Skip to main content
Ontario Tech acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.

We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

Learn more about Indigenous Education and Cultural Services

Student guidelines

The University Works program aims to provide full-time Ontario Tech undergraduate students who demonstrate a financial need with useful career-related experiences to help them achieve their personal and academic goals.

University Works (UW) Program Guidelines

  • Pay Structure
    • Students in the UW program are paid a base wage of $15.50 an hour.
    • Rates above the base wage are the responsibility of the employer.
    • Students are not paid for any sick days or vacation days taken.
    • The University will pay statutory holiday pay according to the Employment Standards Act.
  • Working Hours
    • Fall/winter weekly maximum: 12 hours.
    • Summer weekly maximum: 35 hours.
    • Employees who work less than a 5-hour shift will receive a 15-minute paid break.
    • Employees who work 5 hours or more will receive a 15-minute paid break in addition to an unpaid lunch break at a minimum of 30 minutes.
    • Student employees are allowed to work up to a maximum of 7 hours a day.
  • Student Eligibility
    To be eligible for the University Works program, students must:
    • Be registered in full-time undergraduate studies in the current academic year (Sept. to April).
    • Have a demonstrated financial need.
    • Have a minimum GPA of 2.0 in their last full-time semester.
    Additional Eligibility Notes:
    • Students registered with Student Accessibility Services must be enrolled in a minimum full-time course load of 40%.
    • Students holding a TA/RA position during the employment term are not eligible for the UW program.
    Summer Employment Eligibility Notes:
    • Students must be returning to full-time undergraduate studies at Ontario Tech in the upcoming fall semester.
    • Students enrolled in more than two courses from May to August are not eligible to participate in the Summer UW program.
  • Mandatory Training
    • Once hired, mandatory training instructions will be provided to students through their Ontariotechu.net email.
    • Students must complete all mandatory training within the first two weeks of employment.
    • If the student has previously been an employee within the University Works program and has completed the training, they do not need to complete it again.

Roles and Responsibilities

  • The Student Awards and Financial Aid (SAFA) Office
    • Coordinates the process of requesting, approving and advertising jobs for Ontario Tech employers.
    • Determines student eligibility via application forms and provides communications regarding the UW program.
    • Provides training to the students and outlines the details of the program.
  • The Employer
    • Interviews and hires qualified students.
    • Informs the SAFA office of hires.
    • Ensures the student receives orientation, AODA training, safety and job training.
    • Ensures the student understands the terms of employment (i.e. pay rate, start and end dates, performance expectations, dress code, etc.).
    • Must notify the SAFA office and Human Resources if the student is terminated or resigns from their position.
    • Ensures the student's timesheets in Web-Time (my.ontariotechu.ca/) reflect the hours worked.
    • The employer is responsible for collecting and submitting the 3-page contract (signed by both the student and employer) to universityworks@ontariotechu.ca in the first week of employment.
  • Student Responsibilities
    • Understands and meets the terms of employment.
    • Fulfills their job requirements outlined by their employer.
    • Completes all mandatory training within the first two weeks of employment.
    • Ensure their timesheets are submitted through Web-Time (my.ontariotechu.ca/) in accordance with the submission schedule.
    • The University Works program aims to provide valuable work experience; however, students should not replace current full-time/part-time employees.
    • Students cannot act as Research Assistants (RA).