Frequently Asked Questions

Review the following commonly asked questions by students, teachers and employers for our Co-op program.

Do students get paid during Co-op?

Co-op focuses on extending classroom learning into supervised learning experiences in the community. Students earn secondary school credits related to subjects they have taken or are currently taking, aligning with their education and career/life journey. Some employers may provide a modest honorarium to help students with work-related expenses or go as far as paying an hourly wage. However, this is not an expectation of any employer, nor should it be of any student and/or parent/guardian/caregiver, and would be a discussion strictly between the employer and the student.

Would the employer be able to hire students?

Students may be hired by their employer if the position does not interfere with the Co-op program. Teachers and school staff are not involved with any employment arrangements or agreements. The employer must insure the student during these paid employment hours.

How do students get to and from the placement?

Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from their placement, including all travel expenses.

Can Co-op hours be used as Community Involvement hours?

Students cannot count Co-op hours towards their Community Involvement hours. These programs are not the same and focus on different experiences – Co-op is for personal work experiences, and Community Involvement focuses on volunteer opportunities.

Are Co-op students insured?

Students must complete the Work Education Agreement (WEA), which ensures they are covered by the Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) while at their placements.

What if the students don't like their placement?

If a student does not like their placement, we recommend speaking to their co-op teacher for guidance on maximizing their learning and personal growth. Just to let you know, students will have an In-take interview with their co-op teacher before their Co-op program begins to suggest past and present placement employers.

What if a student doesn't fit in with their placement?

If a student is not adjusting to their placement expectations, the employer can dismiss the student. The Co-op program provides a realistic workplace experience and helps students understand what it takes to get and keep a job. If a student is released from their employer, the co-op teacher and principal will continue working with the student. Students unwilling or unable to change their focus or behaviour put their credits at risk due to the incompletion of the program. However, if the student can make meaningful adjustments, a new placement may be found if time and circumstances permit.

Who ensures students' safety?

The co-op teacher will provide general safety awareness training during pre-employment classes. The employer is also expected to provide specific safety orientation and ongoing training. Students are responsible for:

• Always wearing safety gear

• Following workplace guidelines and practices

• Reporting any injuries or hazards

What happens during a work stoppage, strike, lockout, company layoff, or shutdown?

If an employer experiences a work stoppage, strike, lockout, company layoff or shutdown, students and employers will inform the co-op teacher. The co-op teacher will assign alternative work to ensure students complete their Co-op hours. If the work stoppage is lengthy, the co-op teacher and student may have to find an alternate placement for the remainder of the term.

Why do students take Co-op?

With Co-op, students can explore their future career interests in any industry, business or community setting to gain deeper insight into their planned education and career/life path. Benefits students experience in Co-op include:

• Explore career choices

• Increase awareness of workplace opportunities

• Develop essential and transferable skills

• Apply classroom theory to workplace experience

• Experience the realities of the world of work

• Build a network for future employment

• Make a smooth transition to life after high school

• Earn up to two Co-op credits towards their compulsory credits needed for a high school diploma

• Earn credits toward the optional credits required for a high school diploma