CO-OP
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
- the school attendance desk,
- 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
Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)
- for students 15 years of age and older who have already earned 14 credits towards the OSSD
- involves the earning of cooperative education credits
- requires documentation by the student and trainer regarding trade specific competencies acquired
- may involve the student's registration in an apprenticeship
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.
