Co-operative and Experiential Education Employer Impact Awards

This award recognizes an employer who improves the representation, participation and engagement of equity within their community by advancing programs, policies and processes that foster an equitable, diverse and inclusive workplace. The recipient of this award considers equity, diversity and inclusion in their recruitment strategies and company culture. They also take initiative to directly address systemic barriers to equity and inclusion, ensuring individuals with diverse perspectives, experiences and identities have equal opportunities.

Grading rubric

Points are allocated based on how effectively the application describes:

• How the organization advances and promotes equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism and/or Indigenization.
• How recruitment, hiring, training and management practices of co-op students reflect equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism and/or Indigenization.
• The projects or initiatives that co-op students lead, supported or helped implement that were related to advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism and/or Indigenization.

Suggestions for an effective application:

• Clearly describe how your organization embeds equitable recruitment and selection practices into your hiring processes.
• Explain how your organization embeds principles of equity into its performance evaluation of co-op students.
• Provide a summary of specific supports offered to co-op students in your workplace who are experiencing equity-related barriers or challenges (e.g., racism, sexism, ableism). Best answers will include ways your organization addresses microaggressions and any other forms of discrimination.
• Describe how equity is embedded into other regular practices (e.g., conducting meetings, creating accessible documents, use of pronouns, provision of accommodations, etc.).
• Outline the practices your organization is undertaking to build its capacity on equity, anti-racism, decolonization, disability justice, 2SLGBTQ+ allyship, trans-centric practices and more.
• Clearly identify how students expand and transfer their expertise to establish and deliver solutions in your workplace (e.g., How can students translate their academic learning and past work experiences to solve problems and contribute to your organization?)
• Share practical examples to demonstrate how your organization equips and empowers students to be successfully prepared for a complex future workforce.
• Outline any opportunities or activities your organization provides for students to build relationships that aid in their learning, wellness and continued development.
• Ensure examples relate to a work term that has happened over the past year.

Please note: To be considered for an Employer Impact Award, your organization must have received an average overall Work Term Satisfaction rating of seven or higher from students (if applicable).

This award recognizes an employer who values the integration of industry and academic knowledge to inspire innovation among a new generation. The recipient of this award will offer opportunities for students to align their academic learning with related work experiences.

Grading rubric

Points are allocated based on how effectively the application describes:

• How the organization uses co-op students to encourage and enable innovation.
• The innovative programs, management styles or projects the organization has undertaken.
• The innovative and entrepreneurial projects in which co-op students have participated in.

Suggestions for an effective application:

• Describe how your organization thrives through innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Explain why your organization benefits from the application of academic experience by the innovative students you hire.
• Examples detailing student application of academic learning in the workplace, resulting in growth or continued skills development.
• Clearly identify how students are able to expand and transfer their expertise to establish and deliver solutions in your workplace (i.e., how can they translate their academic learning and past work experiences to solve problems and contribute to your organization).
• Share practical examples to demonstrate how your organization equips and empowers students to be successfully prepared for a complex future workforce.
• Outline any opportunities or activities you provide for students to build relationships that aid in their learning, wellness and continued development.
• Ensure examples relate to a work term that has happened over the past year.

Please note: To be considered for an Employer Impact Award, your organization must have received an average overall Work Term Satisfaction rating of seven or higher from students (if applicable).

This award recognizes an employer who embraces global excellence and experience within their organization. The recipient of this award must provide a detailed example of a time they utilized the global expertise and/or cultural sensitivity of one or more students to create an impact in the workplace or community.

Note: Organizations do not need to have locations outside of Canada, or international business operations, to be eligible for this award. We encourage Canadian-based companies who leverage international knowledge from international co-op students, or co-op students who interact with international partners during their work term, to apply.

Grading rubric

Points are allocated based on how effectively the application describes:

• How the organization provides a global focus for students. 

• The opportunities for international experiences, or exposure to international markets and/or knowledge, for students. 

• Co-op student involvement in internationally focused projects. 

Suggestions for an effective application:

• Include a summary of relevant examples detailing how students with international perspectives have worked on projects contributing to the efficiency of your organization. (Examples can be related to the use of international experience associated with language, culture, socioeconomics, demographics, etc.). 
• Identify how students expand and transfer their expertise to establish and deliver solutions in your workplace (i.e., how can they translate their academic learning and past work experiences to solve problems and contribute to your organization).
• Share practical examples to demonstrate how your organization equips and empowers students to be successfully prepared for a complex future workforce.
• Outline any opportunities or activities your organization provides for students to build relationships that aid in their learning, wellness and continued development.
• Ensure examples relate to a work term that has happened over the past year.

Please note: To be considered for an Employer Impact Award, your organization must have received an average overall Work Term Satisfaction rating of seven or higher from students (if applicable).

This award recognizes an employer who encourages student excellence in research and analysis, potentially leading to meaningful impact on the world. The recipient of this award will provide
students with an understanding of the importance of conducting credible research according to sound methodologies in the process for change.

Grading rubric

Points are allocated based on how effectively the application describes:

• How co-op students are valuable to the research process.

• The value and potential impact that co-op students had on the research being conducted.

• Specific research projects to which co-op students have contributed.

Suggestions for an effective application:

• Include a description outlining how your organization conducts research and analysis that could significantly improve local and/or global communities and economies.
• Provide examples to support the ways your organization encourages student excellence in the field of research and analysis, allowing students to participate in projects that make an impact on society.
• Identify how students expand and transfer their expertise to establish and deliver solutions in your workplace (i.e., how can they translate their academic learning and past work experiences to solve problems and contribute to your organization).
• Share practical examples to demonstrate how your organization equips and empowers students to be successfully prepared for a complex future workforce.
• Outline any opportunities or activities your organization provides for students to build relationships that aid in their learning, wellness and continued development.
• Ensure examples relate to a work term that has happened over the past year.

Please note: To be considered for an Employer Impact Award, your organization must have received an average overall Work Term Satisfaction rating of seven or higher from students (if applicable).

This award recognizes an employer for their commitment to providing students with experiences that align with meaningful experiences that contribute to advancing environmental sustainability goals. The recipient of this award will demonstrate a strong passion for offering work opportunities that focus on building a better world for people and the planet.

Grading rubric

Points are allocated based on how effectively the application describes:

• How co-op students have made meaningful contributions to advancing sustainability goals through the organization.

• The companywide environmental sustainability strategies that impact/affect students working in their organization.

• Specific projects and changes that co-op students have helped complete.

Suggestions for an effective application:

• Provide evidence that the opportunities your organization provides for co-op students empowers them to make meaningful contributions toward a global mission for change.
• Include a summary of relevant examples where students were involved in projects that promote environmentally-sustainable development.
• Identify how students expand and transfer their expertise to establish and deliver solutions in your workplace (i.e., how can they translate their academic learning and past work experiences to solve problems and contribute to your organization).
• Share practical examples to demonstrate how your organization equips and empowers students to be successfully prepared for a complex future workforce.
• Outline any opportunities or activities your organization provides for students to build relationships that aid in their learning, wellness and continued development.
• Ensure examples relate to a work term that has happened over the past year.

Please note: To be considered for an Employer Impact Award, your organization must have received an average overall Work Term Satisfaction rating of seven or higher from students (if applicable).

This award recognizes an employer who has made a significant impact on the University of Waterloo’s student community. The recipient of this award will provide stimulating work terms in positive, thriving environments, understanding the importance of skills development through experiential learning. Their company culture and values will focus on preparing the next generation of talent for the future of work.

Grading rubric

Points are allocated based on how effectively the application describes:

• The overall positive impact the organization has on their co-op students.

• The programs and initiatives designed for co-op students.

• The contributions that co-op students have made to the organization.

Suggestions for an effective application:

• Explain why your organization values the contributions, empowerment and growth of the future workforce.

• Provide proof that the students your organization hires are offered opportunities to grow and thrive during their work term.

• Include examples related to professional development and training, upskilling and reskilling, problem-solving and critical thinking, or other experiences that prepare students for their future careers.

• Explain and provide examples of any health and wellness programs your organization has in place that directly benefit the co-op students you employ.

• Identify how students expand and transfer their expertise to establish and deliver solutions in your workplace (i.e., how can they translate their academic learning and past work experiences to solve problems and contribute to your organization).
• Share practical examples to demonstrate how your organization equips and empowers students to be successfully prepared for a complex future workforce.
• Outline any opportunities or activities your organization provides for students to build relationships that aid in their learning, wellness and continued development.
• Ensure examples relate to a work term that has happened over the past year.

Please note: To be considered for an Employer Impact Award, your organization must have received an average overall Work Term Satisfaction rating of seven or higher from students (if applicable).