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UVic's Co-operative Education Program and Career Services has a message for the lackluster economy: "Take that!" The Faculty of Business saw its 10,000th student settled into a co-op work term this summer—due in major part to the unflagging support of co-op employers in Victoria's business community.

One such employer is Scotiabank, which has continued to hire UVic co-op students through the economic downturn. Since 1995, the bank has hired 97 UVic business students for co-op work terms in Victoria, Vancouver and Calgary.

"We consider the Co-op Program a major source of future bankers in all our banking divisions," says Andrea Jakeman-Brown, Scotiabank co-op liaison and branch manager of the bank's main downtown location.

By hiring co-op students, Scotiabank is well positioned to recruit UVic graduates. The bank has brought numerous past co-op students on board as full-time staff. Cameron Glazier, now a personal banking officer, spent two four-month co-op work terms with Scotiabank before his permanent appointment at the Sidney branch.

"I've definitely had an exceptional co-op experience with Scotiabank," says Glazier. "Their excellent training program taught me professional skills for success within both the bank and the greater business community." He also grew on a personal level, he says, through the bank's commitment to charities and community events.

Kenneth Chiu, an international student from Thailand, also completed two work terms with Scotiabank. He's looking forward to rejoining the small business department as an account manager in September.

"I've received such amazing support from Scotiabank," says Chiu. "During my co-op I was interested in the business side of things, so they arranged for me to work in small business." Scotiabank also organized a visit to its other divisions—ScotiaMcleod and Scotia Private Client Group—so Chiu and his fellow co-op students could explore career options across the banking industry.

Linda Dobbie, manager of small business at the downtown branch, supervised Chiu during his latest co-op work term and is pleased to have him return.

"It's been a pleasure working with such vibrant co-ops," she says.  "They bring a fresh perspective to the office—and they've all been so eager to apply their knowledge in the working world."

Brian White, manager of Scotiabank's Sidney branch, agrees. "I've been tremendously impressed with the UVic Co-op Program," he says. "The co-op students come through our doors displaying professionalism, confidence and maturity well beyond their years."