Co-op Student of the Year Award
Nomination Guidelines
This Award recognizes the achievement of one University Co-op student and one College Co-op student. Each winning student receives a certificate and $750.
The Co-op Student of the Year Award is presented to one student attending a university and one student attending a college, who have showcased exceptional job achievement, extra-curricular involvement, and a strong contribution to Co-operative Education.
The winning student receives an award of $750.
Are You Eligible?
To be eligible for the Co-op Student of the Year Award you must:

Be a full-time student in an undergraduate, graduate, diploma, advanced diploma, or certificate program at the institution.

Complete the nominated work term within the calendar year.

Have completed co-op work terms that meet EWO's Definition of Co-operative Education.

Be nominated by an individual from an EWO member institution or a participating co-op employer.
EWO requests that each institution or employer may nominate no more than two candidates.
Selection Points Criteria:
35
Job Achievement
10
Contribution to Co-operative Education
30
Personal Statement
10
Contribution to Extra-curricular activities
15
Overall Assessment / Personal Comments
Nomination Package Checklist:
Please ensure that the Nomination Package contains all the following documents, in the following order:
- Nomination Information Form
- Employer Nomination Form
- Institution Nomination Form
- Student Nomination Essay
-
Student’s Current Resume
Co-op work terms/experience should be clearly identified, and noted with work term dates. Extracurricular and community activities, scholarships and awards, etc. should also be noted. (2 pages maximum, single sided) -
Student’s Portfolio (Optional)
Any items that will provide a better idea of who you are as a person. You may submit photocopies of articles, employer evaluations, letters of recommendation, published work, awards and citations, etc. (2 pages maximum, double sided)
Submission Deadline:
Instructions For Submitting a Nomination
Please cover the following points in your statement. Where possible please be specific in your examples and offer any insight you may have on the student’s work habits and character:
Employer Nomination
- The student’s duties/responsibilities incl. any responsibilities/tasks given to the student outside of their basic duties based on their performance in the role
- The student’s performance in comparison to your expectations or in comparison to other co-op students
- Any outstanding work achievements (cost savings, process/quality improvements, design/development innovations, improved customer service, significant research or other initiatives etc.)
- How this student, or co-op students in general, have benefited your department/company
Important: Please include your digital signature at the bottom of the statement.
Institution Nomination
- The student’s achievement in the co-op program such as:
– creating marketing/promotional materials
– participating in networking/recruitment events
– serving as an ambassador for the institution and department
– acting as a mentor to other Co-op/WIL students
– creating / strengthening existing Co-op/WIL opportunities - Any achievements, awards, and extracurricular activities that you feel are worthy of mention; the student’s activities in support of co-op education; any insights on the student’s personal qualities you feel warrant consideration
Important: Please include your digital signature at the bottom of the statement.
Student Nomination
- Involvement in Co-op – including your reasons for participating in Co-op
- Career Development – How this Co-op experience has enhanced or impacted your overall career development
- Academic Development – Including how this Co-op experience has enhanced or impacted your current academics; and
- Personal Development – How Co-op/WIL has enhanced your personal development
- Community Involvement – How you have been able to give back to your community
Important: Please include your digital signature at the bottom of the statement.
If you have never signed a document using a digital ID in Adobe Reader before, you can view this link for more details. Please be aware that once the form is signed, all fields will become read-only and no new edits will be allowed.