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Networking Academy Program

Co-operative Education

Co-operative Education is unique program for students, integrating academic study with practical experience in business and industry. This learning experience helps students make informed decisions about future careers. 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.

Benefits

Responsibilities

Important Information

Get Involved

How does it work?



A company agrees to provide a placement for a suitable student and designates an employee to supervise her/his learning. A scheduled interview determines the student’s acceptance.

Work schedules vary: half, full, consecutive, alternate days, summer. Learning opportunities at the placement are linked with student’s academic studies, education plan, personal goals and abilities through the Individualized Learning Plan developed by the teacher with the supervisor and the student.

The teacher monitors regularly to assess student progress with supervisor’s input. Credits are awarded upon successful completion of the program.

Who Takes Co-op?



Co-operative Education students are typically in the senior grades, have a variety of post secondary destinations: colleges, university, work, and may be studying in any subject area:

  • The Arts
  • Business Studies
  • Canadian and World Studies
  • Classical, International and Native Languages
  • English
  • French as a Second Language
  • Guidance and Career Education
  • Healthy Active Living Education
  • Mathematics
  • Native Studies
  • Science
  • Social Science
  • Technological Education

Co-operative Education is also available for high risk and special needs students through alternative programs.

Benefits



Training Organizations:

  • training and evaluating potential employees
  • developing supervisory skills in employees
  • involvement in employment education
  • promoting positive attitudes toward the organization
  • increasing student awareness of community values and interests
  • promoting awareness of job opportunities
  • helping reduce youth unemployment
  • rendering vital public service

School:

  • developing relationships with business, industry and community organizations
  • keeping teachers in tune with current workplace practices
  • utilizing community resources
  • integrating practical workplace experience, attitudes, and expectations with curriculum

Student:

  • exploring tentative career choices
  • increasing awareness of workplace demands/needs
  • developing transferable skills
  • applying classroom theory to workplace experience
  • earning credits for secondary school diploma
  • building a network for future employment
  • making a smoother school-to-work transition
  • enhancing acceptance possibilities to post-secondary or training programs

Responsibilities



Teacher:

  • selecting and preparing student for work experience
  • matching student with appropriate placement by interests/capabilities
  • supporting supervisor and student throughout the program
  • developing student learning expectations with supervisor
  • integrating workplace experience and expectations with curriculum
  • monitoring student learning
  • evaluating student performance
  • assigning final mark

Supervisor:

  • interviewing and accepting appropriate student
  • providing real work experience in a safe learning environment
  • working with teacher to develop learning expectation/work schedule
  • giving clear instructions and supervising learning experiences
  • sharing expertise with student
  • assisting in performance assessment

Student:

  • working safely and diligently
  • achieving maximum learning
  • attending workplace as agreed
  • completing assignments required by teacher and supervisor

Important Information



Insurance

Students are covered by Board insurance for general accidents and personal liability, and by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board through the Ministry of Education.

Safety

Safety instruction is the joint responsibility of the school and the placement. The host company is expected to provide a safe working environment for the student.

Remuneration

Students are earning credits for work experience related to school curriculum. It is not expected that students be paid for assigned placement time, though a nominal honorarium is acceptable.

Monitoring

The supervisor can expect full support and assistance as the teacher monitors throughout the training period. The goal of Co-op is to ensure a mutually beneficial partnership among the training supervisor, the teacher and the student.

Get Involved



Contact your local secondary school or Co-operative Education Toronto District School Board at 416-397-3000.

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