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Co-operative Education

United Nations (UN) SDGs put in action by Co-op

sustainable development goals logo

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a priority at the University of Victoria. At their core, the SDGs are about ending poverty and inequality and providing opportunity and support for all.

No poverty
Icon for zero hunger
Good health and well-being
Quality education
Gender equality
Clean water and sanitation
Affordable and clean engery
Decent work and economic growth
Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Reduced inequalities
Sustainable cities and communities
Responsible consumption and production
Climate action
Life below water
Life and land
Peace, justice and strong institutions
Partnerships for the goals

How co-op is addressing the 17 SDGs

Here are the initiatives, programs and experiences facilitated through UVic’s Co-op and Career team that align with and contribute to the SDGs. 

You can also view the latest annual report for detailed information.

Additionally, Co-op and Career’s Indigenous, International and Accessibility (IIA) team have partnered with CIFAL Victoria, a training centre connected to the United Nations’ Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). As part of this partnership, Students who did co-op terms outside of Canada that advanced the UN Sustainable Development Goals with the opportunity received UN accreditation for their experiences. As part of their co-ops, they also led community engagement activities where they used their cultural intelligence to advance the UN SDGs.

More than 15 students have earned the UN certification to date. We’ve collaborated with UNITAR to create a joint publication that demonstrates the impact of students' contributions.

Goal 1.4: Community anti-poverty programs: Goal 1.4.2: Local start-up financial assistance:
  • UVic's Strategic Framework Experiential Learning Fund (SF-ELF) helps businesses to hire co-op students, including a wage subsidy for not-for-profits and Indigenous community organizations to cover a portion of the cost of hiring a co-op student for a work term (up to $5,000).
Goal 1.4.3: Programs for services access:

  • Co-op and Career’s Indigenous, International and Accessibility (IIA) team partnered with CIFAL Victoria, a training centre connected to the United Nations’ Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). Together, UVic and CIFAL Victoria provided students who did co-op terms outside of Canada that advanced the UN Sustainable Development Goals with the opportunity to receive UN accreditation. Students also led or organized a community engagement activity where they used their cultural intelligence to advance UN SDGs. This program is funded through Global Skills Opportunity Fund. More than 15 students have earned this certificate to date and C+C is exploring how to make this opportunity available to all co-op students.

  • As part of renewing practices to support all students’ career development needs, Co-op and Career’s Curriculum Committee began building a new modular career course called Your Career Starts Here that will help students explore their career goals and strengths. The Curriculum Team worked with the LTSI to set up the course through Brightspace. The course was soft launched in the fall of 2024.

  • Co-op and Career’s events and communications team hosts Work It: A career exploration podcast, as a way to make career support content more accessible to students and alumni. We interview UVic graduates who are making a positive impact through their careers, as well as create ask-an-expert episodes where we spoke with career educators about topics ranging from self-disclosure in the workplace to applying to jobs and avoiding burnout. 

  • Co-op and Career’s optional and professional co-op programs align their application processes and deadlines to make it easier for students to take part. This involves extending the application window to run from mid-June to mid-September and streamlining marketing and outreach. As a result of this shift, co-op application numbers for optional programs increased across the unit. Co-op programs included in this initiative were computer science, fine arts, humanities, kinesiology, sciences and social sciences.

  • To better support specific audience groups, including Indigenous students, international students, students doing work terms abroad, and students looking for support around equity, diversity and inclusion, Co-op and Career staff includes an accessibility and inclusion co-op and career coordinator. 

  • UVic works closely with colleagues from Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia to run the West Coast Virtual Fair. for students and alumni from all three post-secondaries. 

  • The Indigenous Co-op Program at UVic is a partnership between Co-op and Career and the Office of Indigenous Academic & Community Engagement and provides culturally relevant co-op work term opportunities and one-on-one support to Indigenous students at UVic. 
  • UVic contributes to the Indigenous Co-op/Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Resource HUB (a project funded by the Ministry of Advanced Education), which includes 13 resources and 4 videos that support Indigenous student access, retention and success in WIL programs and placements. The resources include resources on: (1) self-identifying on a job application, (2) tokenism, (3) partnership and representation, (4) program accessibility, and (5) responding to the TRC Calls to Action. UVic led the creation of these resources several years ago.
  • All students and employers can access support related to equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace. 
  • We continue to develop online resources to support students who identify as having a disability or mental health challenge. This includes content to help students determine if, when and how to self-disclose and hold conversations around accommodation, and content to help neurodivergent students through the interview process. It also included developing resources to help employers move towards creating more inclusive, safe and equitable workplaces. Much of this content was added to co-op preparation courses and the web-based career development curriculum.
Goal 1.4.4: Policy making:
  • Co-op students work for municipal, provincial and federal government agencies, often contributing to research that informs social policy.
  • Cross-unit committees of Co-op and Career staff members meet to identify and address opportunities related to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, as well as a committee focused on developing a revised curriculum for students, and one focused on accessibility.

In the workplace

UVic co-op employers answer a survey about their workplace each year. Of the 637 employer organizations who responded to the survey between September 2023 to August 2024, 39 employer organizations (or 6%) were actively working to support UN SDG 1. 16 employers (or 3%) believed that co-op students' work contributed to projects related to the UN SDG 1.

Student experiences 

Goal 2.5.1:

In the workplace

UVic co-op employers answer a survey about their workplace each year. Of the 637 employer organizations who responded to the survey between September 2023 to August 2024, 35 employer organizations (or 5%) were actively working to support UN SDG 2. Within these organizations, 13 employers (or 2%) believed that co-op students' work contributed to projects related to the UN SDG 2.

Student experiences

Goal 3.3.1: Collaboration with health institutions:

  • Co-op and Career partnered with the Faculty of Engineering to successfully apply for funding through Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada’s iHUB program. The funding is part of the Government of Canada’s Innovative Work-Integrated Learning Program and supported 65 students as they consulted with industry partners and community members to develop an online course for coastal communities working engage in kelp aquaculture. In collaboration with experts, the students developed online learning materials and peer support forums that follow appropriate onscreen protocols for engagement with Indigenous communities. Additionally, the computer science students created a satellite data system to track ideal kelp growth areas. The end result of this project was a kelp portal on the Compute Canada cloud computing platform.

In the workplace

UVic co-op employers answer a survey about their workplace each year. Of the 637 employer organizations who responded to the survey between September 2023 to August 2024, 172 employer organizations (or 27%) were actively working to support UN SDG 3. Within these organizations, 110 employers (or 17%) believed that co-op students' work contributed to projects related to the UN SDG 3.

Student experiences

Goal 4.3.1: Public resources to support lifelong learning: 
    • Co-op and Career’s Indigenous, International and Accessibility (IIA) team partners with CIFAL Victoria, a training centre connected to the United Nations’ Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). As part of this partnership, Students who did co-op terms outside of Canada that advanced the UN Sustainable Development Goals with the opportunity received UN accreditation for their experiences. As part of their co-ops, they also led community engagement activities where they used their cultural intelligence to advance the UN SDGs. More than 15 students have earned the UN certification to date. We’ve collaborated with UNITAR to create a joint publication that demonstrates the impact of students' contributions.

    • UVic Co-op and Career's International, Indigenous and Accessibility (IIA) team was selected as the recipient of the Albert S. Barber Award from Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL Canada). The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the advancement of the philosophy and practice of Co-operative Education in Canada. The IIA team works towards a common strategic goal: to remove barriers to WIL for students of under-served and underrepresented communities and to provide inclusive and culturally relevant experiences that support students’ career development and wellbeing.

    • As part of renewing practices to support all students’ career development needs, Co-op and Career’s Curriculum Committee developed a Brightspace course called Your Career Starts Here that helps students explore their career goals and strengths. 

    • Co-op and Career’s events and communications team produce Work It: A career exploration podcast, as a way to make career support content more accessible to students and alumni. We interview recent UVic graduates who are making a positive impact through their careers, as well produce ask-an-expert episodes where we speak with career educators about topics ranging from self-disclosure in the workplace to applying to jobs and avoiding burnout. 
    • The Indigenous Co-op Program at UVic is a partnership between Co-op and Career and the Office of Indigenous Academic & Community Engagement and provides culturally relevant co-op work term opportunities and one-on-one support to Indigenous students at UVic. 
    • UVic continued to promote the Indigenous Co-op/Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Resource HUB (a project funded by the Ministry of Advanced Education), which includes 13 resources and 4 videos that support Indigenous student access, retention and success in WIL programs and placements. The resources include resources on: (1) self-identifying on a job application, (2) tokenism, (3) partnership and representation, (4) program accessibility, and (5) responding to the TRC Calls to Action. UVic led the creation of these resources several years ago.
    • All students and employers can access support related to equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace. 
    • The Indigenous co-op coordinator focuses on supporting Indigenous students throughout their co-op journeys. David Busch, who is Nisga’a and Gitxsan as well as Scottish and German, also worked closely with the staff in the Indigenous Academic and Community Engagement office. 
Goal 4.3.2: Public events to support lifelong learning: 
Goal 4.3.3: Vocational training events that support lifelong learning:
  • UVic Co-op and Career facilitates cultural intelligence (CQ) training based on the Cultural Intelligence Model. All staff receive this training, and co-op students learn about CQ during their Introduction to Professional Practice (IPP) course. Students outside of co-op also have access to this curriculum.
Goal 4.3.4: Education outreach activities beyond campus:
  • Co-op and Career continued to support students taking part in Continuing Studies as well as alumni. This is the first time that Continuing Studies students have had access to one-on-one career development support. Students were also given access to the Co-op and Career portal where they can explore and apply for job postings, register for events and book appointments.

In the workplace

UVic co-op employers answer a survey about their workplace each year. Of the 637 employer organizations who responded to the survey between September 2023 to August 2024, 124 co-op employer organizations (or 19%) were actively working to support UN SDG 4. Within these organizations, 86 employers (or 14%) believed that co-op students' work contributed to projects related to the UN SDG 4.

Student experiences

Student experiences gained through the WACE Global Challenge

The WACE Global Challenge is an experiential learning project that connects student teams from across the world with organizations to create sustainable impact initiatives. In 2020 and 21, UVic students participated in team-based projects addressing several SDGs. This aligns with 4.3.4 as an example of educational outreach activities beyond campus.

Goal 5.6.8: Policies protecting those reporting discrimination:

  • All students and employers can access support related to equity, diversion and inclusion in the workplace. 
  • To better support specific audience groups, including Indigenous students, international students, students doing work terms abroad, and students looking for support around equity, diversity and inclusion, Co-op and Career adjusted its Indigenous and International team to include Niels Melis-de Lamper, the accessibility and inclusion co-op and career coordinator. This new team, now called the Indigenous, International and Accessibility (IIA) team is led by associate director Karima Ramji and focuses on emerging student needs.
  • We continue to develop online resources to support students who identify as having a disability or mental health challenge. This includes content to help students determine if, when and how to self-disclose and hold conversations around accommodation, and content to help neurodivergent students through the interview process. It also included developing resources to help employers move towards creating more inclusive, safe and equitable workplaces. Much of this content was added to co-op preparation courses and the web-based career development curriculum.
  • A series of new online resources was created to support students

    who identify as having a disability or mental health challenge. This included content to help students determine if, when and how to self-disclose and hold conversations around accommodation. It also included developing resources to help employers move towards creating more inclusive, safe and equitable workplaces. Much of this content was added to co-op preparation courses and the web-based career development curriculum.

Goal 5.3.1: Women's access schemes: 

In the workplace

UVic co-op employers answer a survey about their workplace each year. Of the 637 employer organizations who responded to the survey between September 2023 to August 2024,147 co-op employer organizations (or 23%) were actively working to support UN SDG 5. Within these organizations, 64 employers (or 19%) believed that co-op students' work contributed to projects related to the UN SDG 5.

Student experiences

  • Fourth-year economics student Daniella Lerat spent a work term as a sales and customer support co-op term with Joni, a Victoria-based company that focuses on sustainable menstruation care. Joni focuses on providing an equitable and inclusive environment—a perfect fit to Daniella, who was a pilot participant in Co-op and Career’s CanWork program, which supported students who identify as having a disability or mental health challenge to take part in co-op. The program paired Daniella with a job coach to jump start the job application process and provide support along the way. “Having a job coach that I could confide in about any anxiety about all the steps of the application process was so helpful,” says Daniella. “It was his kind of support that I really valued.”
  • UVic history and European Studies co-op student Angelina Schwarz’s internship at the Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INPTA), opened doors for her to explore the intricate world of Canada-EU relations and its profound impact on multiple United Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With the guidance of her supervisor, Angelina organized a panel discussion as her community engagement activity with representatives from the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the Mission of Canada to the European Union. Sharing her objectives for this event, Angelina expressed, “My objectives for my community engagement activity were to make a meaningful contribution to my host community, learn more about EU-Canada bilateral relations, and network and form new contacts in Belgium.”  As part of her work term,funded by Global Skills Opportunity, Angelina took part in a new UVic co-op initiative that helps students directly link their work to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). This program, developed in partnership with CIFAL Victoria, a training centre connected to the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), provides students who do co-op terms outside Canada with the opportunity to receive UN accreditation for engaging in co-op work terms that advance the UN SDGs as part of their experiences. They must also lead a community-based activity that supports the SDGs in their host country. Angelina strategically focused on SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 5 (Gender Inequality), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Her cultural intelligence played a pivotal role in ensuring consideration and respect, when navigating through sensitive international topics.

In the workplace

UVic co-op employers answer a survey about their workplace each year. Of the 637 employer organizations who responded to the survey between September 2023 to August 2024, 64 co-op employer organizations (or 10%) were actively working to support UN SDG 6. Within these organizations, 28 employers (or 4%) believed that co-op students' work contributed to projects related to the UN SDG 6.

Student experiences 

In the workplace

UVic co-op employers answer a survey about their workplace each year. Of the 637 employer organizations who responded to the survey between September 2023 to August 2024, 87 co-op employer organizations (or 14%) were actively working to support UN SDG 7. Within these organizations, 46 employers (or 7%) believed that co-op students' work contributed to projects related to the UN SDG 7.

Student experiences 

  • UVic continues to work closely with colleagues from Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia to run the West Coast Virtual Fair. for students and alumni from all three post-secondaries. 
  • Our career educators provide a range of services to students from every UVic program area, including Continuing Studies. Support includes career preparation programming, one-on-one career drop-in sessions and appointments, workshops and targeted networking and career exploration events.

Goal 8.4.1: Proportion of students taking part in work placements for more than a month: 

  • In 2025/26, UVic students completed 3,738 placements. Students earned an average of $3,960  per month.
  • UVic Co-op and Career's International, Indigenous and Accessibility (IIA) team was selected as the recipient of the Albert S. Barber Award from Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL Canada). The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the advancement of the philosophy and practice of Co-operative Education in Canada. The IIA team works towards a common strategic goal: to remove barriers to WIL for students of under-served and underrepresented communities and to provide inclusive and culturally relevant experiences that support students’ career development and wellbeing.

Goal 8.2.3: Employment policy on discrimination:

  • All students and employers can access support related to equity, diversion and inclusion in the workplace. 

  • The IIA team works with the Gustavson School of Business and the Faculty of Law to design a joint pre-departure course for students going on international co-op and/or academic exchanges. This provides students across these programs with the same pre-departure experience. Funding for this program is provided by the Global Skills Opportunity Innovation grant.

  • Career Services runs regular workshops to help students decide when and how to self-disclose their needs to employers, as well as workshops on self-advocacy and work/life balance.
  • The C+C team facilitate the Changemaker Awards to recognize co-op students who have made significant contributions to their workplace, community and/or their personal learning. There are four categories: the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award, the International Student Award, the Reconciliation Award and the Sustainable Development Goals Award. Fundraising for the Changemaker Awards took place during Giving Tuesday.
  • A series of online resources  support students who identify as having a disability or mental health challenge. This includes content to help students determine if, when and how to self-disclose and hold conversations around accommodation. It also included developing resources to help employers move towards creating more inclusive, safe and equitable workplaces. 

In the workplace

UVic co-op employers answer a survey about their workplace each year. Of the 637 employer organizations who responded to the survey between September 2023 to August 2024, 108 co-op employer organizations (or 17%) were actively working to support UN SDG 8. Within these organizations, 68 employers (or 11%) believed that co-op students' work contributed to projects related to the UN SDG 8.

Student experiences

Student experiences gained through the WACE Global Challenge

The WACE Global Challenge is an experiential learning project that connects student teams from across the world with organizations to create sustainable impact initiatives. 

Goal 9: 

  • Co-op and Career’s Indigenous, International and Accessibility (IIA) team partners with CIFAL Victoria, a training centre connected to the United Nations’ Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). Students who do co-op terms outside of Canada that advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals with the opportunity receive UN accreditation for their experiences. As part of their co-ops, they also lead community engagement activities where they used their cultural intelligence to advance the UN SDGs. We’ve collaborated with UNITAR to create a joint publication that demonstrates the impact of students' contributions.
  • A series of online resources supports students who identify as having a disability or mental health challenge. This included content to help students determine if, when and how to self-disclose and hold conversations around accommodation. It also included developing resources to help employers move towards creating more inclusive, safe and equitable workplaces. Much of this content was added to co-op preparation courses and the web-based career development curriculum.
  • Co-op and Career work closely with the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) through the Government of Canada to help employers secure funding that allows them to hire UVic co-op students in a range of industries. These hands-on experience are vital for connecting students with innovative industries; the organizations in turn benefit from students' knowledge and skill.

In the workplace

UVic co-op employers answer a survey about their workplace each year. Of the 637 employer organizations who responded to the survey between September 2023 to August 2024, 160 co-op employer organizations (or 25%) were actively working to support UN SDG 9. Within these organizations, 117 employers (or 18%) believed that co-op students' work contributed to projects related to the UN SDG 9.

Student experiences gained through the WACE Global Challenge

The WACE Global Challenge is an experiential learning project that connects student teams from across the world with organizations to create sustainable impact initiatives. In 2023 and 2024, UVic students participated in team-based projects addressing several SDGs. 

Student experiences

Goal 10.6.3: Support for underrepresented groups AND Goal 10.6.8: Disability support services AND Goal 10.6.10: Disability accommodation policy. 
  • Co-op and Career’s Indigenous, International and Accessibility (IIA) team partners with CIFAL Victoria, a training centre connected to the United Nations’ Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). Together, UVic and CIFAL Victoria provide students who do co-op terms outside of Canada that advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals with the opportunity to receive UN accreditation. Students also lead or organized a community engagement activity where they used their cultural intelligence to advance UN SDGs. This program is funded through Global Skills Opportunity Fund. 

  • As part of renewing practices to support all students’ career development needs, Co-op and Career’s Curriculum Committee created a modular career course called Your Career Starts Here to help students explore their career goals and strengths. 

  • UVic Co-op and Career's International, Indigenous and Accessibility (IIA) team was selected as the recipient of the Albert S. Barber Award from Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL Canada). The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the advancement of the philosophy and practice of Co-operative Education in Canada. The IIA team works towards a common strategic goal: to remove barriers to WIL for students of under-served and underrepresented communities and to provide inclusive and culturally relevant experiences that support students’ career development and wellbeing.
  • Co-op and Career’s events and communications team produces Work It: A career exploration podcast, as a way to make career support content more accessible to students and alumni. We interview recent UVic graduates who are making a positive impact through their careers, as well as interview career educators about topics ranging from self-disclosure in the workplace to applying to jobs and avoiding burnout. 

  • To better support specific audience groups, including Indigenous students, international students, students doing work terms abroad, and students looking for support around equity, diversity and inclusion, Co-op and Career includes an accessibility and inclusion co-op and career coordinator. 

  • The Indigenous Co-op Program at UVic is a partnership between Co-op and Career and the Office of Indigenous Academic & Community Engagement and provides culturally relevant co-op work term opportunities and one-on-one support to Indigenous students at UVic.

  • UVic continues to work closely with colleagues from Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia to run the West Coast Virtual Fair for students and alumni from all three post-secondaries. 

  • UVic continues to promote the Indigenous Co-op/Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Resource HUB (a project funded by the Ministry of Advanced Education), which includes 13 resources and 4 videos that support Indigenous student access, retention and success in WIL programs and placements. The resources include resources on: (1) self-identifying on a job application, (2) tokenism, (3) partnership and representation, (4) program accessibility, and (5) responding to the TRC Calls to Action. UVic led the creation of these resources several years ago.
  • All students and employers can access support related to equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace. 
  • We continue to develop online resources to support students who identify as having a disability or mental health challenge. This includes content to help students determine if, when and how to self-disclose and hold conversations around accommodation, and content to help neurodivergent students through the interview process. It also included developing resources to help employers move towards creating more inclusive, safe and equitable workplaces. Much of this content was added to co-op preparation courses and the web-based career development curriculum.
Goal 10.6.3: Support for underrepresented groups:

In the workplace

UVic co-op employers answer a survey about their workplace each year. Co-op and Career surveys employers about how their work supports the UN SDGs. Of the 637 employer organizations who responded to the survey between September 2023 to August 2024, 128 co-op employer organizations (or 20%) were actively working to support UN SDG 10. Within these organizations, 67 employers (or 11%) believed that co-op students' work contributed to projects related to the UN SDG 10.

Student experiences 

Goal 11.4.2: Promote sustainable communities: 

  • Co-op and Career staff support the Bike to Work Week initiative several times per year, with staff forming teams to encourage sustainable commuting. 

Goal 11.4.3: Allow remote working: 

  • By supporting staff to work from home two days a week, Co-op and Career is helping to reduce employee commuting.

In the workplace

UVic co-op employers answer a survey about their workplace each year. Co-op and Career surveys employers about how their work supports the UN SDGs. Of the 637 employer organizations who responded to the survey between September 2023 to August 2024, 119 co-op employer organizations (or 19%) were actively working to support UN SDG 11. Within these organizations, 79 employers (or 12%) believed that co-op students' work contributed to projects related to the UN SDG 11.

Student experiences 

Goal 12.2.6: Policy for reduction of disposable items: Co-op and Career has been actively reducing the number of printed publications and materials and shifting to digital whenever possible. This has included:

  • Creating QR codes to direct stakeholders to visit the Co-op and Career website for audience-specific information, rather than printing and distributing specialized publications.
  • Co-op and Career’s events and communications team assessed the impact and reach of in-person and virtual events from the past several years. Using this data and responding to reduced staffing resources, the team developed a plan to shift how we deliver career-focused information and programming from a one-time events format to an evergreen podcast format. The team produces  the “Work It: a career exploration podcast”.

In the workplace

UVic co-op employers answer a survey about their workplace each year .Of the 637 employer organizations who responded to the survey between September 2023 to August 2024, 89 co-op employer organizations (or 14%) were actively working to support UN SDG 12. Within these organizations, 44 employers (or 7%) believed that co-op students' work contributed to projects related to the UN SDG 12.

Student stories

UVic co-op employers answer a survey about their workplace each year. Of the 637 employer organizations who responded to the survey between September 2023 to August 2024, 148 co-op employer organizations (or 23%) were actively working to support UN SDG 13. Within these organizations, 89 employers (or 14%) believed that co-op students' work contributed to projects related to the UN SDG 13.

Student experiences

In the workplace

UVic co-op employers answer a survey about their workplace each year. Of the 637 employer organizations who responded to the survey between September 2023 to August 2024, 49 co-op employer organizations (or 8%) were actively working to support UN SDG 14. Within these organizations, 32 employers (or 5%) believed that co-op students' work contributed to projects related to the UN SDG 14.

Student experiences 

In the workplace

UVic co-op employers answer a survey about their workplace each year. Of the 637 employer organizations who responded to the survey between September 2023 to August 2024, 67 co-op employer organizations (or 11%) were actively working to support UN SDG 14. Within these organizations, 34 employers (or 5%) believed that co-op students' work contributed to projects related to the UN SDG 15.

Student experiences 

Goal 16.2.4: Participatory bodies for stakeholder engagement: 

  • Co-op and Career staff invite employers to share their experiences within the co-op program as well as the needs of their industries and hiring trends.

Goal 16.3.3: Participation in government research: 

  • Students from across academic program areas complete co-op work terms conducting research for municipal, provincial and federal government, including contributing to policy development.

In the workplace

UVic co-op employers answer a survey about their workplace each year. Of the 637 employer organizations who responded to the survey between September 2023 to August 2024, 65 co-op employer organizations (or 10%) were actively working to support UN SDG 16. Within these organizations, 38 employers (or 6%) believed that co-op students' work contributed to projects related to the UN SDG 16.

Student experiences

Goal 17.2.1: Relationships with NGOs and government for SDG policy:

In the workplace

UVic co-op employers answer a survey about their workplace each year. Of the 637 employer organizations who responded to the survey between September 2023 to August 2024, 62 co-op employer organizations (or 10%) were actively working to support UN SDG 17. Within these organizations, 39 employers (or 6%) believed that co-op students' work contributed to projects related to the UN SDG 17.

Student experiences