It takes a very special co-operative education (co-op) employer to stand out from the 1,130 organizations that provided outstanding dynamic learning opportunities for UVic co-op students in 2015. It is with great excitement that the Co-operative Education Program and Career Services (Co-op and Career) has named Victoria-based LED and solar technology provider Carmanah Technologies Corporation as the 2015 UVic Co-op Employer of the Year.
Carmanah Technologies has provided positions for an impressive 18 co-op students since 2011 and has hired eight of these former students into full-time positions after graduation. The company, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2016, is known for welcoming students into Carmanah’s open and inclusive culture as valued team members rather than temporary employees.
“Carmanah is passionate about co-op,” says Alison Keller, a UVic Bachelor of Commerce graduate, currently on Carmanah’s business development team. “Students are excited to be part of a community conscious and environmentally engaged workplace, and to see the impact that our products, and their work have on the world around them.”
The organization has hired co-op students from a wide range of UVic programs to work in diverse areas, including sales, business development, communications, engineering, product development, product design and more. Students are mentored throughout their work terms and are encouraged to learn about all aspects of the company, products and projects—this accelerates their personal growth and career success.
Carmanah has also supported experiential learning right here on campus. Staff regularly volunteer to take part in UVic Co-op and Career’s mock interview clinics, and also assist with the “What can you do with your degree” event series.
“Carmanah Technologies has consistently demonstrated its commitment to fostering exceptional student learning opportunities,” says Dr. Norah McRae, executive director of UVic Co-op and Career. “The quality of students’ work experiences, the mentorship provided by senior staff, the opportunity for professional growth and the focus on developing products that make a positive impact on our communities are just a few of the reasons that we are thrilled to count Carmanah as a valued partner in education.”
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