Construction software provider Slate launches internship co-op with U of T

Key Takeaways:

• Slate Technologies has launched a new 13-month internship co-op program in collaboration with the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. The partnership aims to provide students with real-world experience in software development and contribute to the long-term collaboration between Slate and U of T.
• The program integrates data engineering interns into Slate’s software development team, where they will work on advanced technologies like data science, big data interfaces, and language model development.
• Slate’s initiative not only aims to address the current labor shortage by attracting young talent but also to establish a permanent co-op program.

The Whole Story:

Construction software company Slate Technologies has launched a new internship co-op program in collaboration with the Professional Experience Year Co-op (PEY Co-op) Program at the University of Toronto (U of T) Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. Slate stated that the program, which runs from June 2024 through July 2025, marks a significant step in fostering industry-academic partnerships aimed at equipping the next generation of engineers with real-world experience. 

Throughout the 13-month internship co-op program two data engineering interns will be integrated into Slate’s software development team and work under the mentorship of senior development managers. They will engage in various aspects of Slate’s technology, including data science, big data interfaces, language model development, and feature build for Slate’s Decisioning Platform. This hands-on experience will allow the interns to tackle real-world software development challenges and contribute to cutting-edge solutions. Additionally, they will receive specialized training and participate in workshops designed to enhance their professional and technical skills. 

Slate noted that the candidates were carefully selected from U of T’s Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering’s top-performing students and were identified for their exceptional technical and analytical abilities. The rigorous selection process involved a thorough review of academic performance, coursework, and prior experience, followed by a series of interviews with Slate’s team members to assess aptitude and skill set overall. 

“We are thrilled to partner with the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering at the University of Toronto to launch this internship co-op program. This initiative not only provides students with invaluable industry experience but also allows us to nurture and potentially onboard the next generation of talented engineers,” says Senthil Kumar, chief technology officer and Head of AI at Slate Technologies. “Our goal is to create a lasting impact on the industry by investing in young talent and fostering innovative research collaborations with one of the leading engineering schools in the world.” 

The new internship co-op program aims to create a long-term partnership between Slate Technologies and the University of Toronto, fostering collaborative research in advanced areas of computational science. Slate says it intends to make the co-op program a permanent fixture, continually providing students with opportunities to gain practical experience and contributing to the future of technological innovation. By integrating young talent into their projects, Slate aims to drive forward their mission of maximizing efficiency and improving outcomes in the construction industry while addressing the current labor shortage.

“For over four decades, the PEY Co-op Program has demonstrated leadership in experiential learning in the field of engineering,” said Roger Francis, Executive Director, Engineering Career and Experiential Learning at U of T Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. “Our collaboration with Slate Technologies marks a significant stride in our commitment to fostering innovation and excellence in engineering education, empowering students to thrive in the fields of technology and engineering.”