Cooperative Education

Student Success is about meeting the individual learning needs of each and every student. Schools are providing students with more opportunities to customize their high school experience and build on their strengths and interests through a variety of new and enhanced learning options.

 Cooperative Education credits may be used to meet up to two of the 18 compulsory credit requirements for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Students must also earn 12 optional credits for the OSSD. There is no limit on the number of optional credits that may be earned through Cooperative Education courses.

Cooperative Education (Co-op) is a program that allows Grade 11 and 12 students to earn credits upon completion of a work placement in the community. The in-school portion and the work placement allow students to gain valuable learning experiences that help prepare them for post-secondary life, at College or University, Apprenticeship training or direct entry to the workplace. Co-op placements are arranged by Co-op teachers and follow Ministry of Education policies.

Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)  http://www.highskills.ca/

 Cooperative Education is a required component for all Specialist High Skill Majors. Be sure to select a Co-op option when choosing your courses if you are planning on completing a SHSM upon graduation.

Co-op gives students the opportunity to:

• “try out” a career of interest;
• gain valuable work experience to help build their resume;
• develop Essential Skills and work habits;
• experience authentic learning outside a traditional classroom setting;
• meet the requirements for a Specialist High Skills Major
• Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) 

An OYAP student is a Grade 11 or 12 Co-op student who is working in an apprenticeship trade in one of the four sectors (e.g., Construction, Industrial, Motive Power and Service).

Concentrated OYAP and OYAP Dual Credit programs are specialized programs for students who have career plans to become an apprentice in a skilled trade. These programs offer senior secondary students an exciting opportunity to gain experience and skills towards apprenticeship qualifications, while still in high school.

For additional information on these programs, contact your school Guidance Counselor or Co-op Teacher.

Application Procedure for Cooperative Education:

• choose the Co-op program of interest;
• register your selection in myBlueprint
• request and complete the required forms: Co-op Application, Parent-Student Information Contract & Student Readiness Forms;
• students will be contacted by a Co-op teacher to undergo a mandatory structured interview;
• depending on your placement request, you may need to fulfill additional requirements such as: health test(s), criminal reference check, specialized application package and/or screening.

Note: students are responsible for placement costs (e.g., transportation).

Note: access to a Cooperative Education program is based on student readiness and program availability.

 For more information, please refer to https://el.wcdsb.ca/  or go to your Co-op or Guidance office.