after the end of the work term.
Applications and claims cannot be accepted by fax and should be emailed to coop@cna.nl.ca or submitted through your Co-op Office contact.
College of the North Atlantic reserves the right to terminate funding commitments if original proposals and objectives are not being met.

Important: SECPAP does not cover mandatory employment-related costs (MERC) such as EI, CPP, vacation pay, or workers' compensation.

SECPAP Application Form SECPAP Reimbursement Claim Form

Funding support

Employers may receive up to 50% of student wages, or up to 70% for underrepresented groups, depending on the program and partner.

Placement duration

Funding is typically available for placements up to 16 weeks, depending on the delivery partner and program guidelines.

Eligible employers

Registered Canadian businesses, not-for-profit organizations, hospitals, and post-secondary institutions may qualify, depending on the partner.

Eligibility requirements

Employers must provide a meaningful, program-related work experience.
Employers must be committed to paying the student in full during the placement.
Employers must have the financial capacity to pay wages before reimbursement (if applicable).
Federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments do not qualify.
Students must be enrolled in a recognized Canadian post-secondary institution.
Students must be required to complete a co-op or work-integrated learning placement.
Students must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or persons with refugee protection.
International students are not eligible under this program.

Program considerations

Funding cannot exceed 100% of wage costs.
Stacking with provincial funding may be allowed if fully disclosed.
A placement cannot receive other federal wage funding (e.g. Canada Summer Jobs, CEWS).
Funding rules, timelines, and processes vary by delivery partner.
Employers must apply directly through an approved SWP partner organization.

SWP partner organizations

Biotalent Canada

CAHRC - AgriTalent

EHRC - Empowering Futures

Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium

Food Processing Skills Canada

ICTC - WIL Digital Subsidy

MIHR - Gearing Up

OCC - Talent Opportunities Program

Technation - Career Ready Program

Tourism HR Canada

Trucking HR Canada

Venture for Canada - Internship Program

Need help choosing the right funding option?

Connect with the Co-op Office to discuss your organization's needs.

Our team can guide you through available programs and application steps.

Co-op programs at CNA

Engineering Technology

Business / IT

Software Development (Co-op)

Natural Resources & Industrial Trades

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Co-operative Education Coordinators

CNA's Co-operative Education team supports students by connecting classroom learning with paid, program-relevant work experience. Through structured work terms, students alternate between academic study and real-world employment, gaining hands-on skills in their field.

Our Co-operative Education Coordinators

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CNA Shorts

Quick highlights that connect student growth, career readiness, and the kind of support that helps learners turn classroom experience into workplace confidence.

From 2015 to 2017, my co-op placement at CBlue Software Inc. provided the hands-on experience that transitioned into my first full-time job in tech. Working on real-world applications gave me the skills and confidence to grow in the industry. That opportunity helped shape my career and set me on the path to where I am today.

Tim Bonnell
Software Development Co-Op Graduate

Hiring co-op students provides immense value both to the student and to the company. Students are given the opportunity to apply their academic knowledge to real world problems and businesses benefit from the unique perspectives students bring with them.

Jennifer Vinnedge
Recruiting Specialist, Nasdaq Verafin

The team was welcoming and supportive, providing me with valuable mentorship and insight into the industry. Through this experience, I strengthened my understanding of construction processes, safety protocols, and the importance of attention to detail in civil engineering projects. I highly recommend co-op programs.

Christopher McCarthy
Civil Engineering Technology Graduate

As an employer, we have been hiring co-op students from CNA since 2000, employing more than 70 students during that time. Many of the co-op students we hired became permanent employees upon graduation.

Liesa Collier
Manager of Software Development, StandardAero