The future of work is changing. The gig economy, automation and the increase in remote work are just a few of the reasons why it’s a critical time for small businesses and startups to invest in the right kind of talent to help their operations succeed now and in the future.
At the University of Waterloo, we help businesses of every size recognize and leverage the value that co-op students can bring to their workplace: extra hands to advance a project, providing fresh perspectives and energy, or driving advancement by applying digital skills and new technology.
With Waterloo’s job board, organizations can begin building their talent pipelines and hiring students with the skills and expertise to work in roles across departments and industries. Our dedicated team is committed to help make finding the right talent for your business go from an uphill battle to a natural fit with the rhythm of your organization.
Top reasons to hire from Waterloo
It’s easy to find the talent you need.More than 25,000 co-op students are available to be hired each year.
It's an investment in your business.On average, companies see a return of $2 for every $1 invested from hiring Waterloo co-op students.
It's never been more affordable.With current grants, tax credits and funding programs covering 50 – 70% of a student's salary.
It's always free to post jobs.Recruit Waterloo co-op students, new graduates and alumni using one system.
How does co-op work?
1) Register and postAffordable way to fill your talent needsAccess 25,000+ students available for full-time positions.
2) Interview and hireTalent from 120+ accredited programsHire a student for 12 to 16 weeks.
3) RepeatStudents are available year-roundEasily repost your job for the next work term on WaterlooWorks.
Join our Co-op Fundamentals Info Session
Gain insights on recruiting co-op talent, navigating Waterloo's hiring process, applying for funding opportunities and how we can support you.
Jobs Waterloo co-op students can fill
Waterloo students have the skills and expertise to fill roles in various areas such as marketing and communications, research and analysis, web and applications design development and business support services. Learn more about areas students can support in a few common job categories below.
TIP FOR POSTING YOUR JOB: Employers can use clusters to target students they believe would be best suited for the job. Clusters are sorted into academic (course specific) and thematic (industry specific). Learn more about clusters and how to use them to advertise your job.
Business and Administration Support Services
Sample job responsibilities:
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Provide customer support (emails, live chat, phone)
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Prepare and maintain accurate and complete files and records (e.g., assist with file set-up)
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Develop, integrate and maintain a proper HRIS system to organize employee records
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Post, update and remove job ads from job boards, careers pages and social networks
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Analyzing operational processes to drive continuous improvement for quality and capacity issues
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Track project schedules, key dates and reporting deadlines
| Sample thematic job clusters: |
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| Business administration |
Finance & investment |
| Human resources |
Accounting & financial auditing |
| Marketing & communications |
Insurance & risk management |
| Sales & business development |
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Engineering
Sample jobs:
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Product Development Associate
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Engineering Design Assistant
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Engineering Technician
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Mechanical Designer
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Data Engineer Assistant
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Systems Design Engineering Associate
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Structural Engineering Assistant
Sample job responsibilities:
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Lead documentation & revisions
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Research and source components, materials and finishes
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Sketch, conceptualize and prototype design solutions
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Provide CAD support, engineering specifications, calculations and project management
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Design and develop software, electrical, and mechanical specifications
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Test prototype systems
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Write design documentation and participate in design reviews
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Assist with third-party testing standards
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Structural analysis and design
| Sample thematic job clusters: |
|---|
| Project & process management |
Manufacturing & process engineering |
| Supply chain management & logistics |
Construction & infrastructure development |
Marketing and Communications
Sample jobs:
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Marketing Coordinator
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Digital Communications Assistant
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Social Media Coordinator
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Sales Communications Specialist
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Technical Writer
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Corporate Communications Coordinator
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Project Assistant
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Digital Business Analyst
Sample job responsibilities:
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Write blog posts and email marketing messages
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Research and implement content recommendations for organic SEO success
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Track, report and analyze website analytics and pay-per-click initiatives and campaigns
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Co-ordinate and create content for social media campaigns across various platforms (e.g., Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn)
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Produce visual assets, including graphics (digital and print), videos and photos
| Sample thematic job clusters: |
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| Marketing & communications |
Environment & business |
| Digital graphic media |
Professional & technical writing |
| Website design & development |
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Research and Analysis
Sample job responsibilities:
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Interpret and analyze data to identify and communicate opportunities for improvement
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Track platform information by collecting, compiling and summarizing data, working with analytics software to monitor site traffic and determine conversion rates
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Perform routine updates using web application programming interfaces (APIs)
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Complete website audits
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Conduct market research and competitive analysis
| Sample thematic job clusters: |
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| Data analytics, statistical analysis & mathematical optimization |
Information science & data management |
| Data science |
|
Web and Application Design and Development
Sample job responsibilities:
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Build and test computer software or hardware components for information processing communication and storage
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Develop website and e-commerce platforms
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Create technical and end-user documentation for web applications
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Assist in quality assurance testing and user testing for content and layout to recommend ongoing improvements to the user experience
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Troubleshoot software and hardware issues
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Analyze, design, develop and test usable, accessible web applications
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Create and maintain complex software systems
| Sample thematic job clusters: |
|---|
| Computing: information systems |
Digital & graphic media |
| Computing: software |
Software engineering |
| Computing: quality assurance |
Website design & development |
| Computing: hardware |
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Don’t see what you’re looking for? Connect with us. With students from 120+ programs available each term, we can help you find the talent you need.
Industry-leading companies hire co-op students
Waterloo works with small businesses, startups, incubators and local Chambers of Commerce to help businesses of every size hire from Waterloo.
Here’s a small snapshot of organizations that we work with:
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Remitbee
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Curvegrid
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Hockeystick Inc.
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Vidyard
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Lumos Health
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Athos
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Appficiency Inc.
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Odaia Intelligence Inc.
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Sipstack Inc.
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Pexhouse.com
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CiteRight
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Trexo Robotics
Watch our recent webinar about entrepreneurship in Canada
Top wage subsidies and tax incentives for hiring co-op
STUDENT WORK PLACEMENT PROGRAM (SWPP)
RECEIVE UP TO $5,000 PER CO-OP STUDENT
Through SWPP, organizations in Canada that offer full-time employment opportunities for full-time
Canadian post-secondary students can receive wage subsidies. Several partners that deliver this funding for startups and small businesses include Venture for Canada and Ontario Chamber of Commerce.
| How much is this funding? |
Funding will cover up to 50% (up to a maximum of $5,000 per placement)
- Example:
- If you hire a student to work 35 hours a week at $18.00/hour for 16 weeks. Your total cost for wages will be $10,080.
- SWPP will then give you $5,000 at the end of the work term in wage subsidies.
- This means that your cost to hire a full-time staff member for 16 weeks is only $5,080!
Students hired from under-represented groups may be eligible to have up to 70% of their wages subsidized. This is determined on a case-by-case basis at the end of each work term
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| Am I eligible? |
- There is SWPP funding available to employers in all industries
- Positions must be net new to qualify for SWPP funding (i.e.: positions over and above what employers hired last year at the same time)
- Employers can hire students in any program (i.e.: Arts, Business, Science...etc.)
- Students must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or a person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of employment to qualify for funding from SWPP
- Provincial and territorial governments are NOT eligible for SWPP funding
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| How can I apply? |
You apply directly to each funding partner. We've put together a helpful list of details for all the funding partners. Take a look for more information! |
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| What's the application deadline? |
Applications are open! Deadlines vary by funding partner. |
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ONTARIO CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION TAX CREDIT
$3,000 TAX CREDIT PER CO-OP STUDENT
Other provincial-based tax credits and incentives are available based on region. (Learn more)
| How much is the tax credit? |
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Large corporations based in Ontario can claim 25% of expenditures, up to $3,000 per work placement. Small businesses can claim 30%, up to $3,000.
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Each work placement needs to be a minimum of 10 weeks and a maximum of 4 months.
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The tax credit is per eligible work placement and there is no cap. If an organization decides to hire for an eight-month work term, or two students for four-month work terms, both would be considered as two work placements and would be eligible for a total tax credit of up to $6,000.
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| Am I eligible? |
Any Ontario employer hiring students from a post-secondary co-op program is eligible. |
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| How can I apply? |
Corporations claim the tax credit on Schedule 550 of their T2 corporation income tax return. Unincorporated businesses claim the credit on Form ON479 in their tax return. Learn more about the forms you need to submit on the government website. |
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| What's the application deadline? |
Tax season each year. |
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A tip to maximize your funding
Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) funding can be combined with the Ontario
Co-operative Education Tax Credit. This means that you might be eligible to receive both types of funding.
For example: for each student you hire, you could receive up to $5,000 in SWPP funding plus an Ontario Co-operative Education Tax Credit of up to $3,000 in expenditures not covered by SWPP!
I want to learn more! Send me co-op hiring information:
We can help you find the right talent. Get in touch with Emily!
Emily is a Business Developer for the University of Waterloo's co-operative education program.
She can provide you with guidance and answer questions you may have about hiring from Waterloo.
Email: emily.burgess@uwaterloo.ca
Phone: (226) 220-1766
