Cooperative Education Programs

What is Cooperative Education?

Cooperative Education is a ministry-approved program that allows students to earn secondary school credits while completing a work placement. The program consists of a co-op course monitored by a cooperative education teacher, a related curriculum course in any subject and a work placement.Students can apply two co-op credits towards their compulsory high school graduation requirements, with no limit on earning optional co-op credits. Co-op placements are arranged for students by their secondary school and must follow Ministry of Education policy and guidelines.
Students select cooperative education during course selection. See a Guidance Counsellor for more information.
Cooperative Education Fact Sheet The Ontario Curriculum - Cooperative Education - Grades 11 and 12 - 2018
 
Why Take Cooperative Education?

Co-op students have the opportunity to:

  • Experience hands-on learning
  • "Test-drive" career options.
  • See the relevance of classroom learning.
  • Earn credits through workplace experience.
  • Gain valuable work experience that will help build a résumé for postsecondary programs and future employment.
  • Meet the requirement of a Specialist High Skills Major Program 
 
Information for Students

The purpose of Co-op is to expose students to the reality of the workplace and to explore career opportunities by providing hands-on training in community placements. A Co-operative Education experience enhances self-esteem, promotes personal growth and assists students with decisions regarding postsecondary programs and future job opportunities.

Attendance:
  • student schedules are variable at the present time, with many of our students attending school in a quadmestered model.
  • students in the quadmester schedule work either approximately 9 out of 10 weekdays, for a minimum of 5 hours per day, from 9:00 am to 2:05 pm
  • good attendance is critical at both the school and the placement
  • if absence is unavoidable, students must notify - the school attendance desk,
    the teacher, and the placement, before the scheduled start time.
  • students will be expected to complete the full work term as outlined in the Work Education Agreement
  • persistent lateness or absence could result in loss of work placement and/or credits
Age Requirements

Students Must:

  • be least 14 years of age follow the minimum age restrictions as set out under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) to visit or work in specific types of workplaces
  • be responsible for travel arrangements to and from the placement
  • conduct themselves as employees of the company - if problems arise and persist, employers have the option to terminate students (as a last resort) and students may lose Co-op credits
  • abide by the placement dress code
What Coop Placements Are Available for Students?

Each year, hundreds of senior students participate in a variety of subject-related Co-op experiences. We are actively recruiting potential new placements for our students. We are convinced that this unique business/education collaboration enables our students to make more satisfying, informed and realistic career decisions.

 

 

Information for Employers

The purpose of Co-op is to expose students to the reality of the workplace and to explore career opportunities by providing hands-on training in community placements. A co-operative education experience enhances self-esteem, promotes personal growth and assists students with decisions regarding post-secondary programs and future job opportunities.

Employers:
  • designate one or more employees to be responsible for supervising and evaluating student
    meet and work with the teacher to complete or review the Placement Assessment Checklist and the Student Cooperative Education Learning Plan
  • provide job specific and appropriate orientation and all necessary health and safety training
  • provide an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment
  • complete 2 or 3 job performance appraisals for the students

Workplace Safety Insurance Board

Students are covered by Workplace Safety and Insurance Board for the agreed Co-op hours at the placement. WSIB coverage outside the agreed hours, or in the case of the employer paying wages to the student, is the employer's responsibility.

If placement hours vary, an adjustment to hours form must be completed
students should not be required to drive vehicles as part of their Co-op program (if a company requests that a student operate a company vehicle/s, the company assumes responsibility for insurance coverage)

The Board's insurance policy covers liability to employer property in the event of accidental student actions

Information About Students
  • Co-op students are at least 14 years of age
  • students and employers MUST follow the minimum age restrictions as set out under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) to visit or work in specific types of workplaces
    travel arrangements to and from the placement are the responsibility of students
  • at the placement, students are expected to conduct themselves as employees of the company - if problems arise and persist, employers have the option to terminate students (as a last resort) and students may lose Co-op credits
  • Students are made aware of their basic rights as workers, including:
    • The right to know about workplace hazards and necessary control measures;
    • The right to participate in solutions to workplace hazards,
    • The right to refuse unsafe work.
    • students are expected to abide by the placement dress code
Cooperative Education
  • requires a personalized placement learning plan
  • involves the earning of credits
  • requires pre-placement orientation
  • is monitored by the cooperative education teacher
  • integrates classroom and workplace learning
  • involves reflective learning
  • involves student assessment

Contact

For any questions, concerns or employment opportunities, please email the Wellington CDSB Pathways Office at [email protected] or call us at 519-836-2170, ext 103514 for more information.