Co-operative educational program

Gain practical work experience to put towards your future career 

Gain valuable career experience to help you with future career opportunities by applying to be a co-op student within different areas at BC Hydro.  

What you learn and experience

• Practical, hands-on work experience directly related to your specific field of study.
• Ongoing support and training opportunities.
• Networking with peers within your division.
• Opportunities to learn about other divisions and initiatives at BC Hydro to explore future career options.

As a co-op student, you’ll be based out of one of our offices throughout B.C. Each co-op posting will specify the location in which the position is based.

What you bring

• You're enrolled in a co-op program at a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada.
• You have excellent written and oral communications skills.
• You can work well independently and in a team setting.

Please note that some co-op positions may require you to hold a valid B.C. driver's license or equivalent.

We've got you covered

Your co-op salary is determined based on the number of work terms you've completed to date. In addition to a competitive base salary, you'll receive flex credits that can be used in a variety of ways (e.g. paid flex days). You'll also have access to our Employee Wellness Program and nother resources such as health education training workshops, health promotions and the Employee and Family Assistance Program.

Co-op work terms

We offer four-month co-op work terms in the winter (January to April), summer (May to August), and fall (September to December), with the possibility to extend the work term to up to eight months.

What past co-op students have to say about their experience:

“Being a co-op at BC Hydro was a great experience for me! I got a chance to work in Generation with the project delivery division. What I most appreciated about this co-op was that I didn’t just feel like a summer student. My supervisor motivated me and gave me a sense of belonging by introducing me to co-workers as an integral part of the team. This co-op allowed me to get to know a lot of great individuals of different age groups and skills but it also helped to open my eyes and better choose my career path.”

Hyder Zaka, EIT (Engineer-In-Training), Former Electrical Engineering Co-op Student, UBC

“I believe the BC Hydro Co-op Program is an amazing opportunity for any aspiring engineer. I’ve experienced an amazing balance of work, life, challenge, and support. There are so many difficulties facing the electric utility sector that work can be invigorating, while BC Hydro gives sufficient priority to work-life balance that you can continue to enjoy your personal life and explore our beautiful province. To make it even better, the team at BC Hydro is committed to career employees, so that the co-op program is an excellent opportunity to find a lifelong career.”

Blake Veerman, Electrical Engineering Co-op Student, UBC – Okanagan