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Career Co-op Diploma Program

Student Information Package

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How to Complete your Co-op Study Term

Step 1. Understand your co-op schedule.

Please review your class schedule. If you have questions about your study term schedule please come visit the registration team in room 601. *If you need to make any schedule changes please contact the registration team as soon as possible.

Step 2. Watch the general student orientation video for information about our school and Vancouver.

https://lcc.issbc.org/our-resource/orientation

Step 3. Review LCC’s policies and procedures.

In your first week of class you will receive a letter of understanding, a course outline, and a copy of LCC’s

attendance policy and a work experience policy. Please review these documents and ask for any clarification if

required.

Step 4. Attend your co-op and elective classes.

It is important that you attend both your co-op classes and elective classes. Please contact your teacher if you

have any concerns about course materials or assignments.

*If students fail to meet the attendance and performance requirements of their courses, they do not qualify

the co-op work component. If attendance is below 80% in elective courses or 85% in diploma courses, you must

arrange make-up classes with your instructor.

Step 5. Start planning for your work term.

Check the approved job list (NOC) binder as your work needs to be related to your study program. Look at the list of previous co-op employers. Attend a mandatory Career Co-op Orientation*. Schedule a free resume and interview consultation if you need help with your job search.

*Please note that before you start your job search you are responsible for purchasing and maintaining valid medical insurance.

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How to Complete your Co-op Work Program

Step 1. When you find a job:

Submit a Career Co-op Work Placement Approval Form. Please check in with the Co-op Coordinator if

you are having difficulty securing a work placement.

Step 2. While you are working:

Hand in a Work Time Sheet signed by your supervisor and the Monthly Progress Report every

month.

Step 3. When you are close to finishing your co-op work term:

Submit Work Placement Evaluation Form

Step 4. Before your program end date:

Make an appointment for your post work tutorial

You can email us at coopwork@LCC.issbc.org to book a date.

Post-work tutorials are usually on Tuesdays from 3:30pm - 4:30pm and there is no extra cost.

Complete your Co-op Tutorial Forms:

Co-op Personal Improvement Plan Form

Co-op Future Work Plan Form

Step 5. Receive your Career Co-op Diploma!

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Understanding your co-op work hours The maximum number of hours you can work during your co-op work term is equal to the total number of

hours you studied.

For example…

If you study for 616 hours you can only work up to 616 hours during your co-op work term.

Your total hours of instruction are included on your Letter of Understanding.

The minimum number of hours you can work to receive your co-op diploma is 16 hours.

Co-op Work Term Checklist To receive your Career Co-op Diploma, you need to complete the following checklist

Your Co-op Work end date is included on your Letter of Acceptance.

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Need help finding a co-op work placement? Schedule a free co-op interview and resume consultation LCC’s Interview & Resume consultations are an opportunity for co-op students to gain skills necessary to successfully enter the Canadian workforce. Students receive useful interview tips and can have their resume and cover letter reviewed. Information about co-op employers and upcoming job fairs is also provided. This service is provided to all co-op students free of cost.

To book an appointment please email: coopwork@LCC.issbc.org

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Frequently Asked Question

1. I received Off Campus Work permission on my study permit. What does this mean? If you have permission on your study permit, you can work up to 20 hours/ week while you study. For additional details, please check with the RCIC (http:www.cic.gc.ca). 2. I’m an international student. Do I need a work permit for the Co-op Diploma Program? International students require

A Canadian Study Permit and a Co-op Work Permit, or A Working Holiday Visa. LCC can provide a letter of acceptance and Co-op Work Permit application for registered international

students.

3. How many hours will I work in my work term and how much will I earn?

Hours of work will depend on your Co-op study options. You can check your number of hours on your letter of

acceptance. The work term in hours must not be longer than your study term in hours. You can expect at least

the current BC minimum wage. From June 1st, 2018, the minimum wage is $12.65 an hour.

4. How long is the Career Co-op program?

The complete program (including both study and work components) runs from a minimum of one (1) year up

to a maximum of four (4) years. The work term must not be longer than the study term.

5. What if I don’t like my job or if I have a problem at work?

Students are encouraged to communicate all difficulties to the Co-op Coordinator. If you need to leave a job,

you can still work in other jobs for your co-op program (you need to submit a new Co-op Placement Approval

Form).

6. What other documentation do I need to work?

Students need a Social Insurance Number and adequate medical insurance. Information on how to obtain a

SIN card and medical insurance are included in your application package. Students can visit any local insurance

dealer to purchase a private medical insurance plan. LCC requires students to provide proof of medical

insurance before starting the program.

7. Is LCC responsible for helping me find a job?

Students are encouraged to look for an appropriate work placement with support from LCC’s Co-op

Coordinator, instructors and staff. By becoming involved in the job search process students will be able to

apply the knowledge gained in their coursework and take on an active role in their career development. In the

unlikely event that a student has significant difficulty finding work after successfully completing the Study

Component and receiving instructor and staff support, additional employment search support can be arranged

with the LCC Co-op Coordinator. Prior to beginning the Work Component, students are encouraged to take

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advantage of the free job support services offered by the co-op department. To assist students, the Co-op

Coordinators identifies work experience opportunities and provides counseling, job search skills and resume

writing assistance.

9. Am I guaranteed to find a job?

Vancouver is a big city with many opportunities, and co-op students usually find jobs. However, there is no

guarantee that students will find a position. Finding a job depends on employability (work experience, job

skills, personality) and the local job market.

10. What happen if I have to withdraw from my Co-op Program?

You need to provide a notice of withdrawal or copy of a refusal of study permit by email or in person.

Depending on when you need to withdraw, you may be entitled to a partial refund. Please check LCC’s refund

policy. This information is required by CIC - in other words, we have to inform CIC (Citizenship and Immigration

Canada) of your status and close your file here at LCC.

11. Can I take a break during my study component?

Yes, but you have to understand that diploma programs have 24 weeks of classes and each week has different

material to study. As a result, you may need to wait up to 24 weeks to enroll in the missed week again after a

break.

We strongly recommend that you take your break after your study term.

If you have to take a break during study, your study term will be extended and your work term may be

reduced (depending on your work permit end date). We allow you to take a break only if you have enough

visa duration to complete your study and work terms.

All changes require two weeks’ advance notice to the LCC office. You will pay a service fee.

For more information about study and work permits please refer to the Government of Canada Help Centre Website: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/results-by-topic.asp?top=15

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Do you still have questions about the Career Co-op Program?

Contact Emily, LCC’s Co-op Coordinator, by telephone or email.

Telephone: 604-684-2325

Email: coopwork@LCC.issbc.org

Visit our NEW website! https://lcc.issbc.org/co-op-program-details/current-career-co-op-students

To print any of the co-op forms please check out the following link https://lcc.issbc.org/co-op-program-details/current-career-co-op-students/