Co-operative Education and Career Services

Gavin Poole

For the tenth year in a row, a Camosun College student has been named the ACE BC (Association of Co-operative Education for BC and the Yukon) College Co-op Education Student of the Year.

Electronics & Computer Engineering student Gavin Poole is the 2016 recipient of the prestigious award. Gavin is also a Yvonne Thompson Page Award recipient for 2016. He recently completed his co-op work term with the Canadian Coast Guard as a Communications Technician.

Gavin was given the task of trouble-shooting, fixing and modernizing electronics devices on the aging Coast Guard fleet. During his co-op he was chosen to travel to the Search and Rescue station in Gimli, Manitoba, a trip co-op students aren’t usually sent on but because of Gavin’s strong work ethic and experience an exception was made.

His duties included aiding in the replacement of the navigation computer aboard the rescue boat, installing a new radio antenna on the base, and repairing the headset communication system on the Zodiac.

“The Coast Guard Co-op position ended up being a perfect fit for me,” says Gavin. “It helped me realize what I wanted to do once I finish school and that’s why I think it’s so important for people to take advantage of the Co-op programs at their schools if possible.”

Gavin also remained on the Dean’s Honour Roll throughout his entire time at Camosun, balancing his classroom learning with his volunteer “repair and share computer” contributions to the community.