UNB Saint John awards Irving Oil Co-op Employer of the Year

The Faculty of Business Co-op Program at UNB Saint John will recognize Irving Oil as its 2007 Co-op Employer of the Year.  Tanya Chapman, Senior Manager of Organizational Development, Irving Oil, will receive the award during the Faculty of Business Employer Appreciation Breakfast at the UNB Saint John Grand Hall on Wednesday, March 21st, starting at 7:30 a.m.

Irving Oil was chosen for its outstanding educational partnership that has contributed to the career development and employment of many UNB Saint John Faculty of Business co-op students and alumni. The award is granted annually by the Faculty of Business during National Co-op Week.

"We appreciate the many ways that Irving Oil has and continues to support our Faculty and in particular, the Co-op Program," said Dr. Shelley Rinehart, Dean of Business at UNB Saint John.  "Students consistently report back to us about the positive and exciting learning environment they’ve worked in at Irving Oil, and the excellent mentorship they receive while there.  As testament to the quality of the work term experience, and our students, many co-op work terms have translated into permanent jobs with the company after graduation."

“Irving Oil has participated in the Co-op Program for the past 12 years, and the students we’ve employed have made tremendous contributions to our company,” said Tanya Chapman. “Due to the high caliber of these students, and the strong impact they’ve had on our workplace, we’ve been fortunate to hire many of them as full-time employees.”

The Canadian Association for Co-operative Education hosts National Co-operative Education Week each year to recognize the contributions of employers and students involved in co-op programs across the country.  Co-op Employer of the Year has previously been awarded to other organizations in the region including J.D. Irving, Limited, Enterprise Saint John and Saint John Energy.

Since 1991, nearly 1300 UNB Saint John business students have taken advantage of co-op placements, helping students to gain valuable work experience and allowing employers early access to potential recruitment opportunities.  UNB Saint John thanks the many organizations who have supported the Co-op Program and have continuously provided employment and learning opportunities for students.  UNB Saint John’s Business Co-op Program is the only accredited business program in New Brunswick, through the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education.

For further information, please contact Stacey Cool, Co-op Program and Planning Assistant, UNB Saint John, at (506) 648-5741 or at cool@unbsj.ca