Co-Operative Education

 

Co-operative Education is a method of education that combines academic study with Experiential Learning in the workplace.

 

THE FOLLOWING SERVICES ARE RENDERED BY THE CENTRE FOR CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION:

 

·           Liaison with commerce, industry and the public sector  to secure opportunities for Experiential Learning

·           Placement of students for experiential learning

·           Assistance provided to academic departments/schools with the monitoring of students placed for experiential learning

·           Assistance provided to academic departments/schools with the drafting of experiential learning programmes/study guides

·           Briefing sessions to students regarding experiential learning

·           Database of employers used for experiential learning

 

ADVANTAGES FOR STUDENTS:

 

·           Enhanced employability and career prospects

·           Make valuable contacts with employers

·           Gain work experience

·           Method of recruitment used by employers

·           Integrating theory with the practical work situation to gain a better understanding of theoretical concepts

 

ADVANTAGES FOR EMPLOYERS:

Co-operative Education students enhances professional recruitment

• Many employers regard Co-operative Education as a significant component of their recruitment strategy as there is consistent evidence that participation in Co-operative Education leads to higher acceptance ratios and a better recruitment yield,
• Employers and students are provided with an opportunity to determine, in a non-threatening situation, whether there is a suitable "match" for permanent employment,
• Co-operative Education provides special opportunities to select, train and develop the educationally disadvantaged,
• Experiential learning offers an ideal opportunity to assess the potential of employees for further development and advancement.

Other key advantages to employers include:

• Labour cost savings as students generally receive lower payment than academically qualified but inexperienced new recruits,
• Improved staff efficiency as students can be used to relieve higher paid permanent staff of routine tasks, to handle peak workloads and to carry out special projects,
• The employment of students can increase the motivation of permanent staff with whom they work,
• Co-operative Education strengthens the relationship between employers and educational institutions. Advantages include cross-pollination and improved career-orientated education as employers contribute to curriculum design and educational staff gain access to work experience.

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING POSITIONS

The Centre for Co-operative Education endeavours to assist students in securing placements for experiential learning, but cannot guarantee such placements.

Students must also accept responsibility for finding suitable positions where they can undertake the necessary experiential learning.

Information regarding experiential learning positions is made available to students during information sessions, via their Programme Heads or Directors of Schools, as well as by means of notice-boards.

In consultation with the University it is the responsibility of the student to ensure that he/she is receiving the prescribed experiential learning.

It is not possible to accommodate all experiential learning students in Bloemfontein, and therefore students may be required to undertake their experiential learning at a company/organisation outside Bloemfontein.

Since experiential learning is a pre-diploma requirement, students cannot reasonably expect to receive remuneration during this phase of their training. However, some companies/organisations do offer some form of allowance or wages.

REGISTRATION

Students must register at the University for each session of experiential learning.

ENQUIRIES:

Director : Mr. HS Jacobs

Tel. No.: +27 51 5073352

Fax. No.: +27 51 5073386

hjacobs@cut.ac.za

Co-ordinator : Mrs. MJ Stanley

Tel. No.: + 27 51 5073351

Fax. No.: +27 51 5073386

mstanley@cut.ac.za

Secretary : Mrs. AJ Vermeulen

Tel. No.: +27 51 5073350

Fax. No.: +27 51 507 3386

vermeula@cut.ac.za

 

THE CAREERS OFFICE

 

It can never be too early to prepare yourself for the world of work.

 

The Careers Office assists students in their career development and provides resources to educate and encourage them in their job hunting process.  Every student needs to be thoroughly prepared for an intense job search process. The following workshops are offered to enrolled students:

 

·           Self-Assessment

·           Covering Letter

·           CV-writing

·           Interviewing skills

 

The CV-database of final year students helps to link students with the industry and with permanent job placements.

 

At the careers library, students can get information about career opportunities, bursaries, company addresses, internships offered, etc.

 

Services are free of charge for all enrolled students.

 

 

ENQUIRIES:

Career Officer : Mrs. MME Spies

Tel. No.: +27 51 5073721

Fax. No.: +27 51 507 3280

mspies@cut.ac.za