Parks Canada and Victoria solar company HES PV top co-op list

2016 Co-op Employers of the Year

More than 1,000 employer organizations hire UVic co-op students each year, giving them the opportunity to apply their academic studies and make a difference in the community. In 2016, two organizations were recognized for their outstanding student mentorship: Victoria-based solar energy specialist HES PV was named the 2016 UVic Co-op Employer of the Year (fewer than 50 employees), while Parks Canada was awarded the 2016 Co-op Employer of the Year (more than 50 employees).

A prolific employer in British Columbia and at sites across Canada, Parks Canada has mentored more than 230 UVic co-op students. The BC Coastal Field Unit in Victoria hired 24 students in 2016 alone—these students worked in a wide range of positions including Species at Risk Garry Oak recovery technicians, National Historic Site social media researchers, and visitor service attendant assistants.

Parks Canada hires students from across all of UVic co-op program areas and is recognized for its strong commitment to mentorship—staff encourage students to learn about the higher-level policy and research that guides their projects and to spend time with several different teams. This approach helps students gain a bigger-picture understanding of Parks Canada and poises them for future work within the agency. Beyond co-op, Parks Canada staff contribute to UVic classes in the Faculties of Fine Arts and Social Sciences, regularly take part in mock interview clinics and are active participants at several UVic events.

“We're grateful for the fresh perspective and enthusiasm co-op students bring to Parks Canada,” says Helen Davies, field unit superintendent for Parks Canada’s Coastal BC Field Unit. “Whether monitoring rare sand dune ecosystems or helping the public discover our special places, Parks Canada benefits each year from the unique contributions of co-op students who, in turn, make the most of the hands-on experiences we offer.”

With less than a dozen regular staff, HES’s hiring record is impressive. The solar electricity specialist has hired 34 co-op students since the summer of 2009, including 18 students on their first work term. Co-op students are often hired from the Faculty of Engineering and have contributed to projects that have made a real impact in communities across Canada. A local example is the T’Souke Solar Project, which involved the installation of solar panels on various buildings throughout the T’Souke First Nation community.

“As a former UVic co-op student, I understand the value to both employers and students that comes from the co-op program. At HES PV we continue to recognize the important role co-op students can play in our organization,” says Daniel Partridge from HES PV. “Our co-op students work on projects ranging from designing new photovoltaic systems to helping on installations. The determination and dedication they bring each day allows HES PV to undertake bigger and more complex projects, which ultimately provides our students with a more fulfilling educational experience.”

HES PV has also supported experiential learning at UVic by participating in engineering classes on the topic of sustainable energy systems, and by taking part in the Co-op Student for a Day shadowing initiative, which invites students who are interested in co-op to spend a day with co-op employer organizations.

“We're so thankful to HES PV and to Parks Canada for the mentorship and incredible learning that they provide to our co-op students,” says Norah McRae, executive director of UVic Co-op and Career. “Their commitment to supporting our students’ personal growth and their focus on fostering community across our region and beyond are just a few of the reasons that we’re proud to partner with these organizations.”

HES PV and Parks Canada were formally recognized at Co-op and Career’s Employer Appreciation Reception on Feb. 22.