University of Waterloo

Co-operative and Experiential Education Employer Impact Awards

Impact award diamond shaped glass trophy

The Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE) Employer Impact Awards recognize and honour employers for their industry excellence and the incredible opportunities they provide to University of Waterloo students.

With a global network of more than 7,500 distinguished employers in over 65 countries, CEE’s employers provide quality work-integrated learning experiences—as well as opportunities for growth, training and development—to more than 25,000 students from Waterloo. Our students are successfully prepared to enter the future workforce thanks to the commitment and guidance of our valued employers.

Register for the 2022 Employer Impact Awards ceremony

Our students are successfully prepared to enter the future workforce thanks to the commitment and guidance of our valued employers. We hope you can join us as we celebrate our incredible employer champions and hear the first public acknowledgments of our 2022 award recipients.

Nominate your organization

The CEE Employer Impact Awards recognize and honour small, medium and large organizations for their industry excellence and the incredible opportunities they provide to University of Waterloo students. To be eligible, your organization must:

be registered as a University of Waterloo employer.
have provided a work term to one or more students over the past year.

There is no fee to submit your nomination to be considered for the CEE Employer Impact Awards! See the award categories below.

Nominations are closed for the 2022 awards.

Award categories and criteria

Impact in equity, diversity and inclusion

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.

Criteria:

Clearly describe how you embed equitable recruitment and selection practices into your hiring processes.
Explain how you embed principles of equity into your performance evaluation of co-op students.
Provide a summary of specific supports you offer 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 ‘jokes’, microaggressions and more subtle forms of discrimination.
Describe how you embed equity into your 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 you provide for students to build relationships that aid in their learning, wellness and continued development.
Ensure your examples relate to a work term that happened over the past year.
If applicable, please share details regarding your relationship with the University of Waterloo campus community (e.g., faculty, advancement or alumni engagement, employer information sessions, partnership with the Work-Learn Institute, Work-Integrated Learning Programs, Centre for Career Development, etc.).
If applicable, list the range of academic programs of the students you employ to highlight any relevant interdisciplinary hiring.

Please note: If applicable, an average overall Work Term Satisfaction rating of seven or higher, as completed by students at the end of their work term, will factor into the selection process.

Impact in innovation

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.

Criteria:

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 your examples relate to a work term that happened over the past year.
If applicable, please share details regarding your relationship with the University of Waterloo campus community (e.g., faculty, advancement or alumni engagement, employer information sessions, partnership with the Work-Learn Institute, Work-Integrated Learning Programs, Centre for Career Development, etc.).
If applicable, list the range of academic programs of the students you employ to highlight any relevant interdisciplinary hiring.

Please note: If applicable, an average overall Work Term Satisfaction rating of seven or higher, as completed by students at the end of their work term, will factor into the selection process.

Impact in international excellence

This award recognizes an employer who embraces global excellence and experience within their organization. The recipient of this award should be able to 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.

Criteria:

Please note: international excellence can be identified as inbound or outbound global perspectives (i.e., a company outside of Canada that hires students who are not nationals of the given country; or a company within Canada that hires international students).
Proof and insights to explain why international knowledge increases your company’s ability to achieve goals and initiatives.
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.).
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 your examples relate to a work term that happened over the past year.
If applicable, please share details regarding your relationship with the University of Waterloo campus community (e.g., faculty, advancement or alumni engagement, employer information sessions, partnership with the Work-Learn Institute, Work-Integrated Learning Programs, Centre for Career Development, etc.).
If applicable, list the range of academic programs of the students you employ to highlight any relevant interdisciplinary hiring.

Please note: If applicable, an average overall Work Term Satisfaction rating of seven or higher, as completed by students at the end of their work term, will factor into the selection process.

Impact in research

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.

Criteria:

A description outlining how your organization conducts research and analysis that could significantly improve local and/or global communities and economies.
Examples to support the ways you encourage student excellence in the field of research and analysis, allowing students to participate in projects that make an impact on society.
The research conducted could relate to any field, including health, quality of life, society, culture, education, economy, policy, etc.
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 your examples relate to a work term that happened over the past year.
If applicable, please share details regarding your relationship with the University of Waterloo campus community (e.g., faculty, advancement or alumni engagement, employer information sessions, partnership with the Work-Learn Institute, Work-Integrated Learning Programs, Centre for Career Development, etc.).
If applicable, list the range of academic programs of the students you employ to highlight any relevant interdisciplinary hiring.

Please note: If applicable, an average overall Work Term Satisfaction rating of seven or higher, as completed by students at the end of their work term, will factor into the selection process.

Impact in sustainability

This award recognizes an employer for their commitment to providing student experiences that align with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development 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.

Criteria:

Proof that your company values and beliefs align with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, providing examples of your organization’s notable achievements in this field.
Evidence that the opportunities you provide for co-op students empower them to make meaningful contributions toward a global mission for change.
A summary of relevant examples where students were involved in projects that promote sustainable 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 your examples relate to a work term that happened over the past year.
If applicable, please share details regarding your relationship with the University of Waterloo campus community (e.g., faculty, advancement or alumni engagement, employer information sessions, partnership with the Work-Learn Institute, Work-Integrated Learning Programs, Centre for Career Development, etc.).
If applicable, list the range of academic programs of the students you employ to highlight any relevant interdisciplinary hiring.

Please note: If applicable, an average overall Work Term Satisfaction rating of seven or higher, as completed by students at the end of their work term, will factor into the selection process.

Impact on student experience

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.

Criteria:

Explain why your company values the contributions, empowerment and growth of the future workforce.
Provide proof that the students you hire are offered opportunities to grow and thrive during their work term.
Examples can be related to professional development and training, upskilling and reskilling, problem solving and critical thinking, and 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.
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 your examples relate to a work term that happened over the past year.
If applicable, please share details regarding your relationship with the University of Waterloo campus community (e.g., faculty, advancement or alumni engagement, employer information sessions, partnership with the Work-Learn Institute, Work-Integrated Learning Programs, Centre for Career Development, etc.).
If applicable, list the range of academic programs of the students you employ to highlight any relevant interdisciplinary hiring.

Please note: If applicable, an average overall Work Term Satisfaction rating of seven or higher, as completed by students at the end of their work term, will factor into the selection process.

Award prizing

CEE Employer Impact Award recipients will receive:

Acknowledgement of your award displayed on a plaque in the Tatham Centre
Recognition at the awards ceremony
Award trophy and recognition package
A short video highlighting your industry excellence and contributions to the students employed by your organization (shareable across all platforms)
A package of digital assets (including badges, images and written content) for use on your company website, social media, advertising and email signatures
A tag in WaterlooWorks so that students know you’ve won the award
Story features on the University of Waterloo's websites and social media

Honourable mention recipients will receive:

A certificate of acknowledgement
Recognition of your achievement at the CEE Employer Impact Awards ceremony
Acknowledgement on the CEE Impact Award recipients and honourable mentions webpage
Recognition in a story featured on the University of Waterloo's websites and on social media