Fayetteville Technical Community College

Thank you so much for your interest in Fayetteville Technical Community College Cooperative Education Program (Co-op).  Co-op is an educational option that provides students an opportunity to apply classroom learning with paid (or non-paid) work experiences.  Students are placed in jobs related to their major and career goals in area businesses,  industries, and public agencies which provide ascending levels of responsibility and training as students carry out their work assignments.  The words “Co-op” and “internship” are used interchangeably.

All Co-op students are pre-screened by the Co-op Coordinator and only the Co-op Coordinator can register students for Co-op classes.  This is to ensure that every Co-op student meets not only FTCC requirements, but also the State of North Carolina requirements. These requirements include:

                            Minimum GPA of 2.0

                            Must be officially enrolled in a program that offers the Co-op option

                            See Program Offerings

                            Must have completed a minimum of 12 credit hours in their “major/core”     

                            courses.

As you can see, students are not “green” but have a basic foundation. Co-op starts at the beginning of every semester at  FTCC.  We have three semesters: fall (usually begins August through half of December), spring (usually begins January through half of May), and summer (usually begins end of May through July).

Students work a part-time schedule while attending classes at  FTCC. A standard semester is 16 weeks long.  Course credit is earned based upon the number of hours worked per week each semester.  For one credit hour, a student needs to work 10-19 hours per week (a minimum total of 160 hours per semester).  For two credit hours, a student needs to work 20+ hours per week (a minimum total of 320 hours per semester). For three credit hours, a student needs to work 30+ hours per week (a minimum total of 480 hours per semester).

The quality of work performed must meet the standards set forth by employers.  Similarly, students must meet the academic standards set forth by the College.  Employers determine the rate of pay.  They keep in mind the work assignments, background, and educational level of the student along with work quality and the established policies of the employer.

Co-op has many benefits for employers:

• Access to University talent and resources
• No fees
• No contracts
• Reduced recruiting/training costs
• Pre-screened applicants
• Skilled labor pool
• Accessibility/Availability
• Future college graduates
• Potential permanent employees
• Community involvement - spread the good news about your company/agency to

            college administrators, faculty, students, and friends.

• Positive impact on workforce development

All sorts of opportunities exist for motivated individuals and interested companies to enter into a mutually beneficial relationship – through Co-op.

If you are interested in securing a Co-op student(s), complete and submit the Employer Request for Co-op Student Form found under Employer Forms to the left. Also feel free to view the Employer FAQ. In addition, feel free to contact the FTCC Co-op Office at 910-678-8268 or e-mail the Co-op Coordinator, Karen Atkinson, at atkinsok@faytechcc.edu.