AWE Policies and Procedures During COVID-19 - Employers
We want to thank our employer partners for their continued support and flexibility during this unprecedented time. AWE Winter 2020 work terms ended with positions transitioning to work from home or with workplace accommodation to allow students to end the term safely and successfully - thank you for that!
In order to keep Arts Work Experience running as smoothly and responsively as possible during COVID-19, our goal is to be flexible and follow best practices laid out by our accreditor Co-operative Education and Work Integrated Canada (CEWIL Canada) during this time. These recommendations place student and employer health and safety as the top priority, while allowing co-op terms to continue and minimize negative impacts to students.
CEWIL Canada states that, “CEWIL is committed to bringing together the co-operative education and work-integrated learning community during this uncertain and unprecedented time. We have seen our membership and partners join together to work through unpredictable challenges and we are proud to provide leadership and guidance as much as possible during this time. We will continue to offer updates to our community and partners and offer ways to collaborate and share information and best practices.”
The following adjustments and accommodations that may be considered for both students and employers include any/all of the following:
- Work terms are developed in partnership with the employer and approved by the co-operative education program as suitable learning environments
- Students are engaged in productive work for which they receive remuneration
- Ending the current work term early or starting the upcoming work term late (i.e., it is okay to reduce the number of hours below 420 hours and/or the number of work weeks to fewer than 12; adjustments to be assessed/approved on a case-by-case basis by your Co-op Program)
- Work term experiences are assessed via work term consults with both students and employers (conducted remotely as necessary)
- Completing work term report requirements, as required by your Co-op Program, must still be met including employer evaluations
- Revising co-op student job duties to accommodate remote work. Some possibilities include: Developing research projects related to the impact of COVID-19 on the organization and/or the community it serves, assisting organization’s operational transition to online formats and supporting businesses with the movement of staff to remote locations
- Delaying the start of the upcoming work term (e.g.,September - December) (i.e., will result in a reduction in the number of hours/weeks)
AWE Employer Partner Recommendations
May 2020 Work Term (May - August)
- All students must feel that the employment model (work from home or workplace modifications) respects their health and safety.
- May work term starts may be delayed as late as June 30, 2020 to count as a spring/summer work term. Work terms that start July 1, 2020* or later will count as fall work terms. *Exceptions may be possible where work terms beginning after July 1st would offer over 280 hours of employment.
- Students must complete a minimum of 280 hours (8-16 weeks) to earn CR for work terms completed in spring or fall terms. This may mean that part-time options could count as work experience during COVID-19.
- Students are permitted to count work from home positions as AWE work terms, assuming their Work Experience Coordinator is confident that the opportunity is appropriately supervised (regular check-ins with supervisors strongly recommended) and that tasks are at a professional level consistent with co-op positions.
- Student performance in the workplace is supervised and evaluated by the student's employer
- Students and employers must participate in self and employer mid-term and final evaluations, and a remote site visit (phone or videoconference) during the work term.
Fall 2020 & Winter 2021 Work Terms
Fall 2020 (September to December) & Winter 2021 (January to April) Work Terms
- All students must feel that the employment model (work from home or workplace modifications) respects their health and safety.
- Students must complete a minimum of 280 hours (8-16 weeks) to earn CR for work terms completed in spring or fall terms. This may mean that part-time options could count as work experience during COVID-19.
- Students are permitted to count work from home positions as AWE work terms, assuming their Work Experience Coordinator is confident that the opportunity is appropriately supervised (regular check-ins with supervisors strongly recommended) and that tasks are at a professional level consistent with co-op positions.
- Student performance in the workplace is supervised and evaluated by the student's employer
- Students and employers must participate in self and employer mid-term and final evaluations, and a remote site visit (phone or videoconference) during the work term.
- If students receive notification that their Fall 2020 or Winter 2021 work terms will not continue, they should notify their Work Experience Coordinator
Additional Resources:
- Tips for Onboarding Students Remotely (employers)
- Tips for Supervising Students Remotely (employers)
- Tips for Working from Home (students)
Contact Us
Amber Nicholson
Career Development Officer
780-492-6022
amber.nicholson@ualberta.ca
Laura Kerslake
Work Experience Coordinator
780-492-1781
laura.kerslake@ualberta.ca