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What is a placement or co-op, anyway?
“Work-integrated learning (WIL) is a form of curricular experiential education that formally integrates a student’s academic studies with quality experiences within a workplace or practice setting. WIL experiences include an engaged partnership of at least: an academic institution, a host organization, and a student. WIL can occur at the course or program level and includes the development of student learning objectives and outcomes related to: employability, agency, knowledge and skill mobility and life-long learning.” (CEWIL, 2021)
Cambrian College assists with obtaining opportunities and monitors the pre-placement or co-op requirements for students to meet the learning outcomes of their practical courses in many of the School of Health and Wellness, School of Business, Creative Industries and Information Technology, Schools of Skills Trades, Engineering Technology & Environmental Studies, Schools of Community Services, Interdisciplinary Studies and Public Safety programs.
Want to learn more about your specific requirements to go on placement? Click on your School below:
Schools Of Health and Wellness
Pre-Placement 101
Students are about to embark on an exciting component of their education as they work towards becoming a professional in their field! Before beginning placement, students must meet important health and safety requirements. These requirements are legislated and are mandatory requirements of the College’s placement agencies’ occupational health and safety departments. Should a student fail to meet these requirements by the given deadline, students will be unable to proceed with their placement. This can jeopardize a student’s academic standing and lead to program withdrawal without a refund.
When to Start?
It takes time to gather and complete all the requirements. Students should start the process two to three months prior to the due date (ex: a Police Vulnerable Sector Check can take up to three months to process and complete).
It is important to keep all original medical documents and records as students may be required to present them throughout their placement. All certificates must remain valid for the entirety of the placement.
These requirements are mandatory and non-negotiable, and any deficiencies identified must be met prior to beginning placement. All costs, service fees, and fines associated with the overall requirements, and potentially the program withdrawal are the responsibility of the student. Note: Some agencies have their own deadlines, fees and pre-requisites that need to be adhered to should a placement be completed there.
Forms and Additional Requirements
It is the student’s responsibility to complete and submit all records and documents required for placement in their program. All documents, certificates, waivers, and medical records are required by the given deadline prior to the start of registration for placement courses to ensure eligibility for placement. The student assumes all responsibility for these matters. Failure to meet deadlines, or eligibility requirements, may preclude students from taking placement courses. Students should be aware that the college will not refund tuition if access to a placement is denied based on failure to meet eligibility criteria.
International students are required to have a Co-op Work Permit for all placements prior to starting in co-op, clinical and/or field placement facilities.
Students must have a valid e-mail address and check and respond to e-mails on a regular basis. An appropriate and professional email address must be used.
Placement opportunities are assigned. Requests for changes in placement locations or sites after site selection is completed are not typically permitted. Sourcing out placements independently of the College process is not permitted. Students must provide proof of registration in their placement course to their Placement Coordinator, prior to starting placement at an off-campus location. Workplace insurance is active for registered students only and can be verified by printing a proof of registration document from myCambrian. Without the proof of registration document, Placement Coordinators cannot verify workplace insurance coverage. Students cannot attend placement until registration is confirmed. Students who attend placement without first registering in their placement courses will be removed from their placement site and the employer will be advised of the reason. Workplace insurance protects students and employers in the event of an accident. It is a critical component of attending placements off-campus.
Injury Reporting
Ontario students are eligible for Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) coverage while on unpaid work placements during their program of study. The Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU) also provides Chubb Private Insurance coverage to students should the unpaid placement required by their program of study take place with an employer who is not covered under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act. Students must immediately report any workplace related injury or disease to their placement agency as well as their Cambrian College placement coordinator.
Synergy Gateway Inc. – Verified
Cambrian College collaborates with Synergy Gateway Inc., a professionally managed AI based compliance management system, who reviews and provides clearance on all mandatory pre-placement requirements. Students will get access to Synergy’s proprietary platform Verified once they are registered for courses. Students cannot make an account or log in to Verified until after they are a registered student. Verified is where students will login and create a secure account to submit medical and non-medical documentation. A detailed communication package will be available through myCambrian to assist in completing placement requirements. Students must always keep copies of their original documents as a placement site may ask to see original copies. Students will use Verified to upload forms and supporting documents as well as to check clinical placement eligibility status. Students will be shared information and have the opportunity to learn more on how to submit to Verified in the semesters before placement begins.
Student Required Steps
Step 1: Complete pre-placement requirements.
Pre-Placement Requirement Clearance Information pages are provided for each specific program and outline the specifics on the requirements, process of uploading documentation, booking your Electronic Requirements Verification (ERV) review and the costs associated with this process.
Step 2: Upload all your documentation by 9:00am (EST) on the day of your scheduled Electronic Requirements Verification (ERV) review. Ensure this is done before the deadline date provided for clearance. Students will receive a Pre-Placement Completion Certificate (stamped document) once their documents have been reviewed and cleared for their records.
All documentation must be uploaded to the student’s Verified profile prior to their deadline date. It is the student’s responsibility to always keep this information up-to-date and safe.
Program: APPD – Year 1
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Program: DHYG – Year 1 | Additional DHYG Information
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Program: DHYG – Year 2 | Additional DHYG Information
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Program: DHYG – Year 3 | Additional DHYG Information
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Program: MASG – Year 2 | Additional MASG Information
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Program: MASG – Year 3 | Additional MASG Information
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Program: MDLY – Year 1 | Additional MDLY Information
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Program: MDLY – Year 2 | Additional MDLY Information
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Program: MDLY – Year 3 | Additional MDLY Information
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Program: MRIP – Year 1 | Additional MRIP Information
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Program: MRPG – Year 3 | Additional MRPG Information
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Program: NURS – Year 1 | Additional NURS Information
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Program: NURS – Year 2 | Additional NURS Information
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Program: NURS – Year 3 | Additional NURS Information
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Program: NURS – Year 4 | Additional NURS Information
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Program: OPTA – Year 2 | Additional OPTA Information
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Program: PARA – Year 1 | Additional PARA Information
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Program: PARA – Year 2 | Additional PARA Information
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Program: PNDP – Year 1 | Additional PNDP Information
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Program: PNDP – Year 2 | Additional PNDP Information
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Program: PSPG – Year 1 | Additional PSPG Information
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FAQ
The following are some frequently asked questions about placement and student responsibilities. Read carefully and contact the Placement Coordinator with any questions.
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- Can placements occur outside of Sudbury, ON?
- Yes. Students can be assigned placements anywhere within Canada.
- Can placements occur outside of Sudbury, ON?
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- Are placements paid?
- Health placements are NOT paid.
- Are placements paid?
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- Can required hours be completed on a part-time basis?
- No.
- Can required hours be completed on a part-time basis?
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- Can placement start early?
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- No. Placement cannot start early for liability and insurance purposes.
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- Can placement start early?
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- Can a student contact Synergy directly if they have a question?
- Yes, students may contact Synergy by visiting synergyhelps.com
- Can a student contact Synergy directly if they have a question?
School of Business, Creative Industries and Information Technology
Students are about to embark on an exciting component of their education as they work towards becoming a professional in their field! Before beginning co-op or placement, students must meet important requirements. Should a student fail to meet these requirements by the given deadline, students will be unable to proceed with their co-op or placement. This can jeopardize a student’s academic standing and lead to program withdrawal without a refund.
When to Start?
It takes time to gather and complete all the requirements. Students should start the process two to three months prior to the due date (ex: a Police Vulnerable Sector Check can take up to three months to process and complete).
It is important to keep all original documents and records as students may be required to present them throughout their co-op or placement. All certificates must remain valid for the entirety of the co-op or placement.
These requirements are mandatory and non-negotiable, and any deficiencies identified must be met prior to beginning co-op or placement. All costs, service fees, and fines associated with the overall requirements, and potentially the program withdrawal are the responsibility of the student.
Forms and Additional Requirements
It is the student’s responsibility to complete and submit all records and documents required for co-op or placement in their program. To ensure eligibility for co-op or placement, students must submit all documents, certificates, and waivers by the given deadline. The student assumes all responsibility for these matters. Failure to meet deadlines, or meet eligibility requirements, may preclude students from taking co-op or placement courses. Students should be aware that the college will not refund tuition if access to a co-op or placement is denied based on failure to meet eligibility criteria.
International students are required to have a Co-op Work Permit for all placements prior to starting in co-op, clinical, and/or field placement facilities.
Students must have a valid e-mail address, and check and respond to e-mails on a regular basis. An appropriate and professional email address must be used.
- Placements in the Schools of Business, Creative Industries and Information Technology are typically 7 or 8 weeks in duration, depending on the program. Students will work the full-time office hours of the participating employer (typically 35-37.5 hours per week).
- All courses in the program curriculum up to the beginning of the work placement must be successfully completed and a minimum program GPA of 2.0 is required.
In addition to the prerequisites listed above, the following requirements must be met for a student to qualify for co-op or placement:
- Attendance is mandatory at any meetings, workshops, or seminars scheduled to prepare the student for the work placement. Dates and times will be communicated to students in advance of the scheduled events.
- Students must have prepared and submitted a formal resume to the Placement Coordinator by the deadline communicated. The resume must be submitted in electronic format. The student must use the email address that is appropriate and professional. Employers may contact the student by either phone, email, or both.
- Students should be prepared, when requested, to undertake an interview with a prospective employer. It is important that students are prepared for the interview. Research the organization in advance. The student should ask the employer about the role and the organization.
Placement / Co-op Rules
The following general rules apply regarding arranging placements and student professional conduct:
- Cambrian College has some placement employer contacts/opportunities to provide to students; however, students should be prepared to seek out opportunities on their own. The College will provide students with a supporting document to give to a prospective employer, outlining the requirements and details of the placement. Please note the following restrictions as to placement and selection:
- The placement must be program relevant.
- A member of the student’s family cannot own the company.
- The Placement Supervisor at the company cannot be a member of the student’s family.
- The position in the company cannot be one that the student has performed in the past or is presently working part-time.
Placement Checklist
Mandatory | Recommended | If needed | ||
1 | Attend placement presentation (or watch recording) | X | ||
2 | Complete Step 1 to 6 on the myCareer portal | X | ||
3 | Upload Co-op Permit to iCent app (International students only) | X | ||
4 | Access Career Centre services to write your resume and cover letter
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5 | Attend a proofreading session in the Learning Centre | X | ||
6 | Apply to postings on the myCareer portal | X | ||
7 | Apply to placements on my own | X | ||
8 | Book an appointment with your Placement Coordinator | X | ||
9 | Keep track of my applications | X | ||
10 | Follow up with employers | X | ||
11 | Book a mock interview/access Devant A.I. interview tool | X | ||
12 | Complete Step 10 in myCareer (if you found your own placement) | X | ||
13 | Register for the placement/capstone course using myCambrian | X | ||
14 | At the end of your placement, submit your report and schedule your oral presentation with your faculty for final grading | X |
Injury Reporting
Ontario students are eligible for Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) coverage while on unpaid work placements during their program of study. The Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU) also provides Chubb Private Insurance coverage to students should their unpaid placement required by their program of study take place with an employer who is not covered under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act. Students must immediately report any workplace related injury or disease to their placement agency as well as their Cambrian College placement coordinator.
FAQ
The following are some frequently asked questions about placement and student responsibilities. Read carefully and contact the Placement Coordinator with any questions.
- Can placements occur outside of Sudbury, ON?
- Yes. Students can attend placements anywhere within Canada.
- Does time off for lunch during a workday count towards the total placement hours?
- No. Only hours worked can count towards placement hours. However, morning and afternoon breaks (typically 15 minutes in duration) will count.
- Are placements paid?
- Typically, placements are NOT paid. However, please refer to the Job-Out procedure and speak with the Placement Coordinator for more details.
- Can required hours be completed on a part-time basis?
- Yes, however, students must finish the required hours by the end of the spring/summer semester.
- Can placement start early?
- No. Placement cannot start early for liability and insurance purposes. Placement may start days or weeks later, but not before.
- Can more than one student work with the same employer?
- Yes, as long as the employer is willing to take on more than one student.
Schools of Skilled Trades, Engineering Technology, & Environmental Studies
Pre-Co-op or Pre-Placement 101
Students are about to embark on an exciting component of their education as they work towards becoming a professional in their field! Before beginning co-op or placement, students must meet important requirements. Students should pro-actively develop their career portfolio by accessing the Elevate Your Career, powered by Devant platform and attending workshops hosted by the Career Centre. Additionally, students should schedule a 1:1 appointment with Career Advisors and the School’s Student Placement Coordinator to review their career documents and discuss their co-op or placement goals, and the Student Placement Coordinator will provide program-specific information. Should a student fail to meet these requirements by the given deadline, students will be unable to proceed with their co-op or placement. This can jeopardize a student’s academic standing and lead to program withdrawal without a refund.
When to Start?
It takes time to gather and complete all the requirements. Students can meet with a Career Advisor and their Student Placement Coordinator immediately. For paperwork, students should start the process two to three months prior to the due date (ex: a Police Vulnerable Sector Check can take up to three months to process and complete). Forms and placement requirements are available under the WIL tab in the myCareer portal. Students will receive detailed information from their Student Placement Coordinator.
It is important to keep all original documents and records as students may be required to present them throughout their co-op or placement. All certificates must remain valid for the entirety of the co-op or placement.
These requirements are mandatory and non-negotiable, and any deficiencies identified must be met prior to beginning co-op or placement. All costs, service fees, and fines associated with the overall requirements, and potentially the program withdrawal are the responsibility of the student.
Forms and Additional Requirements
It is the student’s responsibility to complete and submit all records and documents required for placement in their program. All forms are required by the given deadline prior to the start of registration for placement courses to ensure eligibility for co-op or placement.
International students are required to have a Co-op Work Permit for all placements prior to starting in co-op, clinical and/or field placement facilities.
Students must have a valid e-mail address and check and respond to e-mails on a regular basis. An appropriate and professional email address must be used.
Co-op / Placement Rules
The following general rules apply regarding arranging co-op or placements and the professional conduct required by students:
- Students should be prepared to seek out opportunities on their own. The Partnership Coordinator will have some established opportunities to provide students, but ultimately it is the student’s responsibility to secure a co-op or placement.
- Students should be prepared, when requested, to undertake an interview with a prospective employer. It is important that students are prepared for the interview. Research the organization in advance. The student should ask the employer about the role and the organization.
- It is the student’s responsibility to find appropriate attire and PPE needed for co-op or placement.
- Students are required to work with their Student Placement Coordinator to secure a co-op or placement. The Partnership Coordinator will share opportunities for students to apply and compete for through the myCareer portal. Students are also expected to network with industry partners.
Student Required Steps to Prepare for Co-op / Placement
- Student are responsible for accessing the Elevate Your Career, powered by Devant platform.
- Attend a Career Centre workshop
- Have a 1:1 appointment with a Career Advisor
- Maintain ongoing contact with their Student Placement Coordinator
Injury Reporting
Ontario students are eligible for Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) coverage while on unpaid work placements during their program of study. The Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU) also provides Chubb Private Insurance coverage to students should their unpaid placement required by their program of study take place with an employer who is not covered under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act.
Students must immediately report any workplace related injury or disease to their placement agency as well as their Cambrian College Placement Coordinator.
FAQ
The following are some frequently asked questions about co-op or placement and student responsibilities. Read carefully and contact the Placement Coordinator with any questions.
- Can co-op or placements occur outside of Sudbury, ON?
- Yes. Students can attend co-op or placements anywhere within Canada.
- Can co-op or placement start early?
- No. Placement cannot start early for liability and insurance purposes. Co-op or placement may start days or weeks later, but not before.
- Can more than one student work with the same employer?
- Yes, as long as the employer is willing to take on more than one student.
Schools of Community Services, Interdisciplinary Studies, and Public Safety
Students are about to embark on an exciting component of their education as they work towards becoming a professional in their field! Before beginning placement, students must meet important health and safety requirements. These requirements are legislated and are mandatory requirements of the College’s placement agencies’ occupational health and safety departments. Should a student fail to meet these requirements by the given deadline, students will be unable to proceed with their placement. This can jeopardize a student’s academic standing and lead to program withdrawal without a refund.
When to Start?
It takes time to gather and complete all the requirements. Students should start the process two to three months prior to the due date (ex: a Police Vulnerable Sector Check can take up to three months to process and complete).
It is important to keep all original medical documents and records as students may be required to present them throughout their placement. All certificates must remain valid for the entirety of the placement.
These requirements are mandatory and non-negotiable, and any deficiencies identified must be met prior to beginning placement. All costs, service fees, and fines associated with the overall requirements, and potentially the program withdrawal are the responsibility of the student.
Note: Some agencies have their own deadlines, fees and pre-requisites that need to be adhered to should a placement be completed there.
Forms and Additional Requirements
It is the student’s responsibility to complete and submit all records and documents required for placement in their program. All documents, certificates, waivers, and medical records are required by the given deadline prior to the start of registration for placement courses to ensure eligibility for placement. The student assumes all responsibility for these matters. Failure to meet deadlines, or eligibility requirements, may preclude a student from taking placement courses. Students should be aware that the college will not refund tuition if access to a placement is denied based on failure to meet eligibility criteria.
International students are required to have a valid Co-op Work Permit downloaded to Icent a minimum of 2 weeks prior to placement start date for all clinical and/or field placement facilities.
Students must have a valid e-mail address and check and respond to e-mails on a regular basis. An appropriate and professional email address must be used.
If a program has a field seminar course, students may be asked to fill out a placement agency interest form. The Placement Coordinator’s goal is to obtain placement in an agency of interest to the student, but this is not guaranteed. Placement opportunities will then be assigned. Requests for changes in placement locations or sites after site selection is completed are not typically permitted. Sourcing out placements independently of the college process is not permitted.
Students must provide proof of registration in their placement course to their Placement Coordinator, prior to starting placement at an off-campus location. Workplace insurance is active for registered students only and can be verified by printing a proof of registration document from myCambrian. Without the proof of registration document, Placement Coordinators cannot verify workplace insurance coverage. Students cannot attend placement until registration is confirmed. Students who attend placement without first registering in their placement courses will be removed from their placement site and the employer will be advised of the reason. Workplace insurance protects students and employers in the event of an accident. It is a critical component of attending placements off-campus.
Injury Reporting
Ontario students are eligible for Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) coverage while on unpaid work placements during their program of study. The Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU) also provides Chubb Private Insurance coverage to students should their unpaid placement required by their program of study take place with an employer who is not covered under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act.
Students must immediately report any workplace related injury or disease to their placement agency as well as their Cambrian College placement faculty supervisor.
Synergy Gateway Inc. – Verified
Cambrian College collaborates with Synergy, a software platform, who reviews and provides clearance on all mandatory pre-placement requirements.
The following programs use Synergy: ADMH, CHSN,CJSP, CYCP, DSWP, ECEP, SSPG/SSIS
NOTE: A Synergy deadline can be up to four weeks before placement begins.
If a student’s program utilizes Synergy, the student will be given access to Synergy and create a secure account to submit their placement documentation. A detailed communication package will be available through myCambrian to assist in completing placement requirements. Students must always keep copies of their original documents as a placement site may ask to see original copies. Students will use Verified to upload forms and supporting documents as well as to check clinical placement eligibility status. Students will be shared information and have the opportunity to learn more on how to submit to Verified in the semesters before placement begins.
For programs that do not use Synergy: Students will be responsible for obtaining prerequisites that their placement agency requires and submit them directly to the agency prior to or on the first day of placement.
The School of Justice and Community Services recommends working with NEOMO Medical and Sudbury Primacy Medical Centre to fulfill these requirements as they are familiar with the needs and processes.
Student Required Steps
Step 1: Complete pre-placement requirements.
Pre-Placement Requirement Clearance Information pages are provided for each specific program and outline the specifics on the requirements, process of uploading documentation, booking your Electronic Requirements Verification (ERV) review and the costs associated with this process.
Step 2: Upload all your documentation by 9:00am (EST) on the day of your scheduled Electronic Requirements Verification (ERV) review. Ensure this is done before the deadline date provided for clearance. Students will receive a Pre-Placement Completion Certificate (stamped document) once their documents have been reviewed and cleared for their records.
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Program: CHSN
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CHSN: Does not use Synergy, WHMIS and Vulnerable Sector check & enhanced documentation (if student wants to do placement in a federal setting) must be provided directly to the placement agency.
Program: CYCP
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Program: DSWP
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Program: ECE
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Program: SSPG SSIS: Does not use Synergy.
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Learn more about vaccines at phsd.ca.
Students are encouraged to review recommendations of prerequisites required from the sector they hope to be placed in. We strongly encourage students obtain a vulnerable sector record check at minimum. Students will be required to provide prerequisites directly to their placement agency.
FAQ
The following are some frequently asked questions about placement and student responsibilities. Read carefully and contact the Placement Coordinator with any questions.
- Can placements occur outside of Sudbury, ON?
- Yes, students can be placed anywhere within Canada. Students are encouraged to provide options of where they would like to go on placement if being placed outside of Sudbury.
- Does time off for lunch during a workday count towards the total placement hours?
- No. Only hours worked can count towards placement hours. However, morning and afternoon breaks (typically 15 minutes in duration) will count.
- Are placements paid?
- Typically, placements are NOT paid. However, please refer to the Job-Out procedure and speak with the Placement Coordinator for more details..
- Can the required hours be completed on a part-time basis?
- Yes, however, students must finish the required hours by the end of the spring/summer semester.
- Can placement start early?
- No. Placement cannot start early for liability and insurance purposes. Placement may start days or weeks later, but not before.
- Can more than one student work with the same employer?
- Yes, as long as the employer is willing to take on more than one student.
- Can a student contact Synergy directly if they have a question?
- Yes, students may contact Synergy by visiting synergyhelps.com