Manufacturing

Nfinite Nanotechnology is shaping the future of packaging with ��ݮ��Ƶ talent

Christie Zeb — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 15:06:00 +0000

Nfinite Nanotechnology is shaping the future of packaging with ��ݮ��Ƶ talent Christie Zeb Wed, 02/05/2025 - 10:06

By: Christie Zeb (she/her)

��ݮ��Ƶ co-op students are at the heart of Nfinite Nanotechnology’s efforts to revolutionize the packaging industry and eliminate plastic waste.

In 2021, ��ݮ��Ƶ Engineering professor Kevin Musselman (he/him) teamed up with his graduate students, Chee Hau Teoh (he/him) (MASc ’20) and Jhi Yong Loke (he/him) (MASc ’21), to launch Nfinite Nanotechnology.

The startup was founded on a breakthrough nanocoating technology developed by Teoh and Loke during their master’s studies. This ultrathin, high-performance material enables consumer-packaged goods, like granola bar wraps and potato chip bags, to stay fresh longer while replacing traditional metalized plastic packaging with 100% recyclable paper packaging.

Since its launch, Nfinite Nanotechnology has raised over $6.5 million USD in seed funding and worked with some of the world’s biggest brands, including household names like PepsiCo. By applying Nfinite’s coating material during packaging production, companies are empowered to embrace eco-friendly materials without sacrificing product freshness or shelf life.

As the startup continues its mission to redefine packaging, it relies on highly skilled tech student talent to fuel innovation and scale its impact. Nfinite hires nanotechnology and mechanical engineering students from ��ݮ��Ƶ to continuously improve its technology.

Nfinite Nanotech's founding team, Dr. Kevin Musselman, Chee Hau Teoh (MASc ’20) and Jhi Yong Loke (MASc ’21)

Students lead innovation in sustainable technology

The team at Nfinite entrust co-op students with impactful projects, treat students like full-time employees and give them opportunities to lead initiatives. Students work on projects like optimizing the coating processes, solving production challenges and designing critical subsystems.

Ethan Chan, Nanotechnology Engineering co-op student

During his co-op work term at Nfinite, Ethan Chan (he/him), a third-year Nanotechnology Engineering student, helped to improve coating processes for flexible materials using spatial atomic layer deposition (SALD), a specialized coating technique.

He studied how materials interact, applied a structured testing approach and improved the coating process, which significantly enhanced product quality.

Chan also collaborated with cross-functional teams at Nfinite to analyze experimental data and documented his findings in detailed technical reports.

“I had the opportunity to work with cutting-edge equipment, such as the SALD machine, which allowed me to develop optimized coating recipes and gain a deeper understanding of material science and thin-film technology,” says Chan.

Ana Matovic (she/her), a fourth-year Nanotechnology Engineering student, appreciated the opportunity to apply her classroom knowledge during her work term at Nfinite where she helped to improve the company’s sustainable barrier nanocoating. Matovic utilized her material science knowledge to help design and run experiments to improve coating adhesion, barrier properties and durability.

“My co-op experience at Nfinite Nanotechnology was amazing. While I previously had two other co-op positions before Nfinite, this was the first one where I had the opportunity to explore the impact of nanotechnology in industry,” says Matovic.

Ana Matovic, Nanotechnology Engineering co-op student

The team at Nfinite value the innovative minds of ��ݮ��Ƶ students. Students often come up with new ideas and fresh thinking that drive projects forward. During the company’s early stages, co-op students helped Nfinite to establish a chemical delivery system and supply chain that laid the groundwork for processes still in use today.

When our teams are heads down trying to figure solutions to problems, co-op students tend to think outside the box. They show up energetic and always open to learning.

Su Low, workplace experience manager at Nfinite Nanotech

A culture of innovation and mentorship

Nfinite is committed to empowering co-op students, offering the support and resources students need to grow. From their first day, students undergo a structured onboarding process that introduces them to the company’s values and operations.

Trupal Goti, engineering manager at Nfinite Nanotech

Managers clearly define goals and expectations early on and provide regular feedback and check-ins to ensure students feel valued. Students are also assigned buddies to guide them through their co-op terms.

The company’s approach provides students with meaningful opportunities to lead and make a real impact.

“We don’t treat co-op students as just co-op students. Over time, they take on projects equivalent to those of a full-time position," says Trupal Goti (he/him), engineering manager at Nfinite Nanotechnology.

"We provide them with that level of exposure and have similar expectations—they should be ready to handle projects independently.”

Nfinite has hired students for roles such as nanocoating intern, chemistry research intern and mechanical engineering intern.

“Students have had nothing but positive things to say about their co-op experience with Nfinite, praising the availability of employer support, opportunities to expand their skillset and seamless integration of classroom and workplace learning,” says Olivia Roth, the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ’s Co-operative and Experiential Education’s account manager for Nfinite.

University of ��ݮ��Ƶ and Pratt & Whitney Canada empower students to shape the future of aerospace

Jed Bick — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 13:57:23 +0000

University of ��ݮ��Ƶ and Pratt & Whitney Canada empower students to shape the future of aerospace Jed Bick Thu, 01/09/2025 - 08:57

By: Jed Bick (he/him)

��ݮ��Ƶ co-op students apply innovative skills to design efficient programs and chart a path forward for the company.

Athithiya Mohanakumar (she/her) is a second-year Systems Design Engineering student who spent two co-op work terms at Pratt & Whitney Canada. She now works for the company in a part-time role, while on her study term, as an engine simulation developer in the engine control software department. Her team is developing a closed-loop gas turbine engine simulation from scratch.

“��ݮ��Ƶ students are recognized for their strong technical skills, especially in fields like engineering, computer science and business,” says Meriem Ghoul (she/her), campus and rotational recruitment programs leader at Pratt & Whitney Canada. “They're also known for their innovative thinking and problem-solving abilities. Our hiring managers greatly value their collaborative skills and adaptability.”

During Mohanakumar’s first project as a co-op student at Pratt & Whitney Canada, she developed code for flight engine controls to integrate a testing utility into the simulation process. Tests are normally done on a test bench, or in the control room, and the machines take time to return results. The process is expensive to operate, and the team needed a quicker and more efficient option. The testing utility Mohanakumar developed saves time and costs as it allows for faster system test procedures on a standard desktop computer.

Athithiya Mohanakumar, Faculty of Engineering co-op student

Real-world challenges and hands-on learning opportunities

“��ݮ��Ƶ co-op students bring valuable practical and technical expertise and readiness to contribute meaningfully to the organization during their internships and beyond,” says Ghoul.

“It was very rewarding to see people use what I built and to have it work properly,” says Mohanakumar.

As Mohanakumar’s project evolved during her co-op work term, so did her skills and contributions. She worked on a tool to translate plain English flight command scripts to Python code. The tool allows the simulator to properly understand and run commands.

Pratt & Whitney Canada appreciates that ��ݮ��Ƶ co-op students like Mohanakumar come prepared to work on designs and develop elements that create efficiency for its complex systems.

“My manager treats me very well; he’s not afraid to give me responsibility,” says Mohanakumar. “I’m allowed to be in charge of my own work and because of that, I’ve learned a lot, and I’m motivated to do a good job.”

Pratt & Whitney Canada is committed to creating a nurturing environment for co-op students where they can develop their skills on the job through valuable work and learning experiences. Mohanakumar sharpened her coding skills during her co-op work terms by working on a variety of coding projects.

Everyone at Pratt & Whitney Canada wants you to learn. You can always ask anyone anything and they can teach you about it. Or they will point you to someone who will teach you about it.

Athithiya Mohanakumar, Faculty of Engineering co-op student

Future workforce

Beyond their co-op work term projects, Pratt & Whitney Canada helps students to prepare for future careers in the industry.

“Our partnership with Pratt & Whitney Canada continues to be exceptional,” says Jeff Chamberlain (he/him), account manager, east region at the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ. “The company fosters growth and responsibility in students by giving them opportunities to apply their knowledge and innovative skillsets to purposeful projects during co-op work terms.”

Meriem Ghoul, campus and rotational recruitment programs leader at Pratt & Whitney Canada

When students complete a successful work term at Pratt & Whitney Canada, the company looks to hire the student back for another work term or as a full-time or part-time employee.

“We have interns/co-ops on four-month work terms, and we remain flexible from a recruitment point of view,” says Ghoul. “If their term is successful and there’s a suitable fit, we often extend that internship part-time or full-time when possible.”

This is the case for Mohanakumar, as she continues to work at Pratt & Whitney Canada. By seeing students innovate and work hard during their co-op work terms, the company can test drive talent and know they’ll be a good fit for more permanent roles.

“Everyone has something to bring,” says Ghoul. “Co-op students who come in with a lot of ambition, desire and hunger have the ability to seize opportunities and be successful.”

Pratt & Whitney Canada, a global leader in aerospace and engineering, has nearly 100 years of leadership and innovation in the field. The company relies on a robust internship program to attract a skilled and innovative future workforce. Pratt & Whitney Canada hired more than 800 interns this past year, many of whom are ��ݮ��Ƶ co-op students looking to jumpstart their career.

��ݮ��Ƶ co-op students help build the future of innovative technology at ATS Corporation

Cassie Harrison — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 17:10:21 +0000

��ݮ��Ƶ co-op students help build the future of innovative technology at ATS Corporation Cassie Harrison Tue, 10/01/2024 - 13:10

By: Jed Bick (he/him)

Manufacturing automation company, ATS Corporation, gives co-op students the opportunity to impact lives by building automation solutions for its customers.

ATS Corporation (ATS) architects and builds custom automation solutions for its multinational customers across a variety of industries. From health care to consumer products, the company’s innovative manufacturing solutions have a meaningful impact around the world.

“Customers come to ATS because they have confidence in our ability to execute their programs,” said Mike Healy (he/him) (BASc ’00), vice president of technology and products at ATS. “We build first-time systems, things that have never been made or done before.”

ATS helps to solve their customers’ manufacturing needs by delivering effective and efficient automation solutions. It needs skilled and talented team members to help develop these innovative solutions. Enter ��ݮ��Ƶ co-op students.

Mike Healy, vice president of technology and products at ATS

View "ATS Corporation - Impact in Innovation - 2023 Employer Impact Awards" on YouTube

The next generation of talent brings the next generation of technology solutions

ATS treats ��ݮ��Ƶ co-op students like full-time employees and values the essential role they play in multiple projects. ��ݮ��Ƶ co-op students have advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills that set them apart. The team at ATS especially appreciates how much co-op students from ��ݮ��Ƶ are willing to innovate on the job.

Luisa Gonzalez, fourth-year Mechanical Engineering student

“At the end of the day, we need bold disruptors at ATS,” said Healy. “Critical thinking and a multidisciplinary approach to solving problems is going to get us the next generation of technology and solutions for our customers.”

The company trusts students to apply their skills effectively and gives them the time and space to take on a project and run with it.

Luisa Gonzalez (she/her), a fourth-year Mechanical Engineering student, spent one of her co-op work terms with ATS working on a project to optimize the speed of an assembly line for electric battery vehicles.

“What I really liked about ATS was at first I was able to learn all their procedures," said Gonzalez. “Then, I was put right into the project. I felt like the things I was working on were contributing to what the customer needed. It wasn't just side work. I was actually seeing these designs coming to life.”

Alex Lee (she/her), a second-year Biomedical Engineering student at ��ݮ��Ƶ, had such a positive co-op work term experience at ATS as a project coordinator that she came back for a second work term.

During her second work term, Lee further developed her technical skills as an automation designer.

She appreciated the opportunity to work on medical device packaging systems, which aligned perfectly with her Biomedical Engineering degree. The project managers were impressed with how Lee’s work helped to improve the project prototypes.

“I was encouraged to spread my wings at ATS," said Lee. "I was able to learn more about the automation process and able to contribute to more. They also provided the environment in which I felt comfortable to do so.”

Alex Lee, second-year Biomedical Engineering student

��ݮ��Ƶ co-op students are ready and equipped to innovate

In Healy’s experience, recruiting new employees for ATS can be a time-consuming process. The ability to hire co-op students, who can learn and evolve on the job, makes the process of securing qualified employees easier and faster.

“Co-op students who have previously been at ATS come in and operate like they’ve been here for a year or two,” said Healy. “That is massively important for us as a business because it can take quite a while to ramp up a new employee and get them to a level where they can really start engaging and leading problem-solving efforts. With co-op students, they’re hitting the ground running.”

As ATS operates in a fast-paced and competitive industry, the company values how ��ݮ��Ƶ co-op students are prepared to work from day one on the job.

“The way ��ݮ��Ƶ designs their programs so that students work on different projects prepares students very well for the workplace,” said Healy.

The company recognizes that having future-ready talent is key in their industry as employees from Generation Z become more prominent in the workplace.

“Bringing energy and new ideas helps customers gain confidence that we're an innovative and exploratory company,” said Healy.

“I think that's where co-op students bring value. In some cases, they're actively engaging customers themselves and impacting their perception of who ATS is. That's how much faith we put into our co-op students.”

ATS is the recipient of the 2023 Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE) Employer Impact Awards for Impact in Innovation.

The company received the award for extending its commitment to fostering innovation to co-op students.

By entrusting students to implement their knowledge and skills, ATS is allowing them to contribute innovative solutions toward meaningful outcomes. As an employer, ATS provides students the opportunity to impact the business, and the world, in bold ways.

Norah McRae, associate provost of CEE

Empowering technological innovation through people

As ATS shapes technology that has a meaningful impact, the company values ��ݮ��Ƶ co-op students for the skills, education and experience they have to help solve important challenges.

“At the end of the day, people innovate, not companies,” said Healy. “And I think the same thing is, people innovate, not technology. So, we need the people to drive the technology and the right application of that technology.”

To get an award like this tells me we're doing the right things. It tells me students are engaged. It tells me students are going back to the university and talking about ATS.

Mike Healy, vice president of technology and products at ATS

How co-op students are contributing to engineering excellence at Neutron Controls

Cassie Harrison — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 15:21:27 +0000

How co-op students are contributing to engineering excellence at Neutron Controls Cassie Harrison Tue, 09/10/2024 - 11:21

By: Christie Zeb (she/her)

From designing electronic units to meeting tight deadlines, co-op students drive innovation and enhance operations at the engineering design services company.

Neutron Controls' first experience with ��ݮ��Ƶ students began with one co-op hire in the summer of 2023. The impact of the co-op student, Noor Bansal (she/her), a mechanical engineering student, was felt almost immediately. She quickly became an integral team member and contributed to projects that served actual customers.

Bansal’s energy and fresh perspective benefited the projects and infused the workplace with a sense of growth, inclusion and development.

It started as one ��ݮ��Ƶ student, and she made a great impact. We could only imagine what it would be like to have five more young bright minds. So, we opened five positions and had over 750 applications.

Josh Campbell (he/him), project manager at Neutron Controls

Josh Campbell, project manager at Neutron Controls

Neutron Controls develops advanced battery management systems and electronic control units in the automotive sector. The company hires co-op students from mechanical engineering, software engineering, mechatronics engineering and electrical engineering to support its multiple large-scale projects.

Students have made valuable contributions in delivering innovative and high-quality software solutions to Neutron Controls' clients. "Students enter their co-op work terms with new ways of approaching problem-solving and cutting-edge knowledge. They bring diverse experiences, curiosity and an eagerness to prove themselves. We've seen that in all our co-op students and that's been fantastic," says Campbell.

Students influence client projects and enhance company efficiency

Recently, the team faced tight deadlines on a project involving the design of custom electronic units for testing battery packs and modules. As a small company managing complex projects, Neutron Controls handles everything internally—from development to documentation, packaging and shipping. Despite this work demand, with the support of co-op students, the team delivered all units to clients on schedule and with time to spare.

Having our co-op students on that project gave us the extra capacity we needed to stay ahead of the deadline and deliver the units on time,” says Campbell.

Marcos Mori-Chinen, Mechanical Engineering student

Marcos Mori-Chinen (he/him), a third-year Mechanical Engineering student, worked as an automotive engineer at Neutron Controls.

During his co-op term, Mori-Chinen used CAD software to design 3D models, that were 3D printed for immediate use, and to generate technical drawings for manufacturing. He also learned about different automotive industry standards and regulations.

Mori-Chinen’s most notable experience at Neutron Controls includes learning about topics unrelated to his field of study.

“I have been learning about embedded firmware programming and hardware testing, which I knew little about before my co-op placement. While embedded systems are more relevant to a computer or electrical engineer, developing knowledge outside your field of study is important. It helps you discover what you’re passionate about,” says Mori-Chinen.

Mori-Chinen also worked on a project for a global automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM). He helped with mechanical development, including technical drawings and optimizing the board's design.

"My co-op placement at Neutron Controls has allowed me to grow into a professional individual. It's an invaluable experience for any student who intends to start working after graduating,” says Mori-Chinen.

Students contributed significantly to developing a new product that communicates with battery modules in electric vehicles. When a large client order came with a tight deadline, co-op students were ready to take on the challenge.

"Our ��ݮ��Ƶ co-op students contributed to everything, from software and hardware integration to testing and packaging. Without their support, hitting our tight deadlines would have been very difficult,” says Campbell.

How Neutron Controls supports students

Neutron Controls prioritizes hands-on experiences for students. During their work term, students take ownership of their tasks and see them through to completion. Campbell emphasizes the importance of being prepared for a valuable and fulfilling work term for students and their employers.

“We spent four months preparing for our students including arranging workstations, mentorship structure and top-of-the-line personal equipment for every student,” says Campbell.

“We also established a flexible management structure to allow students to think outside the box. When students walk away from this kind of experience, they can hold their heads up high knowing they've influenced some real projects with real clients.”

The energy of co-op students and their roles in client-facing and internal development projects has enhanced the company’s efficiency and further strengthened its commitment to engineering excellence. The company’s experience with these students has also given the leadership team a glimpse into the future of work.

Neutron Controls looks to hire more co-op students, leveraging their fresh perspectives to drive growth and enhance client success.

Co-op student supports Nominal Controls’ research and development technology for space application

Cassie Harrison — Thu, 18 May 2023 12:45:00 +0000

Co-op student supports Nominal Controls’ research and development technology for space application Cassie Harrison Thu, 05/18/2023 - 08:45

By: Krista Henry (she/her)

Canadian manufacturer Nominal Controls is tapping into student talent to help transform semiconductor-based technologies.

The organization hired their first co-op student to support projects for industry leaders such as Tesla, among others.

Founded in 2016, Nominal Controls focuses on solid-state control technology used for the industrial machinery, renewable energy and scientific research industries. Recently, the organization began research and development of technology viable for aerospace/space.

As the organization ramps up their business and product offerings, having additional support through a co-op student has been a rewarding experience.

Matthew Bridger
��ݮ��Ƶ co-op student

Nominal Controls hired their first co-op student, Matthew Bridger, in the role of research and development test engineer assistant for the winter 2023 term. Bridger is a Mechatronics Engineering student in his first work term and exceeded the organization’s expectations for the co-op student role.

“The latest system developed for a private space company pushed our technology to the limit,” says Peter Zhang (he/him), founder of Nominal Controls.

“Our team has produced cutting-edge solutions for the space industry that are being used for ground tests. It’s very exciting for us because we’re contributing to their goals of space exploration and sending humans outside of Earth.”

��ݮ��Ƶ students have the experience with fine equipment they have in school, as well as the scientific inquiry skills we need.
Matt has been great. Even though it’s his first work term, he’s a very competent, three-dimensional (3D) artist and a very excellent machinist.

PETER ZHANG, FOUNDER OF NOMINAL CONTROLS

First work term student impresses with work ethic

Bridger has played an important role in developing models, manufacturing hardware, programming, as well as testing electronics for multiple projects. For Nominal Controls, having a student on board was beneficial for their small team of four.

“We were working on a very tight schedule and had to follow a very agile development approach. Matt had to work with last minute specification changes and design modifications for our lead engineer,” says Zhang.

“He made the quick hardware modifications so we could deliver on time. He’s a fast learner and eager to work. I hope his experience with us has helped his existing understanding of both solid-state controls, hardware and software integrations even further.”

When Bridger applied to Nominal Controls, he didn’t realize he would be building custom designs for the likes of top companies.

“We built customized assemblies for big names like Tesla which was stressful but rewarding,” says Bridger.
“We worked on the data, getting everything set up, and testing. I didn’t know a lot about any of that coming into this role. I thought I’d be doing more paperwork and less hands-on work. Instead, I’ve learned a lot.”

Following his experience, Bridger wants to explore additional opportunities with semiconductors. He encourages other students to take a chance and work with smaller organizations for the opportunity to gain more hands-on experience in the field.

Nominal Controls expects to ramp up with more projects in the future. After a positive experience with their first co-op student, the organization is looking to continue hiring students to support their growth.

Interested in hiring top tech and engineering talent?

Co-op students pursue their passion for engineering at Atlantic Industries Limited

Amanda Vos — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 12:45:00 +0000

Co-op students pursue their passion for engineering at Atlantic Industries Limited Amanda Vos Thu, 04/27/2023 - 08:45

By: Krista Henry (she/her)

Connecting students’ passions to meaningful work opportunities furthers innovation at manufacturing company Atlantic Industries Limited (AIL).

A privately-owned bridge and infrastructure company, AIL operates across Canada providing a network of engineering offices and manufacturing plants.

Kevin Williams (MEnv ’14)
Engineering manager at AIL

Co-op students have played a vital role in the company’s success for more than 15 years.

“Co-op has been such a good fit for us, bringing in additional resources and furthering our network in the engineering community,” says Kevin Williams (he/him), engineering manager at AIL.

A former co-op student himself, Williams (MEnv ’14) now has the pleasure of mentoring the next generation of talent.

“Students are involved in everything from executing laboratory testing and data analysis, to writing research reports that advance standards,” says Williams. “For instance, they develop change proposals for the Canadian highway bridge design code which gets national exposure.”

Students at AIL work in roles such as designer co-op, research
co-op, engineering co-op and project co-ordinator assistant.

Contributing to success

According to Tara Ross (she/her), director of Human Resources at AIL, the organization has bought fully into the benefits of co-operative education. “We see helping co-op students fulfill their educational requirements as an opportunity for us to help shape the future leaders in the industry,” says Ross.

There's so much passion and so much talent that are within the
co-op programs and an employer shouldn’t turn a blind eye. Co-op students have brought incredible value to our organization.

TARA ROSS, DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURES AT AIL

Williams believes one of the benefits of working at AIL is that team members can follow their passion no matter their position at the organization. “It’s an innovative business, receptive to new ideas and it’s a good connection between research development and business,” says Williams.

When it comes to recruiting and hiring students, AIL encourages opportunities for students that are in their very first work term. The company has a strong student retention rate, with many students returning for multiple work terms.

“When I see students within our team, they're able to walk away from that experience feeling enabled and empowered in their abilities. That's really rewarding,” says Ross.

“When our co-op finishes with us, it doesn't mean it's a goodbye forever, it means we would still love to be connected. And we hope and wish you success wherever you go, even if it's not coming back to us, but we hope they do.”

Tara Ross
Director of HR at AIL

Curiosity is key

While co-op students bring many skills to the table, curiosity is an important aspect to AIL. It is something they look forward to when a co-op student enters the organization.

“As an innovative organization we want to see students who want to learn something new. They bring additional perspectives that help strengthen our organization,” says Ross.

Students lead projects from start to finish and are expected to set clear goals on each project. Williams finds that students inject a lot of energy into their work and the team members enjoy mentoring them.

“Students really jump in where they can,” says Williams. “Even though they may not have had academic exposure to aspects of higher end design and analysis, they are still able to contribute and bring a big cultural impact.”

Ross encourages any employer, regardless of the industry, to invest in co-op students for their talent strategy.

Hiring co-op students helps Conestoga Meats avoid future talent gaps

Cassie Harrison — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 21:32:39 +0000

Hiring co-op students helps Conestoga Meats avoid future talent gaps Cassie Harrison Wed, 11/30/2022 - 16:32

By: Krista Henry (she/her)

When Conestoga Meats looked to the future of the Canadian pork industry, the company saw a talent gap on the horizon. To assist, they tripled the number of co-op students they hired across all departments.

In Ontario’s food and beverage industry, an estimated 25,000 positions will go unfilled by 2025, according to a report from Food and Beverage Ontario. As a leading production facility in the pork industry, Conestoga Meats aims to get ahead of the talent problem.

Rebecca Tosswill (she/her)
Talent and organizational development manager at Conestoga Meats

“We typically hire about three to four co-op students each year on a rotating basis,” says Rebecca Tosswill (she/her), talent and organizational development manager at Conestoga Meats and ��ݮ��Ƶ graduate.

“However, during the market changes caused by the global pandemic, everyone really started to recognize the value of co-op talent. We’ve ramped up our hiring since.”

Today, the organization hires 12 co-op students each term. Students work in roles such as HR assistant, sales and marketing co-op, quality assurance and HACCP assistant, and project engineering assistant.

The organization hires students from diverse programs including Biochemistry, Sociology, Engineering, Legal Studies, and Mathematics and Business.

“We look to different programs for not only technical skills, but for what are the latest trends and practices in all these fields that are relevant to our business,” says Tosswill (BA ’15).

Room for career growth for students

As a farmer owned co-operative company with pork supplied by family-owned farms in and around Breslau, Conestoga Meats is rapidly expanding.

“In the last decade we have tripled in size and initiated several expansion projects to increase the capacity of our production areas. We continue to plan for increased growth in the coming years,” says Tosswill. “We’re an essential service and sustainable company with lots of room to grow. There are so many career opportunities that students can fill.”

By targeting students through the organization’s co-op program, Conestoga Meats is building their brand reputation with the next generation of talent.

There can be some misconceptions about meat plants. We want to get students to see what we do, talk about us and what we do. The benefit of having so many students with us (in) a term is that they build a community with each other and us. Overall, it’s a very positive experience for everyone involved.

REBECCA TOSSWILL, TALENT AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, CONESTOGA MEATS

To attract students, the company revamped their job descriptions to focus on the projects students would contribute to. Conestoga Meats emphasizes the job shadowing and mentorship that students receive while working with them.

On Tosswill’s team, her co-op student is involved in all aspects of the recruitment process hiring for a biweekly orientation, working on social media content and HR system improvements.

In the sales and finance departments, co-op students assist with writing proposals to increase the volume of products being sold to well-known local grocers. In marketing and communications, students share ideas about how to increase the engagement and reach of Conestoga Meats’ social media platforms.

Following a positive first work term experience, some co-op students have returned for multiple terms at Conestoga Meats. A few co-op students have transitioned into full-times roles at the company after graduating.

Interested in getting ahead of the manufacturing talent gap?

Consider hiring a co-op student! Check out manufacturing roles where co-op students can make an impact.

Inclusion matters at photonics company Lumentum

Catherine Chen — Wed, 28 Sep 2022 17:46:00 +0000

Inclusion matters at photonics company Lumentum Catherine Chen Wed, 09/28/2022 - 13:46

By: Namish Modi (he/him)

When it comes to diversity, inclusion and belonging (DIB) in the workplace, Lumentum is learning, listening and evolving to better serve their team.

The company, with headquarters in Ottawa, manufactures innovative optical and photonic products that are part of telecom, enterprise and data center networks.

View "Lumentum - 2021 Employer Impact Awards Impact in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Recipient" on YouTube

“Our fundamental initiative for diversity, inclusion and belonging is centered around getting a diversity of ideas and diversity of perspectives and understanding,” says David Markin (he/him) (BSc ’99), manager of algorithms and analytics at Lumentum.

“Lumentum is the inaugural winner of the Impact in EDI award, which was introduced for the first time this year in the Impact Awards. The company’s initiatives and passion in this area has made them a strong contender,” says Colleen Phillips-Davis (she/her), Associate Director of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism (EDI-R) at CEE.

“This category is close to my heart being an advocate in this space and Lumentum has really shone in this area,” says Phillips-Davis.

Lumentum Impact in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) 2021 CEE Employer Impact Awards

The company is not only innovative when it comes to the products they develop, they also take an innovative approach to initiatives that support diversity, inclusion and belonging.

They are committed to supporting students and their team for the betterment of their organization and future. This generation of co-op students will be the most diverse to ever enter the workplace, and inclusive initiatives and corporate social responsibility are important to them. Employers need to place significant effort in this space to attract and retain them. We congratulate Lumentum in their efforts to make change.

Colleen Phillips-Davis (she/her), associate director of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism (EDI-R) at CEE

According to Markin, different perspectives at the table result in better solutions.

At Lumentum, the perspective of co-op students is integral in shaping initiatives around diversity, inclusion and belonging.

Initiatives include regular gender equity pay reviews, gender neutral job postings, cultural communications emails, and unconscious bias training for hiring managers and employees. When it comes to recruiting co-op students, Lumentum minimizes the number of job requirements to include only the core necessities, which encourages a more diverse student application pool. New student scholarships were also introduced.

Sarah Bahnam (she/her), a third-year Nanotechnology Engineering student spent an eight-month co-op term at Lumentum and felt a keen sense of belonging to the organization.

“The initiatives at Lumentum really help me work, knowing that there are people around me that are trying to create a better more diverse area,” says Bahnam. “I am from Iraq, and I rarely see Middle Eastern people working in high-end engineering positions. Something with Lumentum is that they try to bring in people from diverse backgrounds. They also lead people to tell their stories. We always feel more connected.”

Creating connections

Helping team members feel connected is a driving force of Lumentum’s strategy. The organization celebrates several days of cultural significance throughout the year and has five employee resource groups (ERGs) to help build a sense of community. These ERGs foster a sense of belonging, drive innovation and inspire conversation. The current ERGs are Asians at Lumentum, Women at Lumentum, Lumentum at Black Employee Network, Next Gen Luminaries, and Latinx at Lumentum.

“Our company had a great growth phase in the early 2000s, and a few of us are getting older, myself included,” Markin explains. “I look at myself in the mirror and I am a white middle-aged male, so what do I know about diversity? I did not know much when I took this role on, but I have learned a lot and I know how important it is. It is just embracing that and our co-ops really help to shape it. It is their feedback that helped guide some of our initiatives across the company.”

“Lumentum helped me prepare for the future by giving me the opportunity to work on a multitude of tasks, which helped challenge me and helped me reach my full potential,” Bahnam says. “I really felt like I was trusted and I was becoming an engineer-in-training. My favourite thing about working at Lumentum was the people there. They were all very inclusive, and they all enjoyed having the co-ops around. They were all willing to answer our questions and mentor us.”

Giving students a helping hand

In fall 2021, Lumentum announced its DIB scholarship to help co-op students from underrepresented backgrounds. The $5,000 scholarships are given at the end of each summer to 10 outstanding Lumentum co-op students.

“The scholarships are targeted for co-op students and interns,” Markin explains. “We realize that university is expensive, and a lot of students are making ends meet as they go through university, and it can almost be even more challenging for those who are underrepresented minorities because they face biases or pressures and maybe don’t get the opportunities that others get, because of biases or challenges that exist in our environment.”

Students from underrepresented backgrounds include Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, people with disabilities and LGBTQ2S+ individuals.

At Lumentum, we understand this is a journey. We are just starting out. We have goals and we strive for them, but we know that taking small steps at a time is the key and we are on a journey to get there.

David Markin (he/him) (BSc ’99), manager of algorithms and analytics at Lumentum

To learn more about Lumentum’s initiatives check out this feature story: Supporting LGBTQ2S+ employees is a priority for Lumentum.

Co-op students help drive innovation at multinational automotive solutions organization

Catherine Chen — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 15:27:04 +0000

Co-op students help drive innovation at multinational automotive solutions organization Catherine Chen Mon, 09/26/2022 - 11:27

By: Namish Modi (he/him)

Two weeks was all it took for students to complete several tasks for the CEO of Martinrea International (Martinrea) a multinational automotive solutions organization.

Stuart Fraser (he/him), vice-president of operations at Martinrea, says University of ��ݮ��Ƶ co-op students solved several difficult manufacturing applications in a span of two weeks, thus saving money for the organization.

The students wrote complex vision processing algorithms and a robust scalable HMI interface and completed all the required testing for the applications. The speed and quality of work demonstrated their value and capabilities.

“We didn’t know the answer and we didn’t guide them. I said ‘let's see what happens’. Two weeks later, they presented to the chairman and our entire CEO staff,” says Fraser.

“I was blown away.”

Operating in 57 sites across 10 countries with more than 15,000 team members, Martinrea develops and produces lightweight structures for the automotive industry.

Encouraged to “disrupt”

Being a new employer of ��ݮ��Ƶ students, Martinrea has hit the ground running, providing unique and outstanding opportunities to students. Martinrea encourages students to “disrupt” and “innovate” during their work terms.

Co-op students are working on a major project, the development of an autonomous intelligent vehicle (AIV).

Developments and discoveries from the projects have advanced a myriad of other applications in other departments’ technologies.

Martinrea provides students opportunities to lead teams and highlights their outstanding initiative in the process. Students, specifically those who return for multiple co-op terms, take on project management roles at Martinrea and play a role in recruiting new students for the organization.

Students are part of the interviewing process, which helps the organization learn what incoming and prospective students are looking for in co-op terms.

“It gives us a more direct link to what students are looking for,” says Fraser.

Along with helping recruit the next group of students, co-ops get an opportunity to be project managers during their work terms. What they bring in technological agility and innovative thinking bridges a gap for Martinrea.

“They are naturally more comfortable with technology, challenging innovation and so forth. By allowing them to be project managers, they give us the opportunity to gain experience,” Fraser says.

Martinrea Innovation Development, a newly formed group in the organization, ensures and promotes team members, including co-op students, are enabled to disrupt, innovate, and question why the company does things in a particular way.

“We’ve been working on automotive processes and refinement for 100 years,” says Fraser. “There comes a point where something new is better.”

To further promote innovation and creative thinking, Jeffrey J. Liaw, Martinrea’s general manager, regularly holds seminars with co-op students to talk about innovative problem solving and about Martinrea’s own manufacturing experiences.

Martinrea International Impact in Innovation 2021 CEE Employer Impact Awards

Martinrea has the ability to provide memorable and important opportunities for co-op students.

View "Martinrea International - 2021 Employer Impact Awards Impact in Innovation Recipient" on YouTube

Martinrea provides opportunities for students to gain confidence and think creatively, which enables them to grow as problem solvers. By giving them these tools and placing them in leadership positions, Martinrea is helping them to develop, innovate, and be further prepared for the future.

Norah McRae (she/her), associate provost of CEE

What do the students bring?

Hussein Hassanalli (he/him), a third-year Mechanical Engineering student in his third work term with Martinrea, leads technical projects and helps build ideas from scratch and implement them on production machines. He also presents to executives of customer companies.

“I had the chance to get very deeply involved in important and meaningful work,” says Hassanali.

Paige Kobzar (she/her), a Systems Design Engineering student at Martinrea, is in her third co-op term. In Kobzar’s experience, Martinrea gives students ample opportunities to gain experience, be creative, and come up with ways to make the organization a better place.

“When looking for a co-op, I always look for opportunities to work on interesting projects, and places where I can make an impact,” says Kobzar. “Here, students are encouraged to be creative and come up with ways to make Martinrea a better place, and because of this, they’re able to enact real change.”

As part of her work term, Kobzar is working as a UI/UX designer on a project to make a fully autonomous vehicle capable of delivering parts around the facility. She is creating an app to help integrate the vehicle with the rest of the factory so employees can interact with it.

Kobzar has developed skills in problem-solving through determining design solutions, user research, talking with people on the plant floor, and creating user journeys and design.

“I’ve gotten to learn so much more about the industry than I would have anywhere else,” says Kobzar.

David Petkovsek (he/him), who completed all six of his work terms at Martinrea, is primarily working on the AIV project and leads a group of eight people.

“I found at Martinrea, there’s a certain entrepreneurial spirit,” says Petkovsek. “When you go to develop some of these technologies, it is like you are starting your own mini business. As a leader, I have learned how to advocate for our team, how to support people when they are going through a rough time, and how to communicate and get what everyone needs and have everyone work together in a nice environment.”

Through the lessons and skills I have learned, I am convinced that Martinrea has given me an unfair advantage to drive, grow and never stop learning.

David Petkovsek (he/him), AIV project member and group leader

ATS encourages a growth mindset for co-op students to reach their full potential

Catherine Chen — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 20:41:12 +0000

ATS encourages a growth mindset for co-op students to reach their full potential Catherine Chen Tue, 09/13/2022 - 16:41

By: Krista Henry (she/her)

When it comes to engaging emerging talent, like co-op students, Automation Tooling Systems (ATS) creates an environment for students to learn, innovate and grow their skills.

A global leader in automated products and services, ATS gives co-op students the freedom to work on cutting-edge projects. Students learn new skills while making an impact at ATS working in roles such as environmental, health and safety co-op, software developer, mechanical automation designer, engineering coordinator, HR co-op, videography student, visual communications and service solutions specialist.

D’Arcy Oldfield (he/him)
Control specialist at ATS

“We have students doing programmable logic controller (PLC) programming, HMI development and much more,” says D’Arcy Oldfield (he/him), control specialist at ATS. “We usually have a bunch of different programs and projects. I try to find out what the student is strong in and tailor a project for them which benefits us both.”

The organization believes in giving students freedom to innovate which helps to build their confidence in the world of work. According to Oldfield, giving students the tools to succeed can yield surprising results.

“One of the co-op students that I had working with me didn't have a lot of PLC experience. He just gravitated to it and picked it up so quickly. I told him what I wanted and when I checked back in, he had something put together which was impressive. When he first started, he wasn’t familiar with any of the systems,” he says.

Building a talent pipeline

For ATS, one of the many benefits of having a robust co-op program is the opportunity to attract the talent they will need for the future of their work in all areas of the business.

��ݮ��Ƶ gives us the opportunity to preview a potential employee which is a great benefit. Students get to learn about our environment and compare us with other companies to know what they are most passionate about. ��ݮ��Ƶ is very consistent and easy to work with.

D'arcy Oldfield (he/him), control specialist at ats

Anna Guan (she/her) is a former co-op student that has transitioned to a full-time role at ATS. Three years ago, Guan did a co-op term at ATS as a mechanical designer. Today, Guan (BE’21) is a product specialist in ATS’ innovation center. Recently, the company has put a deliberate focus on innovation to get ahead of evolving technologies in the marketplace. This helps the organization to provide solutions for the challenges their customers are facing.

“When I was a co-op student at ATS, the project I was doing was very close to my studies. I liked using the formulas and equations that I learned in school,” she says. “It was really challenging and fun. At ATS there are lots of cool projects for future generations and I liked the team, so it was an easy decision to return.”

Throughout her co-op experience, Guan worked with several industries like steelmaking and other forms of manufacturing.

Anna Guan (she/her)
Product specialist at ATS

Through her experiences, she quickly realized her strengths, weaknesses and what she enjoyed working on. “At ATS’s innovation center I get a lot of experience as a mechanical engineer,” says Guan. “I want to expand my skills set in this area, which I can do at ATS. It’s a good decision for me to come back and work with these colleagues again so I can continue learning.”