Co-operative Education A Program Overview:

Each semester students who are interested in gaining valuable workplace experience enrol either in Work Experience (non-credit) or Co-operative Education (credit) courses. While these two courses remain separate (for credit/documentation purposes) they both exist within the Co-operative Education program. The majority of the policies, schedules, selected class work all fall under the Co-operative Education program and are generally referred to as "co-op." 

The needs of our students are different from those in a Public School Board program. Since we are a residential school, the majority of our students live in the residence facility or are bussed in daily from their home boards. Because of this,we are responsible for transporting students to and from their placements. We must find local placements (in and around Milton) to serve students registered in either Work Experience or Co-operative Education courses. 

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) is an apprenticeship opportunity sponsored by the Ontario government and open to qualified students who show a great deal of skill, interest or aptitude in a particular field. Apprenticeship training is more specific and goes beyond that which you can experience during a semester of high school. Ask your teacher for more details.

1. Work Experience: 

The focus of a Work Experience course is exposing the student to the world of work. The student is in class completing similar paper work, however the extent and depth of the number of assignments is limited. Students do not follow the course expectations as outlined by the Ontario Curriculum and therefore have a course content which suits their particualr needs (according to his/her Individual Education Plan or IEP). Students follow the same schedule as a Co-operative Education student while learning valuable work-related skills. The work placement and class assignments are modified according to the student's needs. Work experience courses are generally open to students in grades 11-12. This is a non-credit course.

1. Co-operative Education:

The focus of Co-operative Education course is to obtain a specificwork experience related to the student's post graduate aspirations. Typically, the student has course experience (& credits) relevant to their desired professional/trade goals. For example, if a student wishes to be an accountant, than he/she would have Math, Business, and Civics (or Law) courses completed (or being taken concurrently) as the Co-op course. If a student wishes to become a mechanic (or other trade) than he/she should have 1 or 2 credits of Auto Shop (or other trade credits) and be working to complete his/her 2nd or 3rd credit. Co-operative Education is a credit course since it follows the Ontario Curriculum.

Student who wish to be given a credit as a Co-operative Education student may have completed (or are in the process of completing) core requisite courses (such as Math, English, Science, or a particular technology). Students should discuss with their school counselor what type of pre-requisite courses they need to be eligible for a Co-op credit.

The majority of our students are in Grade 11 and 12 and are 17 to 21 years of age. The work placements are normally scheduled during school hours between 9 AM and 3:20 PM. Morning Coop students normally leave the school at 8:45 a.m. and return at 11:30 or at a time that is agreed upon. Afternoon Co-op students normally leave the school at 12:15 PM and return to school by 3:10 PM.

All Co-op and Work Experience students must have two weeks of pre-placement orientation in which they gain an awareness of topics such as Workplace Health and Safety, Employment Standards, WHMIS, appropriate workplace behaviours, workplace ethics and confidentiality as well as other topics in order to prepare them to enter into a work placement. See List of Course Materials for details.

• Insurance at the Work placement:

To ensure Workplace Safety and Insurance Board coverage for students at the placement, a Ministry of Education Work Education Agreement (WEA) form must be completed and signed by all parties prior to the placement. The school is responsible for WSIB coverage while a student is on his/her work placement. The employer is responsible for site specific safety training. Students will not be allowed to start at their placement until the WEA is completed. 

• Placement Assessment: 

A Placement Assessment must be completed by the Co-op teacher prior to the start of the placement. This is done to ensure that the facility is a suitable environment for student learning and provides a range of experiences for the student.

• Personalized Placement Learning Plan (PPLP):

In cooperation with the employer supervisor, a Personalized Placement Learning Plan (PPLP) will be prepared. The PPLP outlines the course of study for the placement component and the basis for assessment and evaluation and granting of one or more credits in the specific subject. The PPLP is usually prepared within the first three weeks of the placement. We will also do a minimum of three site visits and provide three employer evaluations to complete.

1. Application to be admitted into the Cooperative Education program:

Students must have a certain level of maturity, positive attitude and discipline to successfully complete the work in the Cooperative Education program. Students interested in being accepted into the Coop program must prove they are responsible, focussed, and job ready. It is up to them to prove they are an ideal candidate. Students must apply for and pass a pre-course interview in order to be selected and admitted into the Cooperative Education program.

• Pre-Course Interview:

The purpose of this initial interview with the student applicant is to ensure that:

• the student is ready to undertake learning in the workplace, and is taking, will be taking, or has taken courses that are related to the proposed cooperative education placement . Where a student's readiness or commitment is not sufficiently evident, his/her acceptance into the cooperative education program may be postponed until the requirements are met;
• barriers to success in the workplace are identified and appropriate supports can be put in place (eg: assistive devices, job coaches, etc);
• there is a placement that is appropriate to the student's goals or interests.

1. STUDENT REFEREES or References:

Students will need 2-3 referees for their job placements. Referees are typically teachers who will vouch (testify, verify) that a student has the maturity, responsibility, and self discipline to take on work experience at the proposed placement in question. Referees are also referred to as "references" in the real working world, and they can also be a former boss, or unrelated professional who will verify your work habits and/or skills.

• Assessment and Evaluation:

A qualified teacher must assess and evaluate a student's progress in achieving the curriculum expectations and in meeting the requirements identified in the student's PPLP through regular workplace monitoring/meetings (minimum of 3 per credit). During workplace monitoring the teacher will:

• observe student performance of workplace tasks, plan next steps, and trouble-shoot problems situations;
• conduct formal evaluations with the student's supervisor;

Student achievement is also assessed through:

• written assignments, seminar presentations, DAILY LOGS, reflective journals, and career portfolios;
• a culminating independent study activity that links the student's cooperative education placement experience with the curriculum expectations of the related course.
• a minimum of two performance appraisals written by placement supervisor(s)