What is a Trent School of Environment Placement?
The Trent School of Environment (TSE) placement model is student-centered with a focus on professional development. We aim to place students in an organization that provides learning opportunities/ work experience directly related to their academic program of study and career objectives.
Placements build confidence, develop social skills, enhance professional knowledge and networks, encourage contributions as a team member, and instill the responsibility of being present and contributing on a set work schedule.
Our placements must meet the following criteria:
- Each placement must be developed and/ or approved by the TSE as a suitable learning situation;
- The student must be engaged in productive work rather than merely observing (commonly known as job shadowing) and have regular attendance;
- The host agency must provide the student with a direct supervisor on site that guides the student with professional mentorship and learning opportunities throughout their daily activities;
- Student performance at the placement is evaluated by the host agency supervisor.
Within the TSE, we offer the course ERST-ERSC-GEOG-SAFS 3890H, as the primary course students pursue to gain placement experience. Students eligible to take this course are in their final two years of their degree programs and have a minimum of a 75% GPA.
How many hours are completed in a placement?
A placement consists of a minimum of 80 hours over one academic term (in most cases unpaid), that provides the student with practical learning opportunities/work experience and professional development toward their career goals in their area of interest. Normally students complete 7-8 hours per week for 12 weeks (one term). Additional time may be completed over reading break or by assisting the agency during evening or weekend events.
In addition to the work placement, the student would be expected meet with the course instructor on-line during the allotted course time (synchronous).
What kind of tasks can be given to the students?
The TSE is flexible regarding the type of learning opportunity/ work that a student may be engaged with, provided the learning opportunity/ work will enable a student to develop professional skills, it is meaningful work for the organization, and there is a mentor/ supervisor available onsite to provide guidance and feedback.
Previous tasks have included:
- Research
- Data management and analysis
- Report writing
- Laboratory procedures to analyze environmental samples and presence of contaminants
- Field work related to biomonitoring of aquatic or terrestrial environments and species populations
- Administration duties to promote environmental initiatives in the community
- Public outreach and education about environmental programs
- Agricultural activities
- Growing, harvesting, and selling produce
- Planning and project management
Where are placements?
Placements are typically local – within the Peterborough Region. Normally placements are performed in person. Due to COVID-19 we are allowing for remote placements. Agencies will have the choice between a fully in-person placement, a combination of in-person and remote hours or a fully remote placement. The placement format may evolve as the COVID numbers fluctuate.
As a local agency, am I guaranteed a student?
Placement opportunities are normally available in fall, winter, and summer terms. The School of the Environment will do its best to try and secure each interested host agency a placement student per term but there is no guarantee. It depends on student availability and the matching of skills.
How are placement students matched with host agencies?
Two months prior to the start of the placement, students are asked to complete a Student Profile and meet with the Placement Coordinator to discuss their interests and previous experience. Host agencies are contacted by the Placement Coordinator to determine if they are interested in hosting a placement student that term. Students are then informed of available potential opportunities and asked to state what opportunities they wish to apply for. The Placement Coordinator then provides the host agencies the resumes of the students who are interested in working with them. Please note, the Placement Coordinator only connects host agencies with students who they feel have the skills and experience to be a good fit for them. Host agencies are encouraged to interview potential placement candidates prior to agreeing to host a particular student. Host agencies also reserve the right to choose not to host any of the potential candidates they were connected with.
Are the placements a paid position?
Most placements are unpaid. Some host agencies provide a small honorarium upon completion of the placement hours. Wage subsidies are also available through the Student Work Placement Program to cover the majority of student wages pertaining to experiential learning.
Who is responsible for travel expenses?
Students are responsible for travel costs to get to their host agency. Most placements are local and thus accessible by city transit buses. A few students have vehicles and some agencies reimburse mileage if the agency is not within the city limits
Is the student required to travel with the agency supervisor as part of the placement duties?
Any student on an unpaid placement that as part of their placement duties who is required to travel in the personal vehicle of their agency supervisor, must have certain documents signed prior to travel. Contact the Placement Coordinator for further details. Additionally, students should not be using a personal vehicle to complete agency work. We are strongly discouraging travel with agency supervisor during COVID-19.
Who is responsible for health and safety?
Students who participate in unpaid placements in Ontario for academic credit are considered workers under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). The host agency is responsible for the safety of their workers including placement students.
Insurance in an unpaid placement?
There are several factors that determine the type of insurance available to students on unpaid placements. It is important that these factors are understood by the student, the placement hosting agency, and the Placement Coordinator. These arrangements are normally confirmed through the use of a Student Declaration of Understanding (signed by student) and a Letter to Placement Employer and Affiliation Agreement/Placement Agreement (both signed by host agency).
For detailed information please visit the Trent University Risk Management website. If you have questions, please contact the Placement Coordinator.
A total of 6 Outcomes have been identified on the above website with Outcome 1 and 2 (below) being the most common:
- Outcome 1: The Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU) has a program that funds WSIB coverage for students on unpaid placements as part of a Ministry approved and funded programs and where the placement is with a WSIB-insured host
- Outcome 2: The MCU program also funds private insurance coverage for students on unpaid placements as part of a Ministry approved and funded programs and where the placement is a host that is not insured by the WSIB
Placement students are asked to sign an informed consent waiver acknowledging and accepting the potential risks.
Insurance in a paid placement?
In a paid placement, a student is an employee of the agency and is normally insured by the host agency and not Trent.
Can I request a criminal reference check or vulnerable sector check?
Yes. Many host agencies require a current criminal reference check or vulnerable sector check. This will be at the student’s cost. A letter will be provided to the student by the School so that the student can take advantage of the volunteer rate for the criminal reference check. The Placement Coordinator will relay this information to respective students as required. There may be delays due to COVID-19. If other documentation such as record of immunization or first aid training is required, please notify us.
Getting ready to start the placement?
Prior to the start of a placement, students will receive an email confirming their placement match, introducing them to the agency supervisor, and outlining all of the require paperwork that must be completed prior to beginning the placement. Additionally, prior to beginning placement, students complete a number of online training modules. Within the first week of placement, students and agency supervisors complete a Health and Safety checklist.
During the placement?
At the beginning of placement, students are to review and set goals in consultation with their supervisor. At the mid-pint and end of the placement, the agency supervisor will complete performance evaluations on the student’s behalf. Should any issues or difficulties arise, agencies are encouraged to reach out to the Placement Coordinator without delay.
The TSE works with both students and host agencies to create exceptional placement opportunities in our local community. We thank you for hosting our students!
