Employer Requirements

Before deciding to bring in a co-op student, an employer should be prepared to:

1. Provide the student with progressive, meaningful work.
2. Offer the student 160 hours of employment during a 16-week semester for a one credit co-op course or 320 hours for a two credit co-op course.
3. Sign a Cooperative Education Agreement detailing the various parties’ responsibilities (co-op employer, student, Forsyth Tech) prior to the student beginning work.
4. Work with the student and instructor to develop the student’s measurable learning objectives for the co-op prior to the student beginning work.
5. Allow site visits by Forsyth Tech representatives (a preliminary site visit, then a minimum of one visit per student per semester).
6. Complete two evaluations of the student, one during the site visit and one at the end of the semester using the Employer End-of-Term Evaluation.
7. Review for accuracy and sign monthly time sheets (see sample time sheet here) prepared by the student to track co-op hours.
8. Assign the student a supervisor who is willing to take on the additional co-op responsibilities (helping the student choose learning objectives, evaluating the student’s progress on learning objectives, participating in a site visit, completing evaluations)
9. Advise the Cooperative Education Coordinator or instructor of changes in the student’s performance or attendance during the semester.

Co-Op Application Process for Employers

If you are an employer who would like to host a co-op student:

1. Complete a Co-op Position Request Form .
2. Email the completed form to Beth Agnello, Cooperative Education Coordinator at bagnello@forsythtech.edu.
3. Review resumes and information on qualified applicants provided to you by the Forsyth Tech co-op office.
4. Conduct interviews and any other screening typical for your business in making hiring decisions.
5. Notify the candidate and the co-op office of any co-op offers.

Wages

The co-op employer determines an appropriate wage for a given position and candidate. The wage should be fair for the position in your setting, based on the student’s prior experience and academic qualifications.  Some students are willing and able to accept co-op positions without remuneration; many are not.

Unemployment Insurance

By action of the federal government and the North Carolina General Assembly, co-op students may not apply for unemployment insurance based upon co-op employment.  Therefore, unemployment insurance premiums shall not be paid on co-op students working in the state.  (General Statutes of NC, 1974 Cumulative Supplement, Chapter 96-8, Section G, No. 16 and the ratification of HB247, on April 2, 1985, Section 1.G.S. 96-8(6)k.14.)

For more information, please contact Beth Agnello, Cooperative Education Coordinator at 336.757.3269 or bagnello@forsythtech.edu.  You may also contact the co-op instructor for a specific program area listed below.

Co-Op Directory