On-boarding and Supervising Work Integrated Learning Students for Remote Workplace Success

• Forward company's offer letter, HR & I.T. policy forms etc. to student for digital signatures.
• Provide student with clear expectations regarding working from home - hours of work, taking breaks, handling of confidential information etc.
• Ensure student has all the necessary technology and equipment to successfully perform their job duties.  Do you have technology in place that allows for easy, real time communication? 
• Conduct a test-run before students begins to ensure technology is in working order, passwords work etc.

• Review job description, work term objectives and confirm the student has a good understanding of these expectations.  
• Ask the student what they hope to learn on this co-op and if possible, create a plan to achieve this (see Competencies & Learning Objectives PDF on this page). 
• Introduce the student to colleagues, perhaps a virtual meet-up to make introductions - it helps to put faces to names. 
• Provide the student with contact information (phone and email addresses) for their supervisor, team members and other company employees as required.
• Provide the student with all company policies and procedures, including information about expected work hours, breaks, lunch break, how to submit requests for time off, how to submit sick time, etc.
• Provide the student with information about the required methods of communication, maintain their ability to be reached by your organization, a plan for check-ins, meeting expectations, and all other expectations involved with remote work.
• If the organization has hired other co-op students, provide them with a network to interact online with and share experiences while on their co-op work term.

•  Schedule daily check-ins to discuss tasks to be completed and review progress to date. Give the student an opportunity to ask questions or to clarify anything of which they may be unsure.
•  Have routine virtual team meetings to maintain connection amongst the team, allow some time for topics outside of work to promote social connection.
•   provide regular feedback on student's performance and make suggestions for improvement or further learning, provide online learning tools if available.  As appropriate, give student more advanced tasks and responsibility.
•  Complete a mid-point evaluation and review it with the student.  Some programs will have a structured evaluation for you to complete; the student will provide you with the details which will then be shared with the Co-op Office.

•  Complete Final Employer Evaluation and review with student. This evaluation along with a student reflection report is submitted to the Co-op Office as part of the  Co-op Work Term Grade.  You will be provided with the Final Employer Evaluation  information toward the end of the work term by your student. 
•  If appropriate, discuss the possibility of the Co-op student returning to your organization for their next work term.

Sheridan co-op assistance is available to both WIL employers and students throughout the co-op/internship work-term should either have any questions or concerns about the success of the partnership. If you are supporting a student in field placement/experience, mandatory professional practice, or apprenticeship, for support please contact your field coordinator/field liaison in your Faculty Office.