What is Co-operative Education?

Co-operative Education is an experiential learning opportunity that allows students to take their learning from the classroom and apply it to the real world. By immersing themselves in the working world students will learn valuable employability skills, begin networking with community partners, and explore the connections between the curriculum they are learning in school and a career of their choice. It is by definition authentic learning at its best!

Students enrolled in Coop are also eligible for the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program at GW Williams – please see Guidance for more information regarding this option. Credits are earned by linking the Co-op credit with a course that the student has taken or is currently taking. The document that outlines these connections is called the Cooperative Education Learning Plan (CELP). This document will be unique to each student as serves as the basis for assessment for the duration of the semester.

 Program Overview

The Cooperative Education Program runs the duration of a semester. Students in a two credit program will work a half day (approx. 3 hours a day). Students in a full day program will work full days (approx. 6 hours a day not including lunch).

Below is a summary chart for typical Co-op student timetables as well as program hour requirements.

 Placement & Community Component

(approximately 200 or 400 hours)

This is the largest component of the Cooperative Education Program and will be unique for each student. Placement runs for approximately 4 months. Students will be expected to attend work for the required number of hours per day.

Placement experiences will vary from placement to placement (see below).

While at placement students will:

• develop and practice employability skills;

• participate in placement specific tasks and projects;

• work safely and responsibly as per placement policies and procedures;

• apply the curriculum of their linking course(s) to their learning at placement (as outlined by their CELP);

• be monitored by their Coop teacher during this time.

Cooperative Education Placements

Cooperative Education placements are opportunities for students to link the curriculum they have learned in school to real world authentic experiences. Once enrolled in the Co-op program students will be assigned a linking course that will guide their Co-op experiences.These linking courses must be taken prior to or consecutively with their Co-op Program.  We therefore encourage students to make course selections that would compliment their Co-op placement and vice versa. (Note: Students who have selected to participate in SHSM will have further requirements on which courses are eligible to be a Co-op linking course).

Other Co-op Program Considerations

Dress Code and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Students are expected to dress appropriately for their placement. Placement expectations concerning dress and appearance are usually addressed during the interview process. This could include dressing in business casual, or site specific personal protective equipment. In some cases PPE can be covered 

Behavior & Responsibility & Safe Work Practice•

Coop students and parents must be aware of the responsibility and level of maturity required for their placement. Students are given trust to behave in a responsible and appropriate manner in the working world. If at any point the employer or Co-op teacher feels that the trust has been broken a Co-op student can be removed from placement.

Co-op students must follow safe work practices. They must follow all company and school rules and report to their teacher any/or employer any accidents or incidents that make them uncomfortable or feel unsafe.

Further explanation of these requirements are outlined in the Co-op Statement of Understanding (attached to application).

Transportation

The cost of transportation is the responsibility of the student. During Pre-Placement students will have an opportunity to determine how they will arrive and return from placement. Requests for placements outside of the Aurora area will be honoured but students and parents must recognize the additional time and cost associated with such placements. Placements in the trades may require travel with further distances and access to personal vehicle.

Cooperative Education Paperwork

Students, parents/guardians, Coop teachers and placement supervisors will be required to complete legal paperwork for participation in the Cooperative Education Program. All paperwork must be completed PRIOR to a student beginning their placement. Failure to submit this paperwork will result in the removal from the Program.