HERizon Employers Information

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the HERizon Co‑op Program?
  The HERizon Co-op Program is a strategic initiative by Ontario Tech University designed to increase the number of women-identifying students entering engineering programs and, ultimately, engineering careers. The program partners with industry to create meaningful co‑op opportunities, mentorship connections, and career pathways.
• Why should employers partner with HERizon?
  Organizations become partners to:
  
  

  • Advance equity, diversity, and inclusion commitments.
  • Build a dedicated pipeline of emerging women engineering talent.
  • Contribute to meaningful social impact by empowering women in engineering.
  • Enhance brand visibility among future engineers.
  • Leverage fresh ideas, new technical skills, and innovative thinking from students.
  • Support gender parity in historically underrepresented technical roles.
• What does a partnership involve?
  Partner organizations commit to:
  
  

  • A three‑year partnership with HERizon.
  • Providing a dedicated number of paid co‑op positions for women‑identifying engineering students.
  • Appointing a corporate liaison who will define priorities, support implementation, and champion the program within the organization.
• What types of roles are appropriate for HERizon students?
  Roles can span all engineering disciplines offered at Ontario Tech, including:
  
  

  • Automotive engineering
  • Electrical engineering
  • Energy engineering
  • Industrial engineering
  • Manufacturing engineering
  • Mechanical engineering
  • Mechatronics engineering
  • Nuclear engineering
  • Software engineering

  Positions should offer meaningful, real‑world engineering experience that aligns with program and industry needs.
• How does the recruitment process work?
  ● Partners identify co‑op opportunities they want to offer through the HERizon program.
  ● Ontario Tech promotes these opportunities directly to students registered in HERizon.
  ● Ontario Tech provides recruitment support, including posting positions, promoting roles, and assisting with selection logistics.
  ● Employers select and hire students.
• Is there a cost to participate?
  There is no program fee. Partner organizations commit to offering paid co‑op work-terms, in alignment with Ontario Tech’s co‑op requirements. Wage subsidies or funding may be available depending on the role and industry, and Ontario Tech can guide employers through options.
• What support do employers receive?
  HERizon partners receive:
  
  

  • Dedicated support from Ontario Tech
  • Recruitment and posting support
  • Guidance on co‑op requirements and best practices
  • Assistance with onboarding recommendations
  • Ongoing communication and troubleshooting
• What support do students receive before joining an employer?
  Students in HERizon may receive career preparation on communication, professionalism, and workplace expectations, among other supports. 
• What is expected from employers in terms of supervision?
  Employers are asked to:
  
  

  • Designate a supervisor or mentor
  • Offer regular feedback and guidance
  • Participate in required evaluations
  • Provide meaningful work aligned with engineering competencies
  • Supervision expectations are similar to any standard engineering co‑op work-term
• How long are the co-op work-terms?
  Work-terms follow Ontario Tech’s standard co‑op timelines (typically 4, 8, 12, or 16 months), depending on employer needs and student program requirements.
• What if a challenge arises during a student’s work-term?
  Our unit provides active support. Employers are encouraged to contact us early so concerns can be addressed promptly and collaboratively.
• Can this lead to future hiring?
  Yes. HERizon is an opportunity to intentionally build your pipeline to recruit women-identifying students into engineering roles. Co‑op work-terms are a low‑risk, high‑value way to evaluate future engineers and diversify your workforce. We would be happy to discuss how you can recruit students beyond this program.
• How do we get started?
  Becoming a HERizon partner is simple:
  
  

  1. Assign a corporate liaison, review, and sign a partnership agreement
  2. Identify co‑op roles for women‑identifying engineering students.
  3. Begin recruiting through HERizon.

  Reach out to us to start the conversation: careercentre@ontariotechu.ca.

• What impact does the program aim to achieve?
  HERizon aims to:
  
  

  • Build a more equitable engineering sector in Canada
  • Connect industry with diverse talent
  • Increase enrollment of women in engineering at Ontario Tech
  • Promote inclusive engineering workplaces
  • Strengthen pathways into engineering careers