Information for employers
We want to invite interested employers to participate in the prestigious CO-OP internship programme for the Nicolaus Copernicus University students in Toruń.
The CO-OP project is a new formula for cooperation between science and business, which will enable the best students to gain professional experience during their studies. We are inspired by similar solutions applied successfully at the University of Waterloo in Canada.
The CO-OP programme run at the NCU is based on the following principles:
1. Preparation of the internship offer and programme
The employer prepares the offer and the programme of the internship. The work may take different forms – the student can be involved in the processes or projects implemented in the organisation, or it may take the form of an individual project the employer assigns to the student. Only students who match the company’s needs profile are presented to the employer, who makes the final selection of the candidate.
2. Recruitment of Students
As part of the CO-OP programme, the student applies for a job and undergoes a recruitment process carried out by the NCU Careers Service in cooperation with the dean responsible for education.
The following information about the applicant is verified in the recruitment process:
- candidate’s previous work experience
- additional scientific and organisational activity during studies
- grade point average (min. 4.0) for the last semester preceding the submission of the application
- justification for applying for the internship, including benefits for the student’s studies
- faculty recommendation (persons from the faculty, e.g. supervisor, research group tutor, year tutor, lecturer, etc.)
- assessment of the student’s level of motivation for the job
- social competences test
- evaluation of the impact of the internship on the student’s professional development
The employer receives a report on the level of key social competencies, interviews recommended students and decides whether to accept the candidate for an internship.
3. Duration of traineeship and remuneration
The programme is based on a paid internship (minimum part-time), the duration of which is determined by the employer with the student (min. 2 months, max. 5 months). The internship can be done during summer holidays or the academic year provided the student has the Individual Organisation of Studies (IOS).
4. Providing students with time for professional work
The employer pays the student a monthly salary based on the agreed form of employment except for the salary for the first month in which it is paid by the University. The pay is a minimum of PLN 3,000 gross, including employer’s surcharges for full-time employment (in other cases, the salary will be paid proportionally).
The student is responsible for covering their insurance against accidents at work. The University covers the costs of necessary medical examinations.
After the internship has been completed, further cooperation with the student may be established under agreed conditions, but this is not required.
Once the funds allocated for internship scholarships paid by the University have been exhausted, the CO-OP programme may continue as long as the employer fully covers the cost of internship scholarships.
The student may spend time on professional work after obtaining the dean’s approval for the Individual Course of Study. While gaining work experience, the student also obtains learning outcomes prescribed for in the study programme. During this time, the employer can recognise the employee’s competencies, determine their usefulness in the company, and decide on further employment.
5. Programme promotion and recruitment
The University ensures the promotion of the programme and recruitment of students. The NCU Careers Service disseminates internship offers among academic community members and is responsible for matching students with job offers submitted by Employers.
- Below are statements from employers who participated in the CO-OP program.
- Employment of the intern after the internship.
- Establishing cooperation in allowing students to gain experience while still in college.
- Building the company’s image.
- Showing what it looks like to work in a given position, what skills, competencies are needed and what else to develop.
- Very well-matched candidates to the profile, whom the company could hire full-time after the internship.
- Eager to work and trained candidates.
- The opportunity to learn the skills of a student who was recommended by UMK, which translated into a partnership with her after she graduated.
We invite you to cooperate with us.
Contact:
Contact person: EIRU Secretariat: Bartosz Zdunowski, email: bartosz.zdunowski@umk.pl, tel. 56 611 31 52 Gagarina st. 7, 87-100 Toruń,
Career Office: phone no.: +48 56 611 47 71, https://www.biurokarier.umk.pl/projekt-co-op.
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