What is Cooperative Education

What is Cooperative Education?

Cooperative Education is a planned learning experience, for which credits are earned, that integrates classroom theory and learning experiences at a workplace to enable students to apply and refine the knowledge and skills acquired in a related course.

Students are generally out in a workplace of a half day (morning or afternoon) for a whole semester (The first semester is from September to January and the second semester is from February to June). The tasks that are performed at the work site relate to a course that is either being taken presently or in a previous semester.

Who is involved?

Cooperative Education is a partnership among education and business that involves students, teachers, parents and employers.

Why take Cooperative Education?

To learn how to look for and write a resume, prepare for an interview, etc.
To receive on-the-job training in a related subject area
To expand on the skills studied at school in a practical way and use equipment that me not be available in a secondary school
To develop the attitude and skills necessary to work successfully
To identify capabilities, limitations, strengths and future career direction
To become more aware of the demands and responsibilities of employment
To participate in an alternative method of earning credits
To earn hours toward an apprenticeship

How do students get into the program?

Check off coop on the option sheet that is filled out in February for the next school year
Complete the Cooperative Education Application form that is available from the Cooperative Education or Student Services office in the secondary school
The co-op teacher will interview the student to discuss the program and determine if a suitable placement can be found that meets the student’s academic and career goals.

How are credits earned?

Students are at a work site for a specific number of hours for the duration of the semester. Cooperative Education teachers and Principals grant credits based on the number of hours worked. Students must also complete specific assignments and submit log sheets to the teacher on a regular basis.

Where can students be placed?

The Cooperative Education teacher will interview the student to find a placement that meets the student’s needs and career goal. The placement must also relate to a subject that is currently being taken or has been taken in previous years.