UPEI Business Co-op Student lands opportunity in aerospace

Catherine Fournier, a second year student enrolled in the Business Co-operative Education program at UPEI, is keen to contribute to the success of Wiebel Aerospace over the next few months. Fournier is completing her final work term in the co-op program as the Marketing Coordinator for the emerging aerospace company. Wiebel specializes in the manufacturing of precision machined components for aircraft landing gear and flight controls and currently employs 29 people at their facility in Summerside.

Fournier is responsible for assisting the company find new customers and new avenues of business. She will also work on bringing a fresh look to Wiebel's existing website and create some new marketing materials for the company. Fournier began her work term at Wiebel on January 17, 2011, where she will be employed for 16 weeks.

'We thought the Marketing Coordinator position would be an ideal experience for a UPEI Business Co-op student and we will certainly benefit from Catherine's fresh insights and enthusiasm,' said Charleen Hanlan, Customer Service Manager at Wiebel Aerospace. Hanlan added, 'The funding has allowed Wiebel to dedicate resources to a priority project within the company. Our experience with the UPEI Business Co-op program has been a win-win opportunity.'

Wiebel is one of numerous private sector businesses benefitting from funding made available through the Business and Science co-op programs at UPEI. The project, funded by Skills PEI through the Canada-PEI Labour Market Agreement, has developed quality work terms for students in the private sector. The funds are used in the form of wage incentives - up to 50 per cent of a co-op student's hourly wage - for approved private sector businesses on PEI. Employers are eligible to receive this assistance for up to 16 weeks.

Co-operative education offers an integrated educational program, combining academic studies with practical work experiences outside the university environment. The programs are founded on the principle that students apply theoretical knowledge from course studies and return to the classroom with related professional experience. At UPEI, ‘co-op' is available for students enrolled in Business, Physics, and Computer Science. Students complete four 12-16 week work terms during the May-August, September- December, and January-April periods.

Anyone interested in more information can contact Jessica Gillis, Project Coordinator of the Private Sector Business and Science Co-op Development Program, at (902) 894-2830 or jpgillis@upei.ca.