Several University of Regina alumni were in the city earlier this week to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the school’s co-operative program.

The program, which was originally intended for engineering students only, helps build work experience through internships and work/study placements, which in turn helps the students build a network for their career advancement.

Student affairs spokesperson Kevin Bolen talked about how the co-op program has received great community support.

In 2019, there were 865 co-operative education placements including 208 international students in domestic placements and 82 indigenous interns that participated in the Full Circle Summer Internship Program.

“They get to develop a network of contacts who can mentor them, who can assist them with their career development because it’s pretty hard to get experience without experience,” explained Bolen.

“When you use the co-op program, you definitely have a leg up on other students when you graduate.”

Starting out as an engineering education program, the co-op program has since expanded to several studies such as business, science and indigenous career education.

It has seen over 60 per cent growth in placements over the last decade.