The project is only a year old, but has already seen positive results.
That's according to Lt. Navy Chris Elliotte who says his team has travelled from school to school to see who might be interested in a four credit paid co-op and now they have everyone at the HMCS Hunter facility going through the ropes.
"They join as a recruit, they're doing their basic training for a four-credit co-op through the high school. We facilitate with the schools for the completion of the basic training course from start to finish, starting in February in the second semester," he says. "They'd be working in the evenings and weekends here and then going away for their final few credits for three weeks in Quebec City in the summer.
It's an easy sell for those looking to expand their skills and get paid, he added.
"One, it's a paid co-op, which is unique, four credits, it's a good number of credits for most students. Also they're going to gain a lot of useful life experience," says Elliotte. "The ability to travel, earn qualifications that help build their resume, there's leadership training, group cohesion experience and anything they want to do in the future - they're be able to use this as a reference for a job."
The Navy isn't for everyone, but Elliotte hopes at the end of their co-op, they see the value in service, but he's happy they'll walk away better people.
"We always encourage them to stay with us after, there's plenty more opportunity to be on the program, but if the decision to do the co-op when they get out after, they still have a great opportunity and a great reference point for what they've accomplished her," he says.
It's the second annual co-op drive for HMCS Hunter and Elliotte tells AM800 News there will likely be a third next fall.