Finding good people can be a challenge. College of the North Atlantic (CNA) makes it easier for employers to hire skilled, motivated students to gain extra help and new ideas.
Through CNA’s Work Integrated Learning (WIL) program, employers can hire students who are ready to contribute from day one. Students bring current training, strong work ethic, and a willingness to learn, making them a valuable addition to teams throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
Lauren St. Croix, Director of Work Integrated Learning Connections, works closely with employers to match them with students whose skills meet real workplace needs.
“Our students are well-prepared and eager to prove themselves,” said St. Croix. “Employers often tell us they are impressed by how quickly students step in and start adding value.”
Hiring a co-op student is practical and cost-effective, with benefits that go beyond filling a temporary role:
- Current skills and fresh thinking: Students bring up-to-date training and new perspectives that can help move projects forward and support day-to-day operations.
- Lower hiring costs: Co-op students are an affordable way to add capacity, and many employers qualify for wage subsidies through provincial and federal programs.
- A chance to assess future employees: Work terms give employers time to train, mentor and evaluate potential long-term hires in a real work setting. Many students return to their co-op employers after graduation.
- Support throughout the placement: CNA’s WIL team helps with job postings, student selection and funding information. Dedicated co-op coordinators stay involved to support both the employer and the student.
“Work terms give employers flexibility while helping them plan ahead,” said St. Croix. “They also allow organizations to get work done while developing future employees.”
CNA co-op students are available year-round from a wide range of programs, including engineering technologies, software development, agriculture, health and safety and geomatics.
Upcoming availability includes:
Spring / Summer
- Architectural Engineering Technology *starting Spring 2026
- Chemical Process Engineering Technology
- Civil Engineering Technology
- Computing Systems Engineering Technology
- Electronic Systems Engineering Technology
- Environmental Engineering Technology
- Geomatics / Surveying Engineering Technology
- Industrial Engineering Technology
- Mechanical (Manufacturing) Engineering Technology
- Electrical Engineering Technology (Power and Controls)
- Agriculture Technician *June – August
- Health and Safety Management *asynchronous program
- Software Development
- Welding Engineering Technician
Fall / Winter
- Software Development
- Electrical Engineering Technology
- Geomatics / Surveying Engineering Technology
- Management Systems Engineering Technology
- Mechanical (Manufacturing) Engineering Technology
- Computing Systems Engineering Technology
“We encourage employers to contact us as soon as they decide they could use some extra help,” said St. Croix. “Hiring a co-op student is a straightforward way to get work done, support young professionals and build future talent. Many employers come back to us again and again because it works.”
For more information, or to hire a student, employers are encouraged to contact CNA’s Work Integrated Learning team. To get started, contact Lauren St. Croix at 709-758-7093 or email coop@cna.nl.ca.
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Media Contact
Ryan Crocker
Manager of Communications
P: (709) 699-8981
E:
ryan.crocker@cna.nl.ca