Co-op involves three partners: the employer, the college and the student. The success of the co-op partnership is dependent upon a mutual commitment from all parties and the partnership cannot be altered without the knowledge and consent of all parties.

Employers are responsible for ensuring the following:

• Providing students with meaningful employment related to their field of study.
• Providing remuneration for work performed and any benefits as appropriate. The employer’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) coverage is applicable to co-op students as they are considered employees during their work terms.
• Providing accurate, informative job descriptions to stimulate student interest.
• Providing an orientation to familiarize students with their work environments, job responsibilities, organizational policies and procedures, etc.
• Discussing and approving the students’ performance and practice goals at the beginning of each work term.
• Providing students with supervision and training by individuals who understand and are interested in co-op.
• Providing mid-term and final performance feedback of the students.
• Advising Experiential Learning (EL) immediately of any job-related performance issues (i.e., attendance, punctuality, and quality of work).
• Providing increasing responsibilities in successive work terms for returning students.