Cooperative Education
Cooperative Education (Co-op) is a learning partnership program that provides students with valuable work experience in the community while they are earning credits towards their graduation diploma. Co-op involves both a classroom component and a work placement component.
Students:
- experience the practical aspects of a job and the expectations of employers in a real work environment
- work in placements which best match their educational needs and interests
- integrate classroom theory and earn credits towards their graduation diploma
- are generally 16 years of age or older (the Ministry of Labour requires students to be a minimum age, depending on the occupation)
Placement Supervisors/Employers help to:
- provide the opportunity for students to learn from experts in the field
- develop the essential skills and work habits valued by the workforce
- enrich classroom learning with practical application
- provide students with the opportunity to access emerging technologies
- Apply for Cooperative Education and successfully complete the selection process at the school
- Attend pre-placement training at the school
- Attend interview with placement supervisor to determine suitability to the position
- Sign the Work Education Agreement Form
- Sign the Parent & Student Information Form
- Provide own transportation to work placement
- Attend integration sessions in the school
- Comply with company rules (e.g., dress, safety procedures, work schedules, etc.)
- Work in a honest, courteous, responsible and business-like manner
- Comply with rules and regulations of the school and workplace (e.g., confidentiality)
- Comply with school attendance policies in both the workplace and school components
- Submit assignments as required
- Work with teachers and supervisors to ensure that problems are dealt with
- Adhere to company and school health and safety regulations
- Demonstrate maturity and good judgement
- Report all accidents and injuries (no matter how minor) to the employer and teacher immediately
Student Attendance:
The student is expected to attend his/her placement as outlined on the Work Education Agreement. If the student is absent, he/she must notify the placement supervisor and the Co-op teacher prior to the start of the work day. Habitual lateness and unexcused absences are not acceptable.
- Monitor the student at the placement on a regular basis and consult with the placement supervisor as well as the student to observe the student at work.
- Keep records of each monitoring session
- Make adjustments to the Learning Plan, hours of work, etc.
- Address concerns from student and/or employer
- Provide pre-placement training to students including resume building, coaching, and health & safety certifications (i.e. WHMIS)
- Assist students in finding a cooperative education placement
- Accident Reporting
- Ensure all required forms are signed by all parties (WEA, OYAP, Liability Statement, etc.)
Placement Supervisors/Employers help to:
- provide the opportunity for students to learn from experts in the field
- develop the Essential Skills and Work Habits valued by the workforce
- enrich classroom learning with practical application
- provide students with the opportunity to access emerging technologies
- contribute to a skilled and responsive workforce
Before the Student Begins at the Work Placement
The student must:
- apply for Cooperative Education and successfully complete the interview process at the school
- receive pre-placement training in the classroom
- be interviewed by the placement supervisor to determine his/her suitability to the position offered by the employer
- sign the Work Education Agreement form with the other parties
- sign the Parent & Student Information form
Placement Supervisors/Employers meet with the Co-operative Education teacher to discuss:
- possible opportunities that the placement might offer the student
- placement assessment
- job tasks for the student
- student needs and expectations
- how the placement experience relates to the course curriculum expectations
- procedures involved with monitoring, communication and evaluation
- student time sheets/ logs
- confidentiality policies
- health and safety practices and procedures including personal protective equipment
- accident reporting
- schedule of Cooperative Education workplace hours for the student
Placement Supervisor Responsibilities
- Provide a safe working and learning environment
- Provide orientation and workplace site specific health and safety training
- Provide the student with written or oral feedback after the initial interview as part of the learning experience
- Designate one employee, if necessary, to be responsible for direct daily supervision of the student
- Assist the teacher in developing the Personalized Placement Learning Plan for the student by reviewing and refining student job tasks
- Provide challenging learning experiences that will encourage personal growth and develop career goals
- Help the student function as an integral part of a team
- Sign the student’s time sheets/logs in order to verify placement hours
- Meet with the teacher several times over the course of the placement to discuss the student progress
- Completing the performance appraisals for the student (the teacher is ultimately responsible for the overall evaluation and the assignment of grades)
The Work Education Agreement (WEA) is an agreement between the student, parent/guardian (for a student under 18), employer and the teacher which outlines the student, placement and school contact information, work schedule, and Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) coverage. Since each student must be covered by the WSIB, the Ministry of Education provides WSIB coverage for every unpaid Cooperative Education student. A completed and signed WEA form at the start of the placement ensures that the student has WSIB coverage.
The Waterloo Catholic District School Board does not provide liability insurance to protect the organization or the student for damages arising out of the operation of a motorized vehicle. The student is not to use a personal vehicle to conduct company business.
Students are encouraged to purchase additional insurance prior to starting their co-op placement. Visit Insure My Kids for more details on insurance options
