It is no secret that the battle for the shrinking pool of talent from U.S. construction schools is hotter than ever. How can contractors be seriously considered by top graduating students and meet their staffing needs in this tight employment market? One proven method is to make a serious commitment to a formal cooperative education program. Establishing a relationship with at least one college or university that offers a construction or civil engineering cooperative education program can keep you connected to the talent pipeline.
What is Cooperative Education?
In 2006, cooperative education celebrates the 100th anniversary of its 1906 founding at the University of Cincinnati. Since its inception, cooperative education has had a positive impact on American industry.
A cooperative education program is an undergraduate course of study that involves multiple quarters or semesters in which students alternate periods of required employment with school in their major field. Although many schools have voluntary co-op or summer internship programs (in which students are on their own to find work), the most effective programs are those with mandatory student participation, requiring a minimum number of periods to qualify for graduation.
Benefits of a Cooperative Education Program
Better Recruiting Results
One of the greatest benefits of cooperative education programs is regular access to students who are more likely to accept full-time employment offers from their co-op employers than non co-op students. Why? Because students gain a good feel for the company's culture and benefits while building relationships with their co-workers during their co-op work periods. Co-op employers regularly report that they experience over 80 percent success in hiring graduating seniors who have co-oped previously with their company. While few companies are tracking long-term retention of their co-op hires, it is reasonable to assume that new hires who have co-oped with your company are more likely to be retained over time than those who did not.
No Obligation Test Drive
The best test of the future potential of an employee is found in a true work environment, where the student's ability to interact with internal and external customers is on display under real working conditions. Depending on the school program's guidelines, students often are required to commit to at least two co-op periods with the same company before they may consider other co-op employment options. This provides you with an opportunity to assess the student's abilities while working with different supervisors, projects and departments. If the "fit" is right in the eyes of the student and your company, you will both quickly arrive at a point of comfort and trust with each other. It is not unusual for a co-op student to work all of their required co-op periods solely with your company and to have a full-time job offer from you in hand prior to graduation.
Cost-Effective and Productive Staff
One of the largest challenges facing any company is new employee training and orientation. Co-op programs make training much easier by teaching prospective students "the company's way of doing things." New full-time hires who have co-oped with your company will arrive "pre-oriented" to your processes, systems, culture and staff, which allows them to be productive more quickly upon arrival. Co-op students are paid for their work but typically at roughly one-half to three-quarters the rate of a new graduate. They are typically highly motivated and inclined to make a positive impression to improve their chances of a full-time employment offer upon graduation. Most of these students-through advanced teaching methodologies, curriculum focused on workplace realities and student competitions such as the ASC student competitions ( www.ascweb.org)-are ready, willing and able to add value from day one. You will be amazed by the impact that co-op students will have within your organization.
Company Visibility and Recognition
Many companies that are active in co-op education programs are typically involved in many other ways at the college or university such as speaking, guest lecturing and
