Co-operative Education allows students to earn high school credits while working at a business in the community.

The Co-op teacher and the placement supervisor share in the tasks of supervising the student and guiding their learning.

 

Co-operative Education courses allow students to explore careers, learn about their interests, and develop important employability skills which can lead them to make informed choices about their destination after high school.

 

 

 

 

 

 

To learn more about Co-op, visit the following pages: 

• Program Details
• Special Programs
• Information for Parents
• Information for Employers
• How to Apply
• Contact the Co-op Department
• Outside Resources

Program Details

The Co-operative Education program consists of three components.

The first is the Pre-Course Counselling and Interviewing. 

This is part of the application process but is also the stage at which thinking about an appropriate placement for the student starts.  For most students this takes place before the beginning of the semester.

The second is the Classroom Component which has two parts: 

The first part of this component is 7 days of Pre-placement Orientation which happens before the students go out to placement.  Topics covered in this period are:

• review and application of workplace preparation topics from the Careers course,
• the school and placement expectations that they are to achieve in the cooperative education course
• issues relating to confidentiality and the right to privacy, as outlined in the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
• work ethics and the responsible use of information technology
• the individual’s right to function in a climate free from abuse and harassment
• relevant sections of the Employment Standards Act and the Human Rights Act
• the history and role of labour unions
• appropriate methods of dealing with and reporting concerns or problems at the placement
• comprehensive instruction about the Health and Safety Act, proper Health and Safety worpkplace practices and the role of the WSIB.

The second part is a series of Integration days which take place at the school about once every three weeks during the semester.  During these classes, students will:

• relate the placement experience both to the curriculum expectations of the related course and to the expectations related to cooperative education, using a variety of strategies, activities, and tools;
• reflect on and analyse their placement experiences;
• reinforce the job-skills theory acquired in the classroom and the skills, techniques, and principles learned at the placement;
• demonstrate the ability to access related career information;
• demonstrate an understanding of labour market trends and of the nature of the workplace in the future;
• demonstrate an understanding of the changing role of men and women at work;
• demonstrate an understanding of issues relating to human rights, discrimination, harassment, and disability;
• demonstrate the ability to produce an effective exit résumé.

A schedule of pre-placement and integration days is here .

The third is the Placement Component.

In conjunction with the student, an appropriate placement is found.  This process involves an assessment of the placement by the co-op teacher to determine suitability, and an interview of the student by the employer (placement supervisor).  After the successful completion of those two steps, the student can start to attend the placement.  The placement supervisor and school staff then collaboratively produce the Personalized Placement Learning Plan (PPLP) which identifies the learning opportunities and evaluation scheme for the student at the placement.  Throughout the semester, the Co-op teacher and the placement supervisor monitor and evaluate the student's progress.

Other details.

The Board does not provide transportation to placements - this is the responsibility of the student.

Students must attend 110 hours (a combination of classroom and placement attendance) for each credit.

The Co-op course mark is a combination of teacher (classroom and placement components) and placement supervisor (placement component) evaluations.

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Special Programs

The Co-op Department partners with other departments in Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programs which comprise packages of course work, industry specific certifications and co-op work experience.

The Co-op Department partners with local Colleges in Dual Credit programs which offer a combination of co-op work experience and college classes which count as both high school and college credits.

The Co-op Department partners with the Modern Languages Department to offer French Immersion Co-op which counts towards the French immersion Certificate.  Students work in a French Immersion environment (usually an elementary classroom) and complete assignments in French.

Co-op students can access the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) which allows students to start accumulating Apprenticeship credits while earning high school co-op credits.

Contact the Guidance Department (905.852.2854) or a Co-op teacher for more information about these programs.

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Information for Parents

 

Co-operative Education has been shown to have benefits for students of all backgrounds and abilities.  Some of the identified benefits are

• the placement allows the students to explore a possible career while earning high school credits;
• the placement allows the student to learn OUTSIDE of school in an atmosphere very different from most classrooms;
• most placements have less emphasis on ‘book’ learning and more on learning by DOING which many students find refreshing;
• success in placement duties can increase self-esteem;
• interest in a career can spark increased interest in school;
• oppurtunities for independant work and leadership roles in small teams at placement can improve leadership skills.

Students in morning or full day placements miss the daily home room activities and announcements at school.  Co-op teachers ensure that important information is made available to those students at Integration Days, during placement monitoring meetings and with phone calls home.

 

FAQs for Parents

1. Does the student get paid?

Co-op students earn high school credits, but do not get paid. Some employers choose to provide a modest honorarium to assist students with work related expenses, however, this is not common and is not expected.

2. Can the student be hired by the employer?

The aim of Co-op is to earn credits while obtaining experience in the workplace. Many employers are not in the position to hire students and some employers leave a space open to accept co-op students on a regular basis. If a position does become available, students may accept the opportunity if it does not interfere with the Work Education Agreement which clearly identifies designated co-op hours. Therefore, the student can only be hired outside of Co-op hours and they should then be insured by the company during paid employment hours.

3. How does the student get to and from the placement?

Transportation to and from the placement is the responsibility of the student.

4. Can Co-op hours be used as Community Involvement Hours?

Co-op and Community Involvement are not the same. Through Co-op, students benefit by gaining personal work experience. Community Involvement hours, on the other hand, involve volunteer opportunities where the community benefits. Students cannot count Co-op hours toward their Community Involvement diploma requirement.

5. Are students insured?

A Work Education Agreement (WEA) is completed for each student and is signed by the student, co-op teacher, employer, and parent (if the student is under 18 years of age). Through the WEA, students are covered by WSIB (Workplace Safety Insurance Board) while at their placements. Please note that students who are placed at an elementary school, with a certified teacher, are not covered through WSIB, but are instead covered by OSBIE. In addition, parents or students 18 or older may consider purchasing their own insurance.

6. What if the student doesn't like his or her placement?

Prior to attending the placements, all students are interviewed by the co-op teacher in order to match students to placements. In addition, students attend approximately two weeks of pre-placement classes in order to prepare for this endeavour. Students who positively participate, communicate with co-workers, demonstrate on-going initiative and enthusiasm will be most successful in this partnership experience. When students sign the Work Education Agreement, they are making a commitment to this placement. It is very rare for students to be relocated. The co-op teacher will assist wherever possible to maximize learning and personal growth.

7. What if a student isn't fitting in with the placement?

If the student is not adjusting well to placement expectations, the employer has the right to dismiss the student. The aim is to give students a realistic work experience and help them understand what it takes to get and keep a job. The Co-operative Education program is giving students an opportunity to learn and grow while trying to meet realistic employment opportunities as experienced by all new employees. The Co-op teacher, and possibly the principal, will continue to work with this student. If the student is unwilling or unable to change his or her focus or behaviour, credits may be in jeopardy. If the student is able to make meaningful adjustments, a new placement may be found if time and circumstances permit.

8. What is expected from employers?

Employers are expected to provide a realistic view of workplace expectations and offer guidance for educational growth. Workplace employees will demonstrate the attitudes and skills required of a successful and responsible employee in a safe and healthy environment. Employers will sign Ministry documents, complete Performance Appraisals, offer a learning environment which includes job-specific health and safety training, and work in partnership with the co-op teacher to outline work expectations.

9. Who ensures student safety?

The Co-op teacher is expected to provide general safety awareness training during pre-employment sessions. The employer should provide specific safety orientation and ongoing training. Students have the responsibility to wear safety gear at all times, follow workplace guidelines and practices, and report any injuries or hazards.

10. What happens during a work stoppage, strike, lockout, company layoff, or shutdown, etc.?

In the event of any of the above, students and/or employers will inform the Co-op teacher. The Co-op teacher will assign alternate work for the students to ensure completion of hours. If the work stoppage is lengthly, the Co-op teacher may have to find an alternate placement. 

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Information for Employers

Contact the Co-op Department

Teacher	905.852.3391
Adam Cooper	x 323	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Karen Gillespie	x 369	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Cindy Higgins	x 369	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tish MacDonald	x 323	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Chris McKee	x 369	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  

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Outside Resources

Ontario Ministry of Education

 Policy document for Co-operative Education

 Student Success initiative

 

Labour Market Information

Working in Canada

Tradeability

Ontario Skills Passport

Health and Safety

Ministry of Labour Health and Safety

WSIB Young Worker Awareness

Rights and Responsibilities

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Employment Standards Act

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