Cooperative Education is a unique program for
students, integrating academic study with practical experience in business and
industry. This learning experience helps students make informed decisions about
future work, careers and education. Students develop the work habits, attitudes
and job skills necessary for a successful transition from school to the
workplace or other post-secondary destinations.
What is Cooperative
Education?
• Cooperative
Education is a program that allows students to earn secondary school credits
while completing a work placement in the community.
• A
student’s co-op program consists of the cooperative education course, which is
monitored by a cooperative education teacher, and the related experience at the
co-op placement.
• The
cooperative education course consists of a classroom component and a placement
component. The classroom component includes 15 to 20 hours of pre-placement
instruction per credit, which prepares students for the workplace and includes
instruction in areas of key importance such as health and safety, resume
writing, career exploration and “In-class” sessions held at various times
during and after the placement, which provide opportunities for students to
reflect on and reinforce their learning in the workplace.
• Cooperative
education allows students to participate in valuable learning experiences that
help prepare them for the next stage of their lives, whether in apprenticeship
training, college, community living, university, or the workplace.
• Co-op
placements are arranged for the students by their coop teacher and must follow
Ministry of Education policy and guidelines.
How Does Cooperative
Education Work?
A company agrees to provide a placement for a
student and designates an employee to supervise the learning. A scheduled
interview determines the student’s acceptance. Learning opportunities at the
placement are linked with a student’s academic studies, education plan, and
personal goals. The teacher monitors regularly to assess student progress, with
supervisor’s input and to promote successful student learning. Credit(s) are
awarded upon successful completion of program expectations.
Placement Component: Monday to Friday
|
4 Credit Co-op
|
3 Credit Co-op
|
2 Credit Co-op
|
|
6 hours per day
|
4.5 hours per day
|
3 hours per day
|
Responsibilities in
Cooperative Education
|
Student
|
Supervisor
|
Teacher
|
|
·
work safely and diligently
• attend workplace as agreed
• complete assignments required by teacher and supervisor
|
·
interview and accept appropriate student
·
provide real work experience in a safe learning environment free from
discrimination and harassment
·
ensure Health and Safety training
·
give clear instructions and supervise learning experiences
·
share expertise with student
·
assist in performance assessment
|
• select and prepare student for co-op
placement
• match student with appropriate placement by
interests/capabilities
• complete Placement Assessment Guideline
• support supervisor and student throughout
the program
• integrate workplace experience with
curriculum expectations
• monitor student learning
• evaluate student performance
• assign final grade
|
Registering For Co-op:
1. Students
select 2, 3 or 4 credit co-op using the course selection process on My
Blueprint. Please be sure you’ve consulted with parents and staff before
selecting co-op. Due to timetabling restrictions if you choose to withdraw from
the program after selecting co-op for next year, we cannot guarantee placement
into alternate course requests.
2. Once
co-op has been selected on My Blueprint, students must also complete a
Co-operative Education Application Form, available in the co-op office and the
guidance office. This form must be returned to the co-op office by March
6, 2014.
3. The
co-op department will then review the applications and meet with students to
finalize plans.
4. To
apply for the Accelerated OYAP Program next year, please note that it is only
offered during Semester Two. You must have 26 credits by the end of
semester one next year to participate in this program. Please see a co-op teacher for more
information.