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

Goal 1.4: Community anti-poverty programs:

• UVic Co-op and Career supports the World Partnership Walk each year to engage the community to fight global poverty and educate about global food security. Thanks to the work of UVic faculty champions, the university raises more than any other post-secondary institution towards this goal. UVic students are able to volunteer to organize the UVic walk and gain co-curricular record credit at UVic for this experience. Here's a profile of a faculty champion.

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.

• In the fall of 2023, Co-op and Career’s events and communications team released the first season of Work It: A career exploration podcast, as a way to make career support content more accessible to students and alumni. Season 1 included interviews with four recent UVic graduates who are making a positive impact through their careers, as well as four 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. 

• For fall 2023, Co-op and Career’s optional and professional co-op programs aligned their application processes and deadlines to make it easier for students to take part. This involved 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 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.

• UVic’s Career Services team developed and ran two new series of workshops to help students at various stages of their career development. The Launch your career adventure workshop series ran in the fall of 2023, while the “Jumpstart your job search” workshop series was offered in the spring of 2024. Both series were offered in person as well as virtually and provided students with modular options on topics ranging from demystifying the networking process to learning how to identify and engage with equitable and inclusive employers. The Jumpstart your job search series also supported students in their preparation for the West Coast Virtual Fair.

• UVic continued 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. The 2024 fair ran from March 19 to 20, 2024 and included a series of preparation workshops run by UVic and attended by students from UVic, UBC and SFU. More than 260 UVic students and alumni and 60 employers took part in the 2024 fair.

• 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. 

• Co-op and Career officially launched an innovative AI software called VMock to expand the options for students to gain individualized feedback on their résumés, interviews and more. VMock provides UVic students with accessible and interactive career-readiness support that can be accessed anywhere and at any time. Students are now able to upload their résumé or provide information about their upcoming interview and VMock will provide on-thespot feedback and sample questions. The software provides vital scaffolding to students as they search for work and prepare for interviews. 

• 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.
• Three new committees continued work in 2023/24: a cross-unit committee of Co-op and Career staff members struck 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 

• As someone who is passionate about problem solving and design, Tanvir Kahlon (he/him) knew he wanted to study at a university where he could be challenged. The international student from India was impressed with UVic's engineering program and the fact that co-op is integrated into the curriculum. He spent eight months as a web analyst for the BC Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. Tanvir worked on building, maintaining and improving the Employment Labour Market Services Division (ELMSD)'s information platforms, which support staff as they deliver the WorkBC employment service program in BC.

• 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 jumpstart 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.”

• On the first episode of season 2 of Work It, hosts Katy and Emma speak about career journeys with Jayesh Vekariya, a UVic MBA graduate who is the CEO and one of the founders of Joni, a Victoria-based company that focuses on sustainable menstruation care. Jayesh shared his story of launching Joni and why menstruation care is linked to poverty reduction.

• Second-year political science student Kenzie Ross worked as a shelter allocation coordinator with EuroRelief, an NGO that operates within Mavrovouni Refugee Camp in Lesvos, she put her experience and studies into practice and learned to “expect the unexpected.” Kenzie worked to help incoming asylum-seekers find a designated place to live and coordinated longer-term shelter plans inside the camp.

Goal 2.5.1:

• UVic Co-op and Career supports the World Partnership Walk each year to engage the community to fight global poverty and educate about global food security. Thanks to the work of UVic faculty champions, the university raises more than any other post-secondary institution towards this goal. UVic students are able to volunteer to organize the UVic walk and gain co-curricular record credit at UVic for this experience. Here's a profile of a faculty champion.

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

• During her work term at Apex K.K in Tokyo, commerce co-op student Lauren McDiarmid led an impactful movement that not only addressed the critical issue of zero hunger worldwide (UN SDG #2) but also promoted good health and well-being (UN SDG #3) and sought to reduce inequalities (UN SDG #10). Lauren chose to organize a food drive in support of Second Harvest, a local food bank in Tokyo, where she successfully raised 56,000¥ JPY and collected six boxes of food items generously donated by the team at Apex K.K. Executed over a week, the project made meaningful contributions by shedding light on local food scarcity issues and helping families and individuals in need. “The initiative not only provided tangible support but also ignited conversations around food insecurity. Lauren's work term, funded by Global Skills Opportunity, was part of a new UVic co-op initiative that helps students directly link their work to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
• On her fourth co-op work term, Christine joined the software development team at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) Sidney Centre for Plant Health, Canada’s only post-entry quarantine research and diagnostic facility for grapevines, fruit trees and small fruit. The Centre tests plants for virus to ensure plants are healthy for import, domestic movement, and export from Canada.
• Science student Chloe Leroy worked with the Universidad Catolica del Maule (UCM) in Chile to research ways to address deadly salmon pathogens. Her research will help scientists develop ways to treat antibiotic-resistant strains in farmed or wild populations of salmon.
• Biochemistry co-op student Yunkun Li gained real-world experience at the Agassiz Research and Development Centre of Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, working with renowned research scientist Dr. Aimé Messiga. Together, they create soil and nutrient improvements leading to better crop yields, more sustainable practices and environmental protection. 

Goal 3.3.1: Collaboration with health institutions: 

• UVic Co-op has strong relationships with provincial government in the health information science sector to address the health and well-being of our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 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

• Ola Przydatek is a microbiology co-op student who worked as a research assistant at the Centre Hospitalier de Valenciennes (CHV) in Valenciennes, France. At the hospital, she was involved in collecting motion-capture data of patients suffering from various ailments. Here position also consisted of learning how to program a new software that would allow for the analysis of novel movements captured in this hospital laboratory. "This job was much more rewarding than I could have ever imagined. The programs coded by the other UVic student and I, along with the patient testing protocols we developed, were actually integrated by the hospital staff as part of their regular rehabilitation practices."

• As someone who is passionate about holistic health care, recreation and health education student India Edwards (she/they) was looking for a co-op position where she could make a difference.She found the right fit with Glow Integrative Clinic, a multi-disciplinary healthcare clinic in Oak Bay, BC. Offering a range of practices like acupuncture, registered massage therapy, counselling, nutrition, pelvic health physiotherapy and naturopathic medicine, the clinic focuses on womens' health across the lifespan.

• Kailyn Smith, a third-year student majoring in recreational and health education, completed an international work term in Thailand working as an Outdoor Education Intern at UWC. Kailyn’s decision to pursue her program at UVic was motivated by her lifelong passion for athletics and her dedication to health and wellness. “My primary objective is to help create engagement and participation in the outdoor education program across various grade levels. This involved teaching, facilitation, and project developing. The work environment is mostly spent outside teaching sailing, kayaking, and rock climbing."

• During her work term at Apex K.K in Tokyo, commerce co-op student Lauren McDiarmid led an impactful movement that not only addressed the critical issue of zero hunger worldwide (UN SDG #2) but also promoted good health and well-being (UN SDG #3) and sought to reduce inequalities (UN SDG #10). Lauren chose to organize a food drive in support of Second Harvest, a local food bank in Tokyo, where she successfully raised 56,000¥ JPY and collected six boxes of food items generously donated by the team at Apex K.K. Executed over a week, the project made meaningful contributions by shedding light on local food scarcity issues and helping families and individuals in need. “The initiative not only provided tangible support but also ignited conversations around food insecurity. Lauren's work term, funded by Global Skills Opportunity, was part of a new UVic co-op initiative that helps students directly link their work to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
• On her fourth co-op work term, Christine joined the software development team at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) Sidney Centre for Plant Health, Canada’s only post-entry quarantine research and diagnostic facility for grapevines, fruit trees and small fruit. The Centre tests plants for virus to ensure plants are healthy for import, domestic movement, and export from Canada.
• Physical health and recreation student Jacob Cook jumped at the opportunity to work with the Pacific Institute for Sports Excellence facility (PISE), a local non-profit organization that creates active living opportunities for children and adults of all levels and abilities.

Goal 4.3.1: Public resources to support lifelong learning: 

• • In 2023/24, 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). 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 2024 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 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.

  • In the fall of 2023, Co-op and Career’s events and communications team released the first season of Work It: A career exploration podcast, as a way to make career support content more accessible to students and alumni. Season 1 included interviews with four recent UVic graduates who are making a positive impact through their careers, as well as four 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. 

  • For fall 2023, Co-op and Career’s optional and professional co-op programs aligned their application processes and deadlines to make it easier for students to take part. This involved 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.

  • 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. 

  • Co-op and Career officially launched an innovative AI software called VMock to expand the options for students to gain individualized feedback on their résumés, interviews and more. VMock provides UVic students with accessible and interactive career-readiness support that can be accessed anywhere and at any time. Students are now able to upload their résumé or provide information about their upcoming interview and VMock will provide on-thespot feedback and sample questions. The software provides vital scaffolding to students as they search for work and prepare for interviews. 

  • In May 2022, David Busch joined the Co-op and Career team as the Indigenous co-op coordinator focused on supporting Indigenous students throughout their co-op journeys. David, 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. In his first year in the position, David helped relaunch the Indigenous International Work-Integrated Learning Exchange Program, planned two mock interview clinics and career fairs for Indigenous students and hosted a series of Breakfasts in the House for students and staff.

Goal 4.3.2: Public events to support lifelong learning: 

• 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.

• UVic’s Career Services team developed and ran two new series of workshops to help students at various stages of their career development. The Launch your career adventure workshop series ran in the fall of 2023, while the “Jumpstart your job search” workshop series was offered in the spring of 2024. Both series were offered in person as well as virtually and provided students with modular options on topics ranging from demystifying the networking process to learning how to identify and engage with equitable and inclusive employers. The Jumpstart your job search series also supported students in their preparation for the West Coast Virtual Fair.

• 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.
• UVic continued 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. The 2024 fair ran from March 19 to 20, 2024 and included a series of preparation workshops run by UVic and attended by students from UVic, UBC and SFU. More than 260 UVic students and alumni and 60 employers took part in the 2024 fair.
• Networking events like the Success in the humanities and fine arts event
• Mock interview clinic and career fair for Indigenous students
• Employer information sessions

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’s events and communications team has 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 recorded 8 podcast episodes with alumni and career educators and will launch the “Work It: a career exploration podcast” in September 2023.

• Co-op and Career partners with Camosun to promote co-op as a hiring strategy for local employers through agreements with the Victoria Chamber of Commerce and WestShore Chamber of Commerce. Chamber members hire students and students who contribute to the local economy and often find full-time employment with Chamber members after graduation.

• 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.

• Over the past year, Co-op and Career staff have worked in consultation with UVic Human Resources to draft a vision and mission statement along with values and strategic goals for the next 3- to 5-year period. This work has been done in concert with the development of unit and departmental operational plans and in alignment with the development of the university’s new strategic plan. Co-op and Career’s overall vision is to support “career-ready graduates responding to the needs of community, society and our planet” and our mission is to “prepare students for the future of work.”

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

• Vivica Turnbull is a fourth-year Biology major at Macquarie University in Sydney and a proud Barkindji Ngemba woman. She took part in the Indigenous International Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Exchange. During her 5-month exchange, she undertook a semester at the University of Victoria UVic and completed the LE, NONET course with an internship at the Office of Indigenous Academic and Community Engagement (IACE). "This experience demonstrated the shared experiences of colonization between the First Nation Peoples in Canada and my own people here in Australia, and how we still manage to find strength within our community by celebrating our beautiful cultures."
• After completing his Bachelor of Education from the University of Saskatchewan’s Saskatchewan Urban Native Teachers Education Program, Connor Guillet enrolled in UVic’s Master’s in Educational Psychology. Recently, a co-op work term as an education intern at the University of Central Asia took Connor to Kyrgyzstan, where he put his education into practice. Throughout the work term, Connor tackled major projects like redesigning an online career preparedness course, providing career counselling to students, developing career support material and supporting the creation of a new career support section on the University of Central Asia’s website, developing skills in student engagement and instructional design.
• As someone who is passionate about problem solving and design, Tanvir Kahlon (he/him) knew he wanted to study at a university where he could be challenged. The international student from India was impressed with UVic's engineering program and the fact that co-op is integrated into the curriculum. He spent eight months as a web analyst for the BC Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. Tanvir worked on building, maintaining and improving the Employment Labour Market Services Division (ELMSD)'s information platforms, which support staff as they deliver the WorkBC employment service program in BC.

• Kennedy Rolston (left, civil engineering and physics) is a proud member of the Métis Nation of Greater Victoria. Sophia Speier (right, biology and psychology) is Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxz from Kingcome Inlet, which is part of the Kwakwaka-wakw Nation. In 2022, both students travelled to MacQuarie University’s Walanga Muru in Australia to complete co-op terms as part of the Indigenous International Work-Integrated Learning Exchange Program. “The experience of cross-cultural sharing, learning about each other’s histories and supporting each other is something that I will hold with me for the rest of my life,” says Kennedy.

• For physics and astronomy student Tess Grindlay, a summer spent working with the Canadian Space Agency on the James Webb Space Telescope was nothing short of a dream job. Tess contributed to projects supporting the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope’s first set of fully calibrated images and spectroscopic data. She’ll continue working with the Canadian Space Agency part-time while completing her fourth year of study.

• Pet owners bringing their furry friends into Dand Veterinary Clinics in Fernwood and James Bay last summer were greeted by self-proclaimed animal-lover Paige Garat (biology), who helped ensure appointments went smoothly for pets and people alike. From scheduling appointments and answering phones to taking X-rays and recording vitals, Paige developed skills she’ll take forward as she pursues a career in veterinary science

• When international student Muskan Hans began her studies in Canada in 2016, she struggled with physical and mental health issues while far from her home in India. While Muskan had doubts about whether she would succeed in co-op, her first work term with BC Pension Corporation built her confidence and communication skills as she brought her adaptability and technical expertise to the team. Initially hired in quality assurance, Muskan’s diligence and eagerness to learn led to her taking on more responsibility across a number of job roles, including as a business analyst—by the end of her work term, she even provided coverage for her manager during his vacation. “I’ve learned that how you see yourself can really impact your success,” Muskan says. “When you say ‘yes’ to opportunities, it can change your whole perspective. When I look at myself now, I can see my own success and look forward to my future.”

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.

• Co-op and Career officially launched an innovative AI software called VMock to expand the options for students to gain individualized feedback on their résumés, interviews and more. VMock provides UVic students with accessible and interactive career-readiness support that can be accessed anywhere and at any time. Students are now able to upload their résumé or provide information about their upcoming interview and VMock will provide on-thespot feedback and sample questions. The software provides vital scaffolding to students as they search for work and prepare for interviews. 

• 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: 

• UVic Co-op and Career supports the World Partnership Walk each year to engage the community to fight global poverty and educate about global food security. Thanks to the work of UVic faculty champions, the university raises more than any other post-secondary institution towards this goal. UVic students are able to volunteer to organize the UVic walk and gain co-curricular record credit at UVic for this experience. Here's a profile of a faculty champion.

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 

• When UVic biology student Sebastian Leroux (he/him) was looking for a co-op position, he was also looking for a way to make a difference. As someone who is passionate about sustainability, he found the ideal position as environmental sustainability coordinator with BC Ferries' Environment Team. He spent last summer working on several projects that aim to improve water quality, fuel consumption and environmental impact. Sebastian was tasked with continuing a project that inventories wood that has been treated by Creosote and used at various sites across the Lower Mainland. BC Ferries has been transitioning to using steel instead of treated wood; Sebastian created an inventory, storage guidelines and disposal protocols that will help the company manage this transition. Liam also worked on water quantification for a site in Richmond, and a fuel consumption project for BC Ferries' vessels. "It is quite inspiring to work with my supervisor on fuel consumption due to the sheer amount we use. Each decision we make in terms of fuel type and route optimization etc. can have a monumental impact on green house gas emissions from our operations."

• UVic commerce student Nancy Nguyen joined the BC Parks team as a program assistant. She helped BC Parks provide high quality, safe outdoor recreation that protects the natural environment.

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 

• Driven by his keen interest in the intersection of technology and business, Curtis Lever (commerce) helped organize a networking night as part of his work term at the Thai-Canadian Chamber of Commerce. His involvement was inspired by his drive to advance the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.  The event, featuring a panel discussion on AI and its impact on both the business world and personal lives, drew over 70 attendees. Curtis actively engaged in discussions covering the influence of AI on diverse industries such as healthcare, education, marketing, finance and more. One particularly engaging topic, according to Curtis, centered around the pivotal role of AI in the future of education and business on both local and global scales. “As AI tools are introduced into the classroom, they have the potential to exacerbate education inequalities if only upper-class schools are able to provide their students with the benefits of incorporating AI into the educational environment. I think it’s really critical to consider how AI will impact education and to make sure that we are applying AI in a way that is equitable and enhances opportunity for all.”  As part of his work term, funded by the Queen Elizabeth Scholars Program, Curtis also 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.
• Mechanical engineering co-op student Satria Brunner spent his second international co-op work term working to convert biomass waste into energy in Indonesia. Blending his engineering and business studies with his goal to pursue a career in renewable energy, he contributed to the design of solid waste processing technology and co-authored a published paper about the Solid Waste Processing Technology at the Source program. “My work term gave me a stronger reason to continue a career focused on renewables,” he says. “I was surrounded by a number of great mentors and teammates”.

• On November 4, 2023, Co-op and Career partnered with UVic’s Community Government Relations and KWENCH to host Job Jam, a career fair that introduced students to diverse careers paths and fostered connections with professionals. The fair featured flash talks, interactive sessions and panel discussions. Approximately 90 community members attended the event.

• UVic continued 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. The 2024 fair ran from March 19 to 20, 2024 and included a series of preparation workshops run by UVic and attended by students from UVic, UBC and SFU. More than 260 UVic students and alumni and 60 employers took part in the 2024 fair.

• In April 2024, C+C participated in a CGR-led event that connected UVic faculty and students with Members of BC’s Legislative Assembly. This event was held at the BC Legislature; 7 co-op students who were completing work terms with provincial agencies and ministries attended this event as co-op ambassadors, highlighting the value of their co-op experiences to MLAs.

• Our six 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. In 2023/24, more than 4,620 students accessed these services.
• All co-op students take part in a mock interview clinic prior to applying for their first work term. 156 employers volunteered their time to provide one-on-one feedback to 1,520 UVic co-op students, including 37 Indigenous students.

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

• In 2023/24, UVic students completed 3,678 placements. Students earned an average of $3,552 per month.

• One-hundred and forty-five equity-seeking students engaged with Co-op and Career through co-op experiences and other career development opportunities last year (the highest number on record) as a result of a dedicated accessibility and inclusion co-op and career coordinator, ongoing resource development and targeted outreach.

• UVic Co-op and Career's International, Indigenous and Accessibility (IIA) team was selected as the recipient of the 2024 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. 

• In 2023/24, the IIA team worked 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 will provide 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.
• Co-op and Career officially launched an innovative AI software called VMock to expand the options for students to gain individualized feedback on their résumés, interviews and more. VMock provides UVic students with accessible and interactive career-readiness support that can be accessed anywhere and at any time. Students are now able to upload their résumé or provide information about their upcoming interview and VMock will provide on-thespot feedback and sample questions. The software provides vital scaffolding to students as they search for work and prepare for interviews. 
• The C+C team launched a new funding opportunity called the Changemaker Awards in 2023/24. These awards 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 and more than 50 students applied for the first round of funding. 
• 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.

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

• As someone who is passionate about problem solving and design, Tanvir Kahlon (he/him) knew he wanted to study at a university where he could be challenged. The international student from India was impressed with UVic's engineering program and the fact that co-op is integrated into the curriculum. He spent eight months as a web analyst for the BC Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. Tanvir worked on building, maintaining and improving the Employment Labour Market Services Division (ELMSD)'s information platforms, which support staff as they deliver the WorkBC employment service program in BC.

• Driven by his keen interest in the intersection of technology and business, Curtis Lever (commerce) helped organize a networking night as part of his work term at the Thai-Canadian Chamber of Commerce. His involvement was inspired by his drive to advance the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.  The event, featuring a panel discussion on AI and its impact on both the business world and personal lives, drew over 70 attendees. Curtis actively engaged in discussions covering the influence of AI on diverse industries such as healthcare, education, marketing, finance and more. One particularly engaging topic, according to Curtis, centered around the pivotal role of AI in the future of education and business on both local and global scales. “As AI tools are introduced into the classroom, they have the potential to exacerbate education inequalities if only upper-class schools are able to provide their students with the benefits of incorporating AI into the educational environment. I think it’s really critical to consider how AI will impact education and to make sure that we are applying AI in a way that is equitable and enhances opportunity for all.”  As part of his work term, funded by the Queen Elizabeth Scholars Program, Curtis also 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.

• After completing his Bachelor of Education from the University of Saskatchewan’s Saskatchewan Urban Native Teachers Education Program, Connor Guillet enrolled in UVic’s Master’s in Educational Psychology. Recently, a co-op work term as an education intern at the University of Central Asia took Connor to Kyrgyzstan, where he put his education into practice. Throughout the work term, Connor tackled major projects like redesigning an online career preparedness course, providing career counselling to students, developing career support material and supporting the creation of a new career support section on the University of Central Asia’s website, developing skills in student engagement and instructional design.
• Jenna Inch (political science and European studies) spent a co-op term as a junior policy analyst with the Canada EU Trade and Investment Association (CEUTIA) in Brussels, Belgium, where she helped advance United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. 

  As part of her co-op experience, funded by Global Skills Opportunity, Jenna 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. As part of this experience, Jenna organized an educational mixer between young professionals from Belgium and Canada to dive into the Canada-EU relationship--it also doubled as a networking opportunity for individuals from diverse backgrounds.

• Co-op and Career partners with Camosun to promote co-op as a hiring strategy for local employers through agreements with the Victoria Chamber of Commerce and WestShore Chamber of Commerce. Chamber members hire students and students who contribute to the local economy and often find full-time employment with Chamber members after graduation.

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. 

Goal 9: 

• In 2023/24, 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). 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.
• 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.

• Co-op and Career officially launched an innovative AI software called VMock to expand the options for students to gain individualized feedback on their résumés, interviews and more. VMock provides UVic students with accessible and interactive career-readiness support that can be accessed anywhere and at any time. Students are now able to upload their résumé or provide information about their upcoming interview and VMock will provide on-thespot feedback and sample questions. The software provides vital scaffolding to students as they search for work and prepare for interviews. 
• 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 April 2024, C+C participated in a CGR-led event that connected UVic faculty and students with Members of BC’s Legislative Assembly. This event was held at the BC Legislature; 7 co-op students who were completing work terms with provincial agencies and ministries attended this event as co-op ambassadors, highlighting the value of their co-op experiences to MLAs.
• 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.

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

• When Liam Shatzel (he/him) was choosing a university, he zeroed in on UVic's co-op program in computer science. The chance to put his skills into action during his degree was a deciding factor. Liam soon found the perfect place to grow his skills when he was hired as a software developer co-op student with Motorola Solutions in Vancouver. He spent eight months writing and testing production code for the company, using languages from C++ to TypeScript. 

  Liam worked as part of the Ecosystems Solution Team, alongside Senior Manager Lawrence Tam. Lawrence assigned Liam to a range of projects, including one that uses video for license plate recognition, and another that handles video streaming. "With Motorola Solutions being a security and safety company, its very inspiring to know my work is going to have a positive impact on the community," he says. "I hope to one day start my own company that can have a positive impact on the world. Until then I hope to continue working on code that goes toward the greater good."

• When UVic biology student Sebastian Leroux (he/him) was looking for a co-op position, he was also looking for a way to make a difference. As someone who is passionate about sustainability, he found the ideal position as environmental sustainability coordinator with BC Ferries' Environment Team. He spent last summer working on several projects that aim to improve water quality, fuel consumption and environmental impact. Sebastian was tasked with continuing a project that inventories wood that has been treated by Creosote and used at various sites across the Lower Mainland. BC Ferries has been transitioning to using steel instead of treated wood; Sebastian created an inventory, storage guidelines and disposal protocols that will help the company manage this transition. Liam also worked on water quantification for a site in Richmond, and a fuel consumption project for BC Ferries' vessels. "It is quite inspiring to work with my supervisor on fuel consumption due to the sheer amount we use. Each decision we make in terms of fuel type and route optimization etc. can have a monumental impact on green house gas emissions from our operations."

• Hailey Gascoigne, a fourth-year computer engineering student, recently completed an international co-op work term as a Research Intern for Smart Home Technologies at Thomas More University College Geel, located in Belgium. Hailey’s role entailed working on the research and development of smart home technologies, specifically with two emerging concepts in the field: Matter Standard and Thread Protocol. “I chose this because I have always really enjoyed math and science and I wanted to be in a program where I could be a part of developing and testing new technologies.”

• Driven by his keen interest in the intersection of technology and business, Curtis Lever (commerce) helped organize a networking night as part of his work term at the Thai-Canadian Chamber of Commerce. His involvement was inspired by his drive to advance the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.  The event, featuring a panel discussion on AI and its impact on both the business world and personal lives, drew over 70 attendees. Curtis actively engaged in discussions covering the influence of AI on diverse industries such as healthcare, education, marketing, finance and more. One particularly engaging topic, according to Curtis, centered around the pivotal role of AI in the future of education and business on both local and global scales. “As AI tools are introduced into the classroom, they have the potential to exacerbate education inequalities if only upper-class schools are able to provide their students with the benefits of incorporating AI into the educational environment. I think it’s really critical to consider how AI will impact education and to make sure that we are applying AI in a way that is equitable and enhances opportunity for all.”  As part of his work term, funded by the Queen Elizabeth Scholars Program, Curtis also 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.
• After completing his Bachelor of Education from the University of Saskatchewan’s Saskatchewan Urban Native Teachers Education Program, Connor Guillet enrolled in UVic’s Master’s in Educational Psychology. Recently, a co-op work term as an education intern at the University of Central Asia took Connor to Kyrgyzstan, where he put his education into practice. Throughout the work term, Connor tackled major projects like redesigning an online career preparedness course, providing career counselling to students, developing career support material and supporting the creation of a new career support section on the University of Central Asia’s website, developing skills in student engagement and instructional design.

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 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.

• UVic Co-op and Career's International, Indigenous and Accessibility (IIA) team was selected as the recipient of the 2024 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.
• In the fall of 2023, Co-op and Career’s events and communications team released the first season of Work It: A career exploration podcast, as a way to make career support content more accessible to students and alumni. Season 1 included interviews with four recent UVic graduates who are making a positive impact through their careers, as well as four 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. 

• For fall 2023, Co-op and Career’s optional and professional co-op programs aligned their application processes and deadlines to make it easier for students to take part. This involved 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 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.

• 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’s Career Services team developed and ran two new series of workshops to help students at various stages of their career development. The Launch your career adventure workshop series ran in the fall of 2023, while the “Jumpstart your job search” workshop series was offered in the spring of 2024. Both series were offered in person as well as virtually and provided students with modular options on topics ranging from demystifying the networking process to learning how to identify and engage with equitable and inclusive employers. The Jumpstart your job search series also supported students in their preparation for the West Coast Virtual Fair.

• UVic continued 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. The 2024 fair ran from March 19 to 20, 2024 and included a series of preparation workshops run by UVic and attended by students from UVic, UBC and SFU. More than 260 UVic students and alumni and 60 employers took part in the 2024 fair.

• 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. 

• Co-op and Career officially launched an innovative AI software called VMock to expand the options for students to gain individualized feedback on their résumés, interviews and more. VMock provides UVic students with accessible and interactive career-readiness support that can be accessed anywhere and at any time. Students are now able to upload their résumé or provide information about their upcoming interview and VMock will provide on-thespot feedback and sample questions. The software provides vital scaffolding to students as they search for work and prepare for interviews. 

• 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:

• Three new committees continued work this year: a cross-unit committee of Co-op and Career staff members worked 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.

• From 2019 to 2022, BC’s Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training invested $14.5 million to support co-op and work-integrated learning (COWIL) opportunities throughout the province. One of these projects was a partnership with Canada’s Digital Technology Supercluster to identify ways to address equity, diversity and inclusion concerns in the engineering and computer science sectors. This multi-faceted project concluded in 2023 and included a survey of co-op students and employers, a pilot use of software to de-bias the job application process and more. The results of this project will inform how post-secondaries and industry build and improve digital skill development.

• UVic's award-winning Indigenous International Work-Integrated Learning Exchance Program connects Indigenous students studying at UVic with co-op work terms with Indigenous centres at universities in Australia and New Zealand. This program was recognized by the Canadian Bureau of International Education (CBIE) in 2019, when it was awarded the Panorama Award. It also received the 2019 British Columbia Council for Internaiontal Education (BCCIE)'s Award for Outstanding Program in International Education.
• UVic Co-op and Career supports the World Partnership Walk each year to engage the community to fight global poverty and educate about global food security. Thanks to the work of UVic faculty champions, the university raises more than any other post-secondary institution towards this goal. UVic students are able to volunteer to organize the UVic walk and gain co-curricular record credit at UVic for this experience.

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 

• After completing his Bachelor of Education from the University of Saskatchewan’s Saskatchewan Urban Native Teachers Education Program, Connor Guillet enrolled in UVic’s Master’s in Educational Psychology. Recently, a co-op work term as an education intern at the University of Central Asia took Connor to Kyrgyzstan, where he put his education into practice. Throughout the work term, Connor tackled major projects like redesigning an online career preparedness course, providing career counselling to students, developing career support material and supporting the creation of a new career support section on the University of Central Asia’s website, developing skills in student engagement and instructional design.
• On the first episode of season 2 of Work It, hosts Katy and Emma speak about career journeys with Jayesh Vekariya, a UVic MBA graduate who is the CEO and one of the founders of Joni, a Victoria-based company that focuses on sustainable menstruation care. Jayesh shared his story of launching Joni and why menstruation care is linked to poverty reduction.
• During her work term at Apex K.K in Tokyo, commerce co-op student Lauren McDiarmid led an impactful movement that not only addressed the critical issue of zero hunger worldwide (UN SDG #2) but also promoted good health and well-being (UN SDG #3) and sought to reduce inequalities (UN SDG #10). Lauren chose to organize a food drive in support of Second Harvest, a local food bank in Tokyo, where she successfully raised 56,000¥ JPY and collected six boxes of food items generously donated by the team at Apex K.K. Executed over a week, the project made meaningful contributions by shedding light on local food scarcity issues and helping families and individuals in need. “The initiative not only provided tangible support but also ignited conversations around food insecurity. Lauren's work term, funded by Global Skills Opportunity, was part of a new UVic co-op initiative that helps students directly link their work to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

• 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 jumpstart 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.”

• Seoyoon Lee (biochemistry and microbiology) found the work term of her dreams at Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena in Germany. As a research intern, Seoyoon carved out opportunities to develop her cultural intelligence at every turn. Seoyoon engaged in two major events focused on community engagement: Diversity Days and Community of Action Week, aimed at fostering equality and promoting health and well-being. “It was interesting to hear how everyone’s solution to making Jena a more diverse and inclusive environment differed depending on their cultural background. This helped me realize that all the questions I should ask and the brainstorming I partake should conform to Germanic Europe’s cultural values more than my own two backgrounds.”

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 

• Mahsa Torabi is a third-year civil engineering co-op student from Iranwho recently completed a co-op work term as a visiting researcher at the Carbon Leadership Forum in Seattle, where she worked to develop LCA tools for designing carbon-absorbing buildings. "We aim to design and develop a tool for engineers, architects and designers to used state–of–the–art technologies and materials in building design and assess the performance and the amount of sequestered carbon." With a background grounded in high-performance buildings, Mahsa has devoted six years to serving as a sustainability consultant and lecturer at the university level. "As a building scientist and researcher, I perceive my role as integral to the collective effort combating climate change, fuelled by a profound desire to design the next generation of buildings—structures that stand as architectural marvels and beacons of environmental responsibility."
• When Liam Shatzel (he/him) was choosing a university, he zeroed in on UVic's co-op program in computer science. The chance to put his skills into action during his degree was a deciding factor. Liam soon found the perfect place to grow his skills when he was hired as a software developer co-op student with Motorola Solutions in Vancouver. He spent eight months writing and testing production code for the company, using languages from C++ to TypeScript. 

  Liam worked as part of the Ecosystems Solution Team, alongside Senior Manager Lawrence Tam. Lawrence assigned Liam to a range of projects, including one that uses video for license plate recognition, and another that handles video streaming. "With Motorola Solutions being a security and safety company, its very inspiring to know my work is going to have a positive impact on the community," he says. "I hope to one day start my own company that can have a positive impact on the world. Until then I hope to continue working on code that goes toward the greater good."

• When UVic biology student Sebastian Leroux (he/him) was looking for a co-op position, he was also looking for a way to make a difference. As someone who is passionate about sustainability, he found the ideal position as environmental sustainability coordinator with BC Ferries' Environment Team. He spent last summer working on several projects that aim to improve water quality, fuel consumption and environmental impact. Sebastian was tasked with continuing a project that inventories wood that has been treated by Creosote and used at various sites across the Lower Mainland. BC Ferries has been transitioning to using steel instead of treated wood; Sebastian created an inventory, storage guidelines and disposal protocols that will help the company manage this transition. Liam also worked on water quantification for a site in Richmond, and a fuel consumption project for BC Ferries' vessels. "It is quite inspiring to work with my supervisor on fuel consumption due to the sheer amount we use. Each decision we make in terms of fuel type and route optimization etc. can have a monumental impact on green house gas emissions from our operations."
• Hailey Gascoigne, a fourth-year computer engineering student, recently completed an international co-op work term as a Research Intern for Smart Home Technologies at Thomas More University College Geel, located in Belgium. Hailey’s role entailed working on the research and development of smart home technologies, specifically with two emerging concepts in the field: Matter Standard and Thread Protocol. “I chose this because I have always really enjoyed math and science and I wanted to be in a program where I could be a part of developing and testing new technologies.”
• 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.”

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 officially launched an innovative AI software called VMock to expand the options for students to gain individualized feedback on their résumés, interviews and more. VMock provides UVic students with accessible and interactive career-readiness support that can be accessed anywhere and at any time. Students are now able to upload their résumé or provide information about their upcoming interview and VMock will provide on-thespot feedback and sample questions. The software provides vital scaffolding to students as they search for work and prepare for interviews. 
• 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 recorded 8 podcast episodes with alumni and career educators and will launch the “Work It: a career exploration podcast” in September 2023 and a second season was launched in fall 2024.

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

• Mahsa Torabi is a third-year civil engineering co-op student from Iranwho recently completed a co-op work term as a visiting researcher at the Carbon Leadership Forum in Seattle, where she worked to develop LCA tools for designing carbon-absorbing buildings. "We aim to design and develop a tool for engineers, architects and designers to used state–of–the–art technologies and materials in building design and assess the performance and the amount of sequestered carbon." With a background grounded in high-performance buildings, Mahsa has devoted six years to serving as a sustainability consultant and lecturer at the university level. "As a building scientist and researcher, I perceive my role as integral to the collective effort combating climate change, fuelled by a profound desire to design the next generation of buildings—structures that stand as architectural marvels and beacons of environmental responsibility."
• When UVic biology student Sebastian Leroux (he/him) was looking for a co-op position, he was also looking for a way to make a difference. As someone who is passionate about sustainability, he found the ideal position as environmental sustainability coordinator with BC Ferries' Environment Team. He spent last summer working on several projects that aim to improve water quality, fuel consumption and environmental impact. Sebastian was tasked with continuing a project that inventories wood that has been treated by Creosote and used at various sites across the Lower Mainland. BC Ferries has been transitioning to using steel instead of treated wood; Sebastian created an inventory, storage guidelines and disposal protocols that will help the company manage this transition. Liam also worked on water quantification for a site in Richmond, and a fuel consumption project for BC Ferries' vessels. "It is quite inspiring to work with my supervisor on fuel consumption due to the sheer amount we use. Each decision we make in terms of fuel type and route optimization etc. can have a monumental impact on green house gas emissions from our operations."
• 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 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

• Mariana Latta Suazo is a mechanical engineering co-op student who worked in a Hydraulics Lab at the Universidad de Concepción, in Chile. This lab was part of the civil engineering department, and had various different water channels where they ran many different kinds of tests, studying flow, waves, turbulence, scour, and more. "This involved 3D modeling, design, 3D printing, prototyping, programming and testing. Despite my work being very mechanical, I loved getting to learn more about civil engineering and coastal engineering."
• Mahsa Torabi is a third-year civil engineering co-op student from Iranwho recently completed a co-op work term as a visiting researcher at the Carbon Leadership Forum in Seattle, where she worked to develop LCA tools for designing carbon-absorbing buildings. "We aim to design and develop a tool for engineers, architects and designers to used state–of–the–art technologies and materials in building design and assess the performance and the amount of sequestered carbon." With a background grounded in high-performance buildings, Mahsa has devoted six years to serving as a sustainability consultant and lecturer at the university level. "As a building scientist and researcher, I perceive my role as integral to the collective effort combating climate change, fuelled by a profound desire to design the next generation of buildings—structures that stand as architectural marvels and beacons of environmental responsibility."

• Jay Choi's first co-op work term led him to the BC Wildfire Service, where he worked as a First Nation and Indigenous Relations Officer. As an Indigenous studies student, he was excited by the community-based projects that he worked on. "When fire impacts Indigenous communities, our firefighters must respect the protocols on their territory. My highlight from this co-op term was when I was deployed to Williams Lake, BC, to work in Cariboo Fire Centre. During my deployment, I got to support publishing wildfire news to the public. I had a beautiful opportunity to attend the Nazko First Nations blessing ceremony for our firefighters, individual contractors, and the US Incident Management Team. Everyone gathered in a circle to respect Nazko First Nations protocol." Working with the BC Wildfire Service during the summer wildfire season, Jay produced communications based on the organization’s internal communications plan and helped support engagement activities. While much of his work took place in the organization’s Victoria office, Jay also spent time in Williams Lake, where he worked in the Cariboo Fire Centre and met crews from the United States and Australia who supported the firefighting effort alongside BC Wildfire Service.

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 

• Mariana Latta Suazo is a mechanical engineering co-op student who worked in a Hydraulics Lab at the Universidad de Concepción, in Chile. This lab was part of the civil engineering department, and had various different water channels where they ran many different kinds of tests, studying flow, waves, turbulence, scour, and more. "This involved 3D modeling, design, 3D printing, prototyping, programming and testing. Despite my work being very mechanical, I loved getting to learn more about civil engineering and coastal engineering."
• Morgan Chisan's passion for the marine environment came to life during her work term as a marine experiential educator at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre. She worked in animal care and education, where her responsibilities included caring for various marine vertebrates and invertebrates. This involved feeding them, monitoring their health, and creating their habitats. She also collected and returned animals that were brought to the station. "

  I assisted researchers and students with tasks related to their animals' well-being, contributing to high-quality data. I also enhanced the campus experience by organizing university programming and educating the public about the diverse organisms in Barkley Sound, including addressing questions about climate change. I believe education is crucial for protecting our planet, and I had the opportunity to share my passion for the ocean with many people."

• When UVic biology student Sebastian Leroux (he/him) was looking for a co-op position, he was also looking for a way to make a difference. As someone who is passionate about sustainability, he found the ideal position as environmental sustainability coordinator with BC Ferries' Environment Team. He spent last summer working on several projects that aim to improve water quality, fuel consumption and environmental impact. Sebastian was tasked with continuing a project that inventories wood that has been treated by Creosote and used at various sites across the Lower Mainland. BC Ferries has been transitioning to using steel instead of treated wood; Sebastian created an inventory, storage guidelines and disposal protocols that will help the company manage this transition. Liam also worked on water quantification for a site in Richmond, and a fuel consumption project for BC Ferries' vessels. "It is quite inspiring to work with my supervisor on fuel consumption due to the sheer amount we use. Each decision we make in terms of fuel type and route optimization etc. can have a monumental impact on green house gas emissions from our operations."
• Science student Chloe Leroy worked with the Universidad Catolica del Maule (UCM) in Chile to research ways to address deadly salmon pathogens. Her research will help scientists develop ways to treat antibiotic-resistant strains in farmed or wild populations of salmon.

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 

• Mahsa Torabi is a third-year civil engineering co-op student from Iranwho recently completed a co-op work term as a visiting researcher at the Carbon Leadership Forum in Seattle, where she worked to develop LCA tools for designing carbon-absorbing buildings. "We aim to design and develop a tool for engineers, architects and designers to used state–of–the–art technologies and materials in building design and assess the performance and the amount of sequestered carbon." With a background grounded in high-performance buildings, Mahsa has devoted six years to serving as a sustainability consultant and lecturer at the university level. "As a building scientist and researcher, I perceive my role as integral to the collective effort combating climate change, fuelled by a profound desire to design the next generation of buildings—structures that stand as architectural marvels and beacons of environmental responsibility."

• When Liam Shatzel (he/him) was choosing a university, he zeroed in on UVic's co-op program in computer science. The chance to put his skills into action during his degree was a deciding factor. Liam soon found the perfect place to grow his skills when he was hired as a software developer co-op student with Motorola Solutions in Vancouver. He spent eight months writing and testing production code for the company, using languages from C++ to TypeScript. 

  Liam worked as part of the Ecosystems Solution Team, alongside Senior Manager Lawrence Tam. Lawrence assigned Liam to a range of projects, including one that uses video for license plate recognition, and another that handles video streaming. "With Motorola Solutions being a security and safety company, its very inspiring to know my work is going to have a positive impact on the community," he says. "I hope to one day start my own company that can have a positive impact on the world. Until then I hope to continue working on code that goes toward the greater good."

• Jay Choi's first co-op work term led him to the BC Wildfire Service, where he worked as a First Nation and Indigenous Relations Officer. As an Indigenous studies student, he was excited by the community-based projects that he worked on. "When fire impacts Indigenous communities, our firefighters must respect the protocols on their territory. My highlight from this co-op term was when I was deployed to Williams Lake, BC, to work in Cariboo Fire Centre. During my deployment, I got to support publishing wildfire news to the public. I had a beautiful opportunity to attend the Nazko First Nations blessing ceremony for our firefighters, individual contractors, and the US Incident Management Team. Everyone gathered in a circle to respect Nazko First Nations protocol." Working with the BC Wildfire Service during the summer wildfire season, Jay produced communications based on the organization’s internal communications plan and helped support engagement activities. While much of his work took place in the organization’s Victoria office, Jay also spent time in Williams Lake, where he worked in the Cariboo Fire Centre and met crews from the United States and Australia who supported the firefighting effort alongside BC Wildfire Service.

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

• 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.

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

• In 2023/24, 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). 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 supports the World Partnership Walk each year to engage the community to fight global poverty and educate about global food security. Thanks to the work of UVic faculty champions, the university raises more than any other post-secondary institution towards this goal. UVic students are able to volunteer to organize the UVic walk and gain co-curricular record credit at UVic for this experience. Here's a profile of a faculty champion.
• Students from across academic program areas complete co-op work terms conducting research for municipal, provincial and federal government, including contributing to policy development.
• UVic's Strategic Framework Experiential Learning Fund (SF-ELF) provides financial support to help businesses to hire co-op students. Funding for employers includes 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).
• Co-op and Career partners with Camosun to promote co-op as a hiring strategy for local employers through agreements with the Victoria Chamber of Commerce and WestShore Chamber of Commerce. Chamber members hire students and students who contribute to the local economy and often find full-time employment with Chamber members after graduation.
• 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, 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

• 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.
• Jenna Inch (political science and European studies) spent a co-op term as a junior policy analyst with the Canada EU Trade and Investment Association (CEUTIA) in Brussels, Belgium, where she helped advance United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. 

  As part of her co-op experience, funded by Global Skills Opportunity, Jenna 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. As part of this experience, Jenna organized an educational mixer between young professionals from Belgium and Canada to dive into the Canada-EU relationship--it also doubled as a networking opportunity for individuals from diverse backgrounds.