What is Cooperative Education?
The Cooperative Education program offers students with the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience with workplaces throughout the Niagara region. These co-op placements occur during the school day in either Semester One or Semester two, and can be half-day sessions (8 a.m. to 11 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) or full-day session (8 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.). Students can also fulfill co-op hours during part-time work after school or during full-time summer employment.
Within the program, co-op teachers work closely with students to help secure placements that align with their interests, offering a chance to explore potential career fields and gain insight into what a career can look like beyond high school. All selected workplaces are vetted by co-op teachers and must meet specific requirements to be eligible for hosting a student. (To see the full list of employer responsibilities, click here). During the placement, students are evaluated by both the workplace supervisor and the co-op teacher to ensure they earn credit for the experience. To learn more about a placement timeline and types of placements available, keep reading!
Types of Placements
Employers may decide where students fit best within their infrastructure and work environment. Co-op placements offer valuable learning opportunities related to workplace, college, apprenticeship, and university pathways. Employers can focus on specific areas and even rotate students through multiple departments. This approach helps students gain a broad understanding of the company as they develop skills and interests.
Centralized Co-op Placement
Larger employers often utilize a Centralized Placement approach wherein they offer a pre-determined number of placements within multiple departments. Niagara Catholic students would submit applications through a school board contact, who submits the best candidates to the employer for interview and placement considerations. This is a great way for students to gain experience working with cross functional teams within a real world setting.
Summer and Night School Placements
During summer and night school cooperative education students organize their own placements opportunities, and are able to use their part-time after school or full-time summer employment towards fulfilling cooperative education SHSM credit requirements.
Employers for summer school and night school cooperative education placements provide WSIB insurance as students are engaged in paid employment within these programs.
Niagara Catholic's Responsibility:
- Pre-employment training: Students receive WHMIS, health and safety training and co-op policy training before their placement (approx. 2 weeks). Student responsibilities related to workplace conduct, daily attendance, OHSA, and professional conduct are established.
- Workplace insurance: WSIB insurance is provided by the Ministry of Education during school-baed placements
- Ongoing training and pathway support: Students attend monthly integration days at school for further training, reflection and pathway exploration.
- Support employer student relationships: co-op teachers are in regular communication with employers to ensure safety and best outcomes including visiting the work site.
- Facilitating Student Safety and Industry Specific Training: Coop teachers support students in working safely by reinforcing the the Right to Know, the Right to Participate in safety, and the Right to Refuse Unsafe Work. Schools also facilitate industry specific training, such as Working at Heights, for students in particular placements.
Student/ Parent Responsibility:
- Paperwork/ permissions: Co-op involves traveling off campus which requires parent approval and signatures
- Attendance: Parental support of daily attendance is very important as co-op credits require a minimum number of hours to complete the program
- Transportation: Transportation to and from co-op placements is a student's responsibility. Student can opt for buses, walking, rides, or driving as appropriate
- Policy and Expectation: Students must follow co-op policy and expectations related to attendance, safety within their work environment, and completion of course work. Student placements can be discontinued by employers if not followed.
Additional Information:
- Adaptive Placements: Tailor placements to fit the safety and experiential needs of secondary students, ensuring a great learning experience for students.
- Apprenticeship Pathway: Consider supporting smooth transitions from high school to a career, with full-day placements leading to training agreements after graduation.
- Insurance: WSIB Insurance is provided by the Ministry of Education for unpaid secondary school cooperative education placements. Employers for summer school and night school cooperative education placements must provide WSIB insurance as students are engaged in paid employment within these programs.
Co-op Placement Timeline for students (Sample):
To learn more about the Cooperative Education program, visit student services.
