Our co-operative education program is a unique experience that allows students to earn secondary school credits while completing a work placement. The program allows participants to take what they learned in school and apply it to a real-world work environment. Administrators and teachers ensure that the student’s duties and learning experiences at the workplace are closely related to one or more courses that the student is currently enrolled in.
Why co-op is a great option for students
Through the co-op program, students earn credits toward graduation while becoming better equipped to make informed career and education choices in their future. Students also gain confidence in their ability to make the transition from high school to the world of work or post-secondary education. In addition, students will:
- see the relevance of their classroom learning
- clarify career goals
- experience hands-on learning
- further develop self-awareness, self-confidence and interpersonal skills
- develop workplace-specific knowledge and skills through guided mentorship
- build references and networking opportunities
- determine education and skill requirements for post-secondary career pathways
Co-op application and evaluation process
Pre-course interview
An initial interview is conducted by administrators to determine that the student is ready to be a learner in the workplace and that the placement relates in some way to courses the student has, is, or will be taking. The interview also identifies any potential barriers to success and attempts to put any appropriate supports in place.
Establishing the placement
Placements for students are arranged by the school and must meet a number of requirements. A placement must be assessed by a teacher before a student is assigned to it, in order to ensure the placement is a positive and safe learning environment and workplace. Generally, co-operative education students should not be paid for their placements. However, in certain situations, programs, or placements, school boards may permit students to receive payment. All placements must also have Workplace Safety and Insurance coverage through the Ministry of Education or the workplace.
Pre-placement instruction
Prior to their placements, all co-operative education students must demonstrate an understanding of the knowledge and skills outlined in curriculum expectations related to health, safety and well-being prior to starting their community experience.
Cooperative Education Learning Plan
A Cooperative Education Learning Plan must be developed for each student based on program curriculum expectations. In Cooperative Education Linked to a Related Course (or Courses), student learning is associated in part with selected curriculum expectations from a related course or courses. It is developed by the co-op teacher, in partnership with the employer and student.
Assessment and evaluation
The Co-operative Education teacher evaluates the student’s progress in achieving the curriculum expectations and meeting the requirements of the Co-operative Education Learning Plan. Assessment information is gathered in both the classroom and the community components of the course. Regular monitoring of student progress throughout the community component of the course is achieved through planned collaborative placement site meetings between the co-op teacher, student and supervisor. Monitoring includes observing the student performing workplace duties and formal evaluations with the student’s supervisor. The first monitoring meeting occurs within three weeks of the start of the community component. Subsequently, at least two monitoring meetings take place per month, one of which must be face-to-face or online meeting that allows visual contact. Teachers use professional judgement to determine when it may be necessary to conduct monitoring meetings on a more frequent basis.
Students are also assessed through written assignments, seminar presentations, reflective journals, and career portfolios. In addition they must complete a culminating activity that links the student’s community/placement experience with the expectations of the co-operative education program and related course where applicable.
Integrating student learning
Planned integration activities throughout the course help students make connections between their learning in the classroom component and their learning in the community/placement component of the course. They support students in developing the skills, knowledge and habits of mind required for education and career/life planning.
Co-operative education information for prospective employers
Could your business benefit from an extra set of hands? Each year, the Ottawa Catholic School Board co-operative education program places hundreds of students in a variety of work settings, reflecting the wide range of student interests and abilities. We are continuously in search of new and challenging work placements for our students, where they can gain experience from hands-on activities.
Work placements typically occur for three hours during the morning or afternoon, or six hours for the full day, five days a week. The term may run from mid-September to January or mid-February to June. The employer interviews the student to determine the suitability of the co-op candidate. A co-operative education teacher monitors each placement with frequent visits to support student learning during the community component of the course by fostering achievement and well-being.
Employers’ roles and responsibilities
The roles and responsibilities of the employer include:
- provide a safe working and learning environment
- designate one employee to be responsible for supervising and evaluating each student
- provide students with written or oral feedback after an employment interview as part of the learning experience
- help develop personalized placement learning plans by identifying workplace applications
- provide orientation and workplace health and safety training
- provide challenging learning experiences that will encourage personal growth and develop career goals
- help students function as an integral part of a team
Employer benefits of offering a placement
- continued communication and support from the assigned co-operative education teacher
- WSIB fees are paid for by the Ministry of Education
- additional support in the workplace
- employers can train a potential new employee without financial commitment
- employers are able to mentor and shape the workforce of tomorrow
Complete the Offer of a Training Station form
If your organization is interested in providing a placement for a co-operative education student, please complete the Offer of a Training Station form and fax it to Mario Francoeur at 613-224-4455 ext 2237. Your form will be reviewed and you will be contacted as soon as possible.
Once your application has been approved, the appropriate school(s) will be informed and they will proceed with their own pre-placement assessment.