Computer and Information Systems Technology Co-op Opportunities for Employers
Become a Red River College Polytechnic co-op business partner.
Co-operative education (Co-op Ed) at Red River College Polytechnic integrates related on-the-job experience with classroom theory by providing an employer-paid work experience with academic study. The College offers co-operative education as part of its education strategy.
Gain Access to Qualified Students
After the third semester of the Business Information Technology, Business Technology Management and Information Security programs, students will gain practical applied training through an industry project or paid co-op work term. Upon completion of the third term, students will have acquired the knowledge and skill sets to succeed in their co-op placements. These skills will provide value to you, the employer, who will have access to the next generation of industry experts, and to the students, who apply their knowledge in real-life.
Benefits to Employers
In order to meet your current recruiting needs and beyond, Red River College Polytechnic is pleased to offer you highly motivated individuals trained in business and state-of-the-art information systems technologies. Many organizations view co-operative education as an efficient and cost-effective recruitment tool.
| Program | Business Information Technology (BIT) | Business Technology Management (BTM) | Information Security (InfoSec) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diploma Program | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Post-graduation Diploma Program | ✔ | ||
| Student Skill Sets | Application Development Network Management Web Development Database Management | Business Analysis Project Management Business Development Information Technology | Security Service Management Security Program and Project Management Business Context Security Technology |
| Work Term Start | January April | January April | January |
| Work Term Length | Four months + optional additional four months | Four months + optional additional four months | Four months |
| When will students graduate? | One term (four to six months) after completion of co-op term | One term (four to six months) after completion of co-op term | Students graduate upon completion of co-op term |
Student skill sets
Business Information Technology (BIT)
The Business Information Technology program is a two-year co-operative education diploma program. Successful students receive a solid foundation in information technology in their first three semesters. They gain knowledge specific to the following areas:
Application Development
Application Development builds proficiency in application development for business systems. Major languages explored include Java, C# and .Net.
Network Management
Network Management teaches the skills needed for network administration, security and disaster recovery, platform integration, and Windows and Unix servers. The focus of our courses is to provide the necessary skills for the Cisco Networking Certification Program.
Web Development
Web Development provides students with the specialized skills needed to develop content for the Web, including server-side technologies, introductory Internet security, platform integration, and mobile technologies.
The main technologies students learn include HTML5, XHTML, XML, CSS and JavaScript. Languages include PHP, Python and ASP.
Database management
Database Management examines the key database concepts for working with Relational Database Management Systems. These concepts include Entity Relationship Diagrams, Structured Query Language, stored procedures and Crystal Reports. A solid knowledge of the Oracle system catalogue is developed.
About the Program
In the student’s final semester they are provided with a series of technology electives to provide advanced skills in their area of choice plus provided courses that emphasize IT in a business environment.
All students are provided with training in three distinct areas:
- Hands-on technical training using Object Oriented techniques and tools.
- Related business courses for understanding business systems
- Practical applied training, through an industry project or paid co-op work term
The BIT program has been accredited by the Canadian Information Processing Society’s (CIPS) College Program Accreditation Council (CPAC). The CPAC works with academic institutions to ensure that educational programs prepare students for the demands of the Information System profession. Completion of accredited computer information systems programs assist graduates in pursuing the Information Systems Professional of Canada (I.S.P.) designation.
Business Technology Management (BTM)
The Business Technology Management program is a two-year co-operative education diploma program. Successful students receive the knowledge and skill set required to analyze, design and manage projects and businesses in the area of information technology. Students in this program are exposed to a variety of case studies and practical skills to be effective in advising or managing teams in the IT field.
Students gain knowledge specific to the following areas:
Business Analysis
Business Analysis enables students to gather business requirements, analyze business and client needs, solve problems, act as a liaison between the company and clients and communicate processes and requirements to the information technology department. The program provides tools such as UML and BPMN for designing business processes.
Project Management
Project Management covers the fundamentals of working in a team environment to develop a solution to a business problem using information technology. Project management skills are developed that help students in determining feasibility, identifying alternate solutions, performing cost-benefit analyses, writing project charters, determining project scope, creating work breakdown structures, analyzing risk and providing change management.
Business Development
Business Development provides a good understanding of business fundamentals from both a management and a company perspective. A strong foundation of business is explored in accounting, finance, economics, management, organizational behaviour business law and ethics.
Information Technology
Information Technology provides hands-on development of business applications, business systems, web based applications and network architecture. Analysis, design, development, testing and implementation of applications are taught. Exposure to Python, HTML, CSS and Javascript along with SQL and relational databases.
About the Program
The BTM program has been accredited by the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC). ITAC works with academic institutions to ensure that educational programs prepare students for the demands of the ICT profession.
Information Security (InfoSec)
The Information Security program is a two-year Co-operative Education post-graduation diploma program. Successful students receive the knowledge and skill set required to analyze, evaluate, manage and respond to today’s most complex information security issues. Students also learn the fundamentals of designing and analyzing robust personal, enterprise and web-based IT security systems.
Information Security students gain knowledge specific to the following areas:
Security Service Management
Security Service Management is a standardized approach to security services management providing the ability to protect technology networks and data from hackers or other risks. Students acquire a strong understanding of daily security operational tasks with appropriate processes and procedures for sustainability to mitigate organizational risks.
Security Program and Project Management
Security Program and Project Management covers the fundamentals of working in a team environment to develop solutions to mitigate a security risk using information security technology, training, policies, standards and business requirements, procedures and processes. Both Security Program and Project Management skills are developed in determining feasibility, identifying alternate solutions, performing cost-benefit analyses, writing project charters, determining project scope, creating work breakdown structures, analyzing risk and providing change management.
Business Context
Business Context provides a good understanding of business fundamentals from both a management and an organizational risk perspective. Reviewing critical business functions will help to identify what is important to organizations to be able to stay in business, which business assets require protection, risk mitigation strategies, business continuity, disaster recovery and metrics to measure performance.
Security Technology
Security Technology provides hands-on experience in various security technologies, web-based application protection, security architecture, analysis, design, development, testing and implementation of security technologies. ITIL concepts, processes, procedures, technologies and security incident response are also taught.
About the Program
Faculty and staff of the Information Security program have affiliations with the following associations:
- Information Systems Audit and Control Association, ISACA
- International Information System Security Certification Consortium, (ISC)²
The Information Security program prepares students to write specific certification exams through ISACA and Fortinet.
Student Availability
The Co-operative Education work term occurs in the second year of the programs above. Students will be looking for employment in areas of application development and network management (BIT), business analysis and project management (BTM) and security analysis, penetration testing, computer forensics and risk management (InfoSec).
Placement of eligible students occurs in January and May of each year (depending on the program). The placement process begins approximately 12 weeks prior to the start of each work term. Employers who hire a co-op student will have the opportunity to evaluate and assess a potential future employee.
Funding Opportunities
Learn more about available funding to hire your student:
How to Become our Co-Op Partner?
Register today to become a recognized Red River College Polytechnic co-op partner.
RRC Polytech campuses are located on the lands of Anishinaabe, Ininiwak, Anishininew, Dakota, and Dené, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.
We recognize and honour Treaty 3 Territory Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, the source of Winnipeg’s clean drinking water. In addition, we acknowledge Treaty Territories which provide us with access to electricity we use in both our personal and professional lives.