With youth unemployment and the transition from education to meaningful work dominating national conversations, Brandon University’s Co-operative Education (Co-op) Program is preparing to share a different story.
On Tuesday, June 16, Brandon University Co-op will host a special community announcement event celebrating student employment outcomes, employer partnerships, alumni engagement, and the growing role of experiential learning in strengthening Manitoba’s workforce.
The event comes at a time when youth unemployment and early-career uncertainty are becoming major national concerns across Canada. Recent federal reporting has emphasized the growing importance of work-integrated learning in helping students develop the experience, confidence, and professional connections needed to successfully enter today’s labour market.
“This moment feels important,” said Cora Dupuis, Director of Co-operative Education at Brandon University. “Across the country, there are real conversations happening about youth employment, confidence, career readiness, and workforce development. What we’re seeing through Co-op is that when students are given meaningful opportunities to contribute early, they rise to the occasion.”
The event will bring together students, employers, alumni, faculty, university leadership, community partners, and government representatives to celebrate the momentum and growth of the program.
This year, Brandon University Co-op students have secured work opportunities across Manitoba and beyond in sectors including technology, agriculture, mining, health care, research, communications, government, and community development.
The evening will also feature reflections from current students and Co-op alumni, who will share how experiential learning opportunities shaped their professional confidence, networks, career direction, and transition into the workforce.
“For students, it can be transformative when you are first trusted with real responsibility,” Dupuis said. “You begin to see yourself differently. You begin to understand that your ideas, your skills, and your presence have value in professional spaces.”
The June 16 event also represents an important milestone for the program, which has continued to expand its partnerships with employers and community organizations across the region.
“More and more employers are recognizing that supporting students isn’t simply an act of mentorship or community goodwill,” Dupuis said. “It’s workforce development. It’s succession planning. It’s talent retention. And increasingly, supporting students is one of the most meaningful ways organizations can invest in their own future.”
In addition to celebrating current outcomes, the event will also look ahead to the future of work-integrated learning at Brandon University and the growing role that collaborative partnerships play in supporting both student success and regional economic development.
The event will take place at the Glen P. Sutherland Gallery of Art at Brandon University. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., with the formal program beginning at 6:00 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided.
Contact
- Brandon University
- communications@brandonu.ca
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