Cooperative Education is part of the Work-Based Learning (WBL) Continuum defined in the Alabama Work-Based Learning Handbook. In part, the handbook defines Work-Based Learning as "sustained interactions with industry or community professionals in real workplace settings." The Continuum illustrates a non-linear path that includes experiences such as job shadowing, career day, cooperative education, apprenticeships, etc.

Cooperative Education is one of the most widely used forms of WBL. CO-OP represents a cooperative agreement between an employer and an educational institution. Students participating in CO-OP gain employability skills and industry experience and is the only component of Career and Technical Education designed to give Juniors and Seniors high school credits for completing paid, work-based experiences.

Characteristics unique to Cooperative Education include:

• paid employment at a work site

• focused on gaining work experience

• may or may not be tied to the specific field of training the student is pursuing in their CTE classes

• associated with earning course credit

• represented by a training agreement between employer and school

Cooperative Education is only offered as a full credit course, meaning it lasts all year (unless at a block schedule school). Half credits of CO-OP are not offered. CO-OP is offered during the regular school year and also as a separate term during the summer. Students who wish to participate in CO-OP need to complete an application.

Please contact Mrs. Green at ECTC if you have questions about the Cooperative Education program.