cooperative-education
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Co-operative Education is a unique learning opportunity that extends classroom theory and learning into practical experience in business, industry and the community. It consists of a classroom component and a workplace component and may be planned as a single or multiple credit program.
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 (Workplace, Apprenticeship, College or University). Students also develop essential skills, work habits, attitudes and job skills necessary for a successful transition from secondary school to the workplace or post-secondary education.
Why take Co-op?
Co-operative Education gives students the opportunity to:
- Make connections between school and work and to "try out" a career of interest before finalizing plans for postsecondary education, training or employment;
- See the relevance of their classroom learning in a work setting;
- Develop the essential skills and work habits required in the workplace and acquire a direct understanding of employer and workplace expectations;
- Gain valuable work experience to help build their resume for postsecondary programs and future employment;
- Experience authentic and purposeful learning outside a traditional classroom setting;
- Develop maturity and self-confidence.
How does Cooperative Education help students meet diploma requirements?
- Co-operative Education credits may be used to meet up to two of the 18 compulsory credit requirements for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).
- There is no limit to the number of optional credits that may be earned through cooperative education courses.
- Under the ministry-approved framework for the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) designation within the OSSD, students must earn a minimum of two co-operative education credits as one of the five required components of SHSM.
- Co-operative education credits are a required component of other specialized programs, such as school-to-work and school-to-apprenticeship, Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP).
How does a student apply to the Co-op Program?
Students choose to take Co-operative Education during course selection and also complete and submit a Co-operative Education Application Form. Students must be interviewed for the program which is conducted by the co-operative education teacher in consultation with subject teachers, guidance counsellors and administrators.
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