Co-operative Education Programs
Cooperative Education is a unique learning opportunity that extends classroom learning into business, industry and the community. The opportunity to experience the workplace helps students explore career options and gather information they need to make informed decisions about their post secondary destinations. Students also develop the work habits, attitudes and job skills necessary for a successful transition from secondary school to the workplace or post secondary education.
Ways to Expand your education through Coop
Experiential Learning
Experiential Learning is a valuable component to the students’ career exploration and experiences. There are many different types and length of time of experiential learning.
Job Twinning allows a student to spend ½ a day up to three days observing a worker at a place of employment. Job Shadowing allows a student to spend ½ to one day observing a Cooperative Education student at his/her placement. Work Experience allows a student to gain work experience from 1-4 weeks.
School Work Pathway
Students who will move from secondary school directly to the workplace, have a wide variety of courses to choose from at the senior level. Co-operative education experiences are strongly encouraged so that students will have the opportunity to explore the workplace to determine the career direction they would like to pursue. Co-operative education will also give students the opportunity to develop the employability skills that are so necessary in today's workplace.
Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)
OYAP is a planned School -to - Career program that enables students to meet secondary school diploma requirements while participating in a skilled trade that requires apprenticeship leading to a Certificate of Apprenticeship and Journey Person status. Students have the opportunity to explore and work in a skilled occupation starting in Gr. 11 or Gr. 12 through the Cooperative Education program. The student's Personalized Placement Learning Plan (PPLP) must be based on the training requirements outlined in the government approved training standards for the trade.
Ways to Expand your education through OYAP.
A student participating in OYAP must:
Be sixteen years of age or older
Complete sixteen credits towards OSSD prior to starting the program
Be enrolled as a full time student during the program
Demonstrate commitment, good work habits, regular attendance record and competency in English, Math and Science where applicable
Choose appropriate in-school course linked to his/her skilled apprenticeship occupation
Explore his/her choice of apprenticeship in Gr. 11 or Gr. 12 through Technological Studies, Academic subjects and Cooperative Education programs