Camosun College Mechanical Engineering Technology student Makayla Silvey has been recognized locally, provincially and nationally for her outstanding co-op achievements.
Makayla Silvey, second-year Mechanical Engineering Technology student
Makayla has been named the overall 2025 Yvonne Thompson Page Co-op Student of the Year at the college. This top award recognizes a student at Camosun College who has demonstrated exceptional achievements.
Makayla also received the Association for Co-operative Education Work-Integrated Learning BC/Yukon (ACE-WIL) Student of the Year Award (Co-op - Colleges) and the Emery-Dufault Student of the Year Award from Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada. She was selected out of hundreds of students across the province and country.
Makayla earned the recognition for her co-op work term with the Canadian Navy in Esquimalt, where she worked in Marine Systems Engineering at the Fleet Maintenance Facility. During the placement, she helped support engineering operations, while gaining hands-on experience in naval marine systems.
"We're incredibly proud of Makayla's success," says Ross Lyle, Program Chair, Mechanical Engineering. "Her dedication to both her studies here at Camosun and her Co-op placement with the Canadian Navy, working in Marine Systems Engineering at the Fleet Maintenance Facility have been inspiring."
Makayla developed her co-op role with the Department of National Defense (DND) and distinguished herself through her technical contributions, thoughtful reflections on the learning experience, and her enthusiasm for promoting co-op education among other students.
Despite initial doubts about entering a traditionally male-dominated profession, Makayla embraced hands-on education and used her co-op experience to build confidence in her career path.
"I know I belong in this profession but, before coming to Camosun and before my co-op experience, I had doubts," says Makayla. "The amazing community at Camosun and at my co-op solidified that I do belong in a mechanical engineering environment. I now feel confident that I can contribute to a team of engineers and engineering technologists!"
Her supervisor, John Britto Daniel Paulraj, praised her drive and rapid growth: "Makayla quickly got up to speed and now independently prepares repair specifications and technical reports. She's built great relationships with the team, demonstrated a strong initiative, and is a pleasure to work with."
Work-integrated learning (WIL) connects students' academic studies with real-world workplace experience through placements such as co-op terms, internships and applied projects.
"Makayla's recognition at the provincial and national level speaks to her hard work, curiosity, and commitment to hands-on learning," says Dr. Lane Trotter, president of Camosun College. "Co-op experiences allow students to apply their knowledge, and Makayla's success is an amazing example of the impact work-integrated learning can have on students and their careers. Congratulations to all of the winners in each of the program areas."
Makayla is currently in her second year of Mechanical Engineering Technology at Camosun and plans to return to work at the Fleet Maintenance Facility after graduation. Read Makayla's Path: from struggles to strength in Engineering and identity
Makayla Silvey, during her Co-op placement at the Canadian Navy base in Esquimalt.
Other Yvonne Thompson Page Co-op/WIL Students of the Year in their programs include:
- Enrique Herrera, Business
- Yennefer Wilde, Hospitality Management
- Brandon Green, Sports Management (Internship)
- Alexis Van Den Bulk, Kinesiology
About the Yvonne Thompson Page Co-op Student of the Year Award
The Yvonne Thompson Page Co-op/WIL Student of the Year Award recognizes outstanding students who have demonstrated exceptional achievements, contributions, and growth during their co-op work terms. Named in honour of Yvonne Thompson Page, a pioneering advocate for co-op education, the award celebrates students who embody the spirit of experiential learning and excellence in their chosen fields.
