Co-Op

Co-Op

This course consists of a learning experience connected to a community and a cooperative education curriculum that incorporates relevant expectations from the student’s related course (or courses). Students will develop skills, knowledge, and habits of mind that will support them in their learning, including their education and career/life planning, at school and beyond, today and in the future.

Cooperative education promotes the acquisition and refinement of skills, knowledge, and habits of mind that support education and career/life planning by providing opportunities for students to:

• acquire and develop skills, knowledge and attitudes required for employment

• gain practical work experience

• inquire and reflect on their experiences in order to gain a greater knowledge of themselves and their opportunities

• further their understanding of how they can shape their future

• participate in personalized learning experiences, and

• foster positive attitudes towards learning that helps students become independent, lifelong learners.

OYAP

The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) allows students to get an early start on an apprenticeship in a skilled trade. Students have the opportunity to work towards their OSSD, while working with an employer in a skilled trade area through a specialized co-op program.
There are two levels of OYAP Programming:

1. OYAP Participant - students get the opportunity to complete their co-op in one of the apprenticeable skilled trade areas (subject to availability).  This is an excellent opportunity to 'test' out a trade to see if it is a good fit.  Hours are registered and may count towards that trade if the student becomes an apprentice.

2. Registered OYAP Participant - After becoming an OYAP participant, the Employer may wish to sign the student to a registered training agreement with the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development (MAESD).  This formal agreement allows the student to ear hours towards their apprenticeship while also working towards their OSSD.

In order to participate in OYAP, students must:

• be 16 years of age when co-op placement begins

• have successfully completed 16 OSSD credits

• have a demonstrated interest and aptitude for the skilled trade

• prior experience in the sector is recommended (Co-op or tech course)