Posted on: 04-02-04 19:17:05
Quote:
Orginally posted by biomed
I am writing this not to discourage anyone but I think it would be appropriate to share the experience, my 4 friends had with this “CO-OP” program. All four friends got “VOLENTEER” placement with good companies and once their term finished they were given only reference letter not the job ( by the way these reference letters do not carry much weight). Lately they came to know that some companies taking undue advantage of this generous government program. These companies do need workers but don’t want to pay them, so for them CO-OP is the easiest way to get workers for free.
During this placement period these CO-OP workers work very hard to make good impression in front of employer but… Where else these employer will get free hardworking and sincere workers? Some of these companies are running well with the help of such workers for an extended time and they are doing well.
In this country if you are willing to work as “volunteer” most of the companies would be willing to help you, at that time your non-Canadian education and work experience is very much acceptable but when it comes to paid employment, story is different, they won’t have work for you to begin with and your qualification & work experience would not be recognized by the same employer.
Thanks and regards.
Biomed
It is true that few company may be explioting the Co-op pragramme but it all depends with what idea you are doing a co-op .If you are doing a co-op with the idea of gaining some canadian experience and knowing more about its working from inside the company learning way of working, communicating with collegues etc. it serves your purpose, but if start with the idea that you will get a paid job is not nesessary.
Duffrin Peel board boasts of 85% success of this programme, and I have confirmed with lots of people who have high regards for this programme.I feel that we should be content with what we are getting with this programme then looking what employer is getting from us.
If we go to casino and win money, we should be happy, we should not worry how much money casino owner is making.
It is not easy to work for free in Canada, because of insurance etc. Board arranges for 400 hrs insurance for student , that's why industries are willing to take students. Even with all this they take proper interview and if they like candidate then only they take them, so one should not underrate the importance of Co-op programme.I know lots of my friends who are willing to work for free for accounting area and trying from last one year.No body is ready to take people even for free.
Only Mantra is to look all the positives of each programmes and upgrade the skills and search with full energy, the day you loose hope ,you loose your career.
For the IIT graduates /Post graduates there is a organisation IFI, (IITians for IITians) they help in settling IITians from india.It is a similar group which has been suggested by one of our friends in one of replies.
I have come to know that Chinese people have excellent networking in their community and help each other upto great extent.Which is totally missing.Once all of us go to confort level we forget about out struggle and start giving "Shiksha" to others then actual helping.
I am sure if all of us put our mind together then there is no reason that we all should be wasting 3-4 years of our life in such frustation, and even settling in Canada may also be a fun.
I think I have written too long to read,but still I hope some people may enjoy it and will be beneficial for some.
Thanks a lot for reading it so pateintly.
Pravan
All I can say is "BEST OF LUCK" 
Thanks and regards.
Biomed
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"Change before you have to" : Jack Welch
Pravan, thank you for the valuable information that you have chipped in and Biomed, thank you for warning about the pitfalls.
Maybe, we need some more inputs about the success rates of such schemes that are offered. Pravan, keep us updated, since you have joined the school, you may be able to give the most authentic feedback !
And yes, the networking of the Indian community can play a major role....I wonder if someone settled in Canada could volunteer to take an initiative to build the network!
Vishal Grover
"the networking of the Indian community can play a major role"
There are quite a few networking organizations with in Indian community. There are also several active alumni associations which help fellow alumni who are new immigrants.
I am a member of IIT Alumni Canada and I believe they are having a meeting this Saturday at Scarborough Civic Center in GTA focusing on their program for helping settle new IITian immigrants. There is also an active Alumni organization for Jadhavpur Univ.
My advise will be to look out side of Indian community for networking opportunities too. They may yield greater reward. Depending on your line of work, you can find specialized networking organizations such as Society for Internet Professionals (SIP), etc.
