College Heights Cooperative Education

The staff in our department strive to make Cooperative Education engaging and relevant. We make connections between your academic courses and the world of work. A variety of instructional methods are used to assist students in achieving their individual learning and career goals.

Cooperative Education Programs provide all students with a series of unique opportunities to learn about the world of work, explore potential careers, and gain valuable work experience. These planned learning experiences assist all students, whether bound for college, apprenticeship, university or the workplace, in making informed career decisions, and in developing the knowledge, skills and attitudes that are essential in today’s society.

 What is Co-operative Education? 

Co-operative Education is a program that allows senior students to extend classroom learning into supervised placements in the community. Students can earn a minimum of 2 credits which are linked to specific in-school subjects.

How Will Co-op Benefit You? 

Co-op will enable you to:

• explore future career possibilities
• understand employer expectations in real job situations
• develop a positive self-image
• obtain work experience often required by college and university programs
• apply and expand classroom knowledge
• work with state-of-the-art equipment and technology
• benefit from the expertise of people in your community
• develop employability skills necessary for success in the workplace

How Does Co-op Work?

• The program combines a full semester, half-day work placement in the community with a school-based classroom component. Full day placements are also available
• A 2 to 3 week classroom component helps students prepare for work through health and safety training, self-assessment exercises, and lessons on such topics as resume and interview skills, confidentiality, and employer expectations
• Students must successfully complete an interview with a community employer prior to placement; competitive interviews may be conducted; students are not guaranteed a specific placement
• students return to the classroom on a regular basis to share experiences, develop further skills and present assignments
• the placement component generally consists of 4 or 5 mornings or afternoons at a community worksite
• the Co-op teacher monitors the work of the student at the placement
• regular job performance appraisals are completed by the employer, in conjunction with the teacher
• students are not paid while on the job during regular school time but earn credits for their work term
• transportation to and from the placement is the responsibility of the student
• Personalized Placement Learning Plans (PPLP) are developed for each student to ensure that a meaningful experience takes place
• Students are not required to go to their work placements during school holidays or exams.
• Accident & liability insurance is carried by the Board of Education on the same basis as in-school programs
• All Co-op students are covered by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board through the Ministry of Education during the period they are doing Co-op; the employer is responsible for this coverage when the students work beyond the agreed Co-op hours
• Students are encouraged to spend a minimum of 2.5 hours per day on the job for a half-day 2 credit program

How do you apply?

The course selection procedure requires that the student do the following:

• Complete a course option sheet indicating an interest in Co-op
• Obtain, complete and return the Co-operative Education Application Form to the Co-op teacher
• Participate in a structured interview with the Co-op teacher following course selection. Students will be notified of their acceptance (or conditional acceptance)
• Complete health tests and Criminal Reference Checks are required if interested in working with preschool children or the elderly

 How are Students Selected for Co-op? 

• Age 16 with 16 credits
• Maturity and a positive attitude
• Good attendance record
• Willingness to learn
• Appropriate educational background for the type of placement requested
• Adherence to policies and procedures of the school and the placement