National Co-op Week, held this year from March 19-23, was established to recognize the value and importance of co-operative education at Canada’s colleges and universities. Conestoga marked the occasion by naming the recipients of this year’s Co-op Student of the Year and Co-op Employer of the Year awards. Student awards were presented at the college’s Scholarship Reception on March 8, and the employer award was presented at a special reception on March 22 at the Doon campus.
The Co-op Employer of the Year Award recognizes a company or organization that, over time, continues to provide meaningful learning experiences in the workplace for Conestoga co-op students.
The 2011 recipients of Co-op Student of the Year awards are Breanna Finnamore of Kitchener, and Matthew Chominiec of Cambridge. The 2011 Co-op Employer of the Year is Cambridge-based Gore Mutual Insurance Company.


Each winning Co-op Student of the Year received a commemorative certificate and a cash award.
Gore Mutual Insurance Company was established in 1839 and is Canada’s oldest property and casualty insurance company. Gore has been an outstanding supporter of Conestoga’s co-op students and programs for the past several years. In 2011 alone, Gore hired 11 of Conestoga’s co-op students for a total of 14 co-op work term placements. Five of these students enjoyed such a valuable and enriching co-op experience that they collaborated to nominate Gore for this annual award. In addition to work opportunities, Gore provides an annual scholarship for an outstanding graduating student in the Business - Insurance program, hosts an annual Conestoga Student Day with job shadowing, and shares experience and expertise through in-class presentations.
The Award was presented by Conestoga president John Tibbits and Business - Insurance program coordinator Glenn Planert.
Conestoga currently offers more than 50 co-op programs, including 9 degree programs. These range from Culinary Management and Woodworking Technology, to Business Administration - Marketing and Human Resources Management, to Civil Engineering Technology and Computer Programmer/Analyst. Every four-year Conestoga degree program features co-op.
Co-operative education, which gives students the opportunity to work in paid employment related to their chosen fields of study, combining periods in college or university with real-world experiences and situations, has become a much-respected and highly valued form of practical higher education.
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CONTACT: Craig Black, Co-op and Career Services, 519-748-5220, ext. 3219, cblack@conestogac.on.ca