What is Cooperative Education (Co-op)?
Co-op is educational programming that integrates classroom theory with practical experience in the workplace. Programming is based on a partnership between the school and a business or community organization. It involves the participation of students, teachers and the workplace (placement supervisors). It is a credit-earning program. Co-op is the same as any other curriculum course: it is taken for a semester/full year; for 1 period, 2 periods (half day); or 4 periods (full day); it has curriculum expectations; work is assessed by the Co-op teacher and the placement supervisor and it meets the requirements for an OSSD and/or SHSM diploma.
How does it work?
You select Co-op as part of the regular course selection process. You will then be invited to a pre-placement interview by the teacher to determine program readiness and placement choice. Co-op credits are either linked to a related curriculum course that you have already taken or will be taking concurrently or can be an individual course .
Your Co-op teacher is your monitoring teacher and will work with the placement supervisor and your subject-related teacher to develop a Cooperative Education Learning Plan (CELP) that is designed to complement your strengths, interests, and needs, thus enhancing your preparation for the future.
Your placement supervisor will guide your learning through appropriate training and supervision and will provide formative evaluation of your work performance.
What are the benefits?
Co-op provides you with an opportunity to:
develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes through hands-on experience;
explore a career in order to make informed educational and career decisions;
develop maturity and self-confidence;
strengthen employability skills;
gain valuable work experience;
develop networking opportunities;
earn credits towards your OSSD;
complete the program requirements of the Specialist High Skills Major;
participate in specialized programs such as OYAP, HPA, ICE;
"step-up" for entry into post-secondary institutions.
Cooperative Education programming is the foundation to the following specialized programs
High Performance Athlete Program
Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)
Dual Credit Accelerated OYAP Program
Specialist High Skills Major Program (SHSM)
Who do I contact for more information about Cooperative Education programs?
Co-op Office: Room 218
Heather Patterson
(Dept. Head) |
316 |
heather.patterson@yrdsb.ca |
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| Tammie Waller |
158 |
tammie.waller@yrdsb.ca |
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