In almost any conversation involving truck maintenance, someone will complain about the challenge of finding qualified help.

Competent, professional technicians, parts people and managers are in high demand and most anyone looking for a position has many options to choose from.  This makes it difficult to hire new people for expansion or even to keep up with attrition.

One solution is to work with you local community college or technical school to bring new people in to your business through what is known as Cooperative Education.

Cooperative Education provides career related work experience in business and industry. This academic program integrates classroom study with a specific period of related supervised learning. Co-op not only enriches the students education, it helps to provide employers with students better prepared to meet the challenges of a changing workforce.

There are many benefits to the Employer in hiring a Co-op Student:

• Well-prepared Short-term Employees
• Flexibility with Human Resource Assignments
• Cost-effective Long-term Recruitment
• Access to Candidates with Sought-after-Skills and/or Background
• Increased Staff Diversity
• Partnership with Schools
• Employer Input on Quality and Relevance of Curriculum
• Cost-effective Productivity

How Does Co-op Work?

There are several plans by which a student may participate in Co-op, including the parallel, alternating or extended day plan. The parallel plan allows the students to work part-time while attending classes part-time or full-time. The alternating plan is one in which students alternate semesters of full-time study with semesters of full-time work. The extended day plan is where the students work full-time, either first, second or third shift, while enrolled part-time at school.

What Are the Employer's Responsibilities?

• Provide meaningful and challenging work for the student which is closely related to the student's academic program of study.
• Designate a supervisor who will work with the student in achieving the student's learning objectives.
• Provide a safe and appropriate environment.
• Evaluate the student's performance at the end of each semester.
• Allow an on-site visit from a CPCC representative.

How Can An Employer Become Involved With Co-op?

• Contact the Co-op Program at your local Community college or TechnicalSchool to learn about the specifics of their program.
• Designate a Co-op contact person in your company.
• Decide where Co-op students may be best utilized in your organization.
• Provide a clear job/project description for the work experience
• Market your position to prospective students.
• Review the resumes of candidates sent to you by the Co-op Office.
• Interview the outstanding candidates and make your hiring choice.

Cooperative Education can be an important tool to help you meet growing business demands and prepare your staff for future business challenges.

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