Thanks to generous support from Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL), Edwards business students will have more opportunities to gain valuable work experience while completing their degree.
Over the next five years, FCL will provide $500,000 for the Edwards School of Business Co-operative Education Program, which integrates classroom instruction with real-life work situations. Those benefitting from this funding include third-year Bachelor of Commerce (B.Comm.) and first-year Master of Business Administration (MBA) students.
The announcement was made today at Prairieland Park at the Edwards Co-op Networking Open House—a coming-together of Edwards faculty, staff and students with the local business community.
Since its inception in 2007, the Edwards Co-operative Education Program has secured paid work placements for over 400 students in the private, public and non-profit sectors. FCL has supported the program by hiring 46 students for eight-month, full-time placements. The work placements are often a student’s first exposure to a professional business environment. Besides providing practical experience, the students return to the classroom with a renewed sense of confidence and a wealth of real-life experiences, enhancing the overall student experience. It also improves employability upon graduation. The current employment rate for Edwards co-op alumni is 100 per cent, with 19 alumni becoming permanent FCL employees.