Cooperative Education & Careers Division

• Introduction
• What we offer
• How to contact us
• Location
• Opening hours
• What you can expect from us
• What we can expect from you
• How we can act on your behalf
• The limitations of our service

Introduction

The Cooperative Education and Careers Division undertakes to develop and promote the Cooperative Education Programme (the Programme) managing an employer network and providing market intelligence. Cooperative Education integrates academic study with real world experience and completion of the programme is a prerequisite for graduation. The Division is, therefore, the primary point of contact for:-

• Undergraduates required to complete Cooperative Education placement
• Employers interested in student placements
• University faculty responsible for visits during placement and/or interested in developing working relationships with employers.

The primary objective of CECD is to manage, develop and promote the Cooperative Education programme and the Careers Service at the University. Such a dual mandate ensures that students, the University, and employers have a single contact point for both undergraduate placements and graduate opportunities.

The Service is committed to supporting students and developing the placement process for students, employers and faculty.

For Education students, Teaching Practice is the experiential placement programme.

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What we offer 

To support our objective of maximising placement opportunities you can expect the following services to be provided:

Opportunities for placement

The CECD undertakes to actively promote the programme through continuous interaction with employer organisations, professional bodies and government entities.

Advice

• Professional advice to assist you through the placement programme.
• Placement Officers & Cooperative Education Managers available for consultations daily.
• Telephone or email contact with Officers or Managers
• Access to computer based guidance systems.

Information

Company information, e.g. website addresses, company profiles and access to Cooperative Education reports of previous students is made available.

Planning & Preparation

• Programme of seminars, workshops and briefings on the Service, recruitment and selection.
• Preparatory Programmes outlining the processes and focussing on interviews and employer expectations.
• Coaching on psychometric testing and assessment centres, where they form part of the employer selection process.
• Computer-assisted career advice via careers website.
• Overseas Preparatory Programme.
• Cooperative Report guidelines.

Students with Disabilities

The Service supports the special Cooperative Education-related needs of students by means of customised services provided by a Projects Officer, in conjunction with the University Disability Liaison Officer. These services are outlined in the leaflet ‘Supporting students with disabilities’.

Cooperative Education Website

The website provides information on the full range of support services and resources provided, a calendar of careers events, information on the employment record of UL graduates, plus access to other careers resources.
The website also provides access to our Career Development Module and Key Skills Online, online resources accessible to all registered students.

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How to contact us

• Address: Cooperative Education & Careers Division, University of Limerick
• Website: www.ul.ie/coop/coop (for e-mail addresses of members of staff)
• Telephone: (061) 202044
• Fax: (061) 330976

Location

The main office of the Cooperative Education & Careers Division is in Room EO 005, Block E, Level O. The location of the individual offices of the Cooperative Eduation Managers is provided on the website and the information is on display inside the main office E0005.

Opening hours

• Monday:       - - - - - - -                         2.30 p.m. - 4.00 p.m.
• Tuesday:      11.30 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. &  2.30 p.m.- 4.00 p.m.
• Wednesday: 11.30 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. & 2.30 p.m.- 4.00 p.m.
• Thursday:     11.30 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. & 2.30 p.m.- 4.00 p.m.
• Friday:         11.30 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. & 2.30 p.m. - 4.00 p.m.

Any changes to opening hours are noted on the website. Members of staff can be contacted by email at any stage and access to the website and online resources is available at all times.

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What you can expect from us

You are entitled to expect that the Service will be staffed by competent and appropriately qualified staff who, with your active participation, will facilitate you in preparing for placements by:

• Notifying you of interviews and providing interview details.
• Briefing you on employer requirements/ job specification.
• Providing, as appropriate, feedback after interviews have taken place.
• Providing an awareness of personal skills, interests and motivations in relation to placements.
• Giving you an understanding of how your Cooperative Education placement contributes to your career developments.
• Developing your ability to project yourself effectively to potential employers.
  

What we can expect from you

• We expect you to adhere to the Code of Practice relating to the Service. In summary the Code of Practice addresses areas such as your obligation to complete the necessary documentation on time, attend Preparatory Programmes, attend interviews, acceptance of job offer, submit your cooperative education report and gives some guidance on appropriate behaviour while on placement. There is also a reference to the additional requirements that arise in relation to international placements. 
• A copy of the Code of Practice is included in your Cooperative Education handbook.
  

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How we can act on your behalf

• Developing a network of Cooperative Education employers, both in Ireland and internationally.
• Securing employers’ commitment to the Service, through continuous interaction.
• Promoting UL students to prospective employers in Ireland and internationally.
• Undertaking the organisation of placement interviews either on campus or with employers, whichever is appropriate.
• Encouraging employers to visit the campus.

The limitations of our service

The Service is aimed at undergraduates who must complete a placement in order to meet course requirements. During certain times of the year, mainly at times of high interview activity, the opening hours for consultations with Placement Officers and Managers may be restricted. This information will be given during the Preparatory Programme sessions.

In circumstances where placement restrictions apply or when unfavourable economic conditions exist, alternative educational and practical programmes are arranged for the benefit of students.

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