About Cooperative Education

Cooperative Education provides career related work experience in business, industry, public and community agency work situations. This academic program integrates classroom study with a specific period of related supervised learning. Co-op not only enriches the students education, it helps to provide employers with students better prepared to meet the challenges of a changing workforce.

Benefits of Cooperative to the Employers
There are many benefits to the Employer in hiring a CPCC Co-op Student. These benefits include:

• Well-prepared Short-term Employees
• Flexibility with Human Resource Assignments
• Cost-effective Long-term Recruitment
• Access to Candidates with Sought-after-Skills and/or Background
• Increased Staff Diversity
• Partnership with Schools
• Employer Input on Quality and Relevance of Curriculum
• Cost-effective Productivity

Becoming an Employer Partner


The CPCC Co-op Program works with over 700 employers a year, mainly in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg County area. We have students available for placement in 54 curriculum programs.

How Does Co-op Work?

There are three plans by which a student may participate in Co-op, the parallel, alternating or extended day plan. The parallel plan allows the students to work part-time while attending classes part-time or full-time. The alternating plan is one in which students alternate semesters of full-time study with semesters of full-time work. The extended day plan is where the students work full-time, either first, second or third shift, while enrolled part-time at school.

How Can An Employer Become Involved With Co-op?

• Designate a Co-op contact person in your company.
• Decide where Co-op students may be best utilized in your organization.
• Provide a clear job/project description for the work experience.
• Contact the CPCC Co-op Program and allow us to market your positions.
• Review the resumes of candidates sent to you by the Co-op Office.
• Interview the outstanding candidates and make your hiring choice.

• Download and complete the CPCC Co-op Program Employer Position Request Form   (NOTE: The form is in (PDF format))

• Return the completed worksheet to the CPCC Cooperative Education office via one of the following options:

• The form may be attached to an e-mail to:  co-op@cpcc.edu
• The form may be faxed to:  704.330.6201
• The form may be e-mailed to the appropriate co-op coordinator

What Are the Employer's Responsibilities?

• Provide meaningful and challenging work for the student which is closely related to the student's academic program of study.
• Designate a supervisor who will work with the student in achieving the student's learning objectives.
• Provide a safe and appropriate environment.
• Evaluate the student's performance at the end of each semester.
• Allow an on-site visit from a CPCC representative.

Cooperative Education Agreement (PDF format)

How to Prepare for A Student

• Promote the professional development of students.
• Encourage students to be professional toward their internship/co-op efforts.
• Help students develop their professionally related thinking and communication skills.
• Provide students with challenging learning experiences.
• Encourage students to conduct themselves in ways that justify a demeanor of pride and competence.

Wages

• The employers determine wages.
• Consideration of skill level, prior work experience, and academic achievement should be factored when determining salary.
• Some employers provide benefits such as paid parking, medical and health benefits, and bonus compensation for exceptional performance.
• It is highly recommended that Workman's Compensation be provided for all students.
• The state of North Carolina does not require employers to provide Unemployment Insurance for students working in co-op or internship positions.
• Compensation is not regulated by the college; however, with the financial demands placed on today's students, many are looking for some form of remuneration.
  
   

Legal Consideration for the Employer

• Non discrimination in interviewing and selection of students.
• Conduct thorough review of students' skills and abilities.
• Determine if student is employee, independent contractor, or volunteer.
• Maintain proper safety and health standards.
• Maintain workers' compensation/liability insurance to cover students activities.
• Provide adequate training and supervision.

A packet of employer information may be requested from the Co-op Office or by calling the appropriate staff person listed on the Staff Directory.

If employers want to know more about Career Services at CPCC please contact the CPCC Career Center