By Willow Zambrano, Talent Acquisition Coordinator
At Canfor we’re proud to support the next generation of forestry professionals and we know that starts with students. We work in a constantly evolving industry and the fresh ideas and knowledge that students bring to Canfor is valued and sought after. That’s why for years, we have offered our co-op program in partnership with post-secondary institutions and trades training programs.
Working on the Talent Acquisition team here at Canfor means that each co-op work term, I get to welcome students as they join us across all areas of the company. From accounting and woodlands to logistics and pulp innovation, each student gains valuable workplace experience in our industry. Working with Canfor experts and former co-op students alike, our co-op students participate in a program that not only interests and retains top talent, but also generates aspiration for what their future careers can offer.
We have students working alongside us throughout the year and it’s common to have some return for additional co-op terms, as well as accept full-time positions with us once their education is complete. We’re proud to have many former co-op students succeeding across Canfor’s operations. I really enjoy seeing a co-op students’ journey come full circle as they succeed in an area they are passionate about at a company that wants to help them grow.
We’re currently seeking our next cohort of co-op students! We have lots of positions posted for the May to August work term, which you can find here.
Here are some of the things recent co-ops have shared about the program:
“Identifying drives on various pieces of equipment enabled me to solidify my knowledge of machine elements as well as provide me with experience in sourcing parts depending on their application. I had multiple other projects on the side which added variety and allowed me to gain more experience in lubrication, weight loading, and solidify my Autodesk drawing capabilities.“
– Kunal, UBC Okanagan Mechanical Engineering co-op student
“One of my most valuable learnings from Canfor is how to communicate engineering work as business cases. While a lot of engineering is focused on technical know-how, it is important to be able to explain and justify a project using technical and cost-effective evidence. My co-op work here has given me plenty of practice and taught me how to think in this perspective.”
– Lena, UBC Chemical and Biological Engineering co-op student
Overall, we’re very proud to offer engaging and enriching co-op experiences and to invest in our industry’s future workforce.
Learn more about our current co-op positions here.