Guide For Employers

Why participate as an Employer?

• Demonstrate community involvement

• Enhance public image

• Assist education system in keeping school courses more relevant to changes in the workplace

• Train and recruit future apprentices and employees

• Develop supervisory skills in employees

The experiences that co-op students receive under your supervision can influence career choices and help to develop a valuable employee for many years to come.

Responsibilities of the Placement:

• Conduct an interview prior to placement

• Complete and sign a Placement Assessment Checklist with the co-op teacher

• Provide orientation and workplace health and safety training

• Provide a safe working environment

• Assist with the ongoing assessment of the student

Responsibilities of the Supervisor:

• Train student in assigned tasks to ensure safety

• Review and sign weekly logs

• Jointly assess student progress with the co-op teachers and provide performance appraisals

• Provide time to discuss the student's progress to ensure a quality learning opportunity

Responsibilities of the Student:

• Observe and comply with all workplace policies, procedures and regulations such as dress, safety codes, work schedules and confidentiality

• Conduct themselves in a courteous, responsible, and business-like manner

• Work with teachers to ensure that any problems are addressed immediately

Responsibilities of the Cooperative Education Teacher:

• Complete and sign the Placement Assessment Checklist with the employer

• Monitor student performance at the placement on a regular basis

• Assess and evaluate student performance

• Follow WSIB procedures in case of accident

• Respond to the unique needs of each student

Benefits of Cooperative Education For Students:

• Explore career choices

• Develop employability skills

• Gain valuable work experience

• Earn high school credits

• Obtain valuable references for the future

Insurance Coverage

• Liability insurance for students is provided through the Thames Valley District School Board

• Students are encouraged to purchase accident insurance offered at the school

Workplace safety and Insurance Board:

• Coverage under WSIB is provided through the Ministry of Education for the hours stated on the Work Education Agreement

• coverage for students in the education placements (eg. Teacher's aide) is provided through OSBIE

• Insurance coverage for students driving company vehicles is entirely the responsibility of the employer

Remuneration

• The Thames Valley District School Board discourages payment to students for work performed during hours established on the Work Education Agreement

• If students remain at their placement beyond the hours specified on the Work Education Agreement, they may be hired as employees and receive payment for their work

Frequently Asked Questions

How much administrative paperwork is involved

• Prior to the placement, signatures are required on a few forms, including insurance, and participation agreements.

• The Placement Assessment checklist must be completed and signed

• Supervisors complete two performance appraisals and learning skill assessments

• Supervisors must sign the student's weekly log

Are students in Co-op programs expected to participate in actual work at the placement?

• Students are at the placement to learn by doing and make connections between the theory learned in the classroom and its practical application in the work environment

• Co-op students are expected to have an opportunity to learn and work to better develop their skill sets for future success

What safety procedures should be followed?

• Employers must provide workplace specific health and safety training to students before allowing them to use equipment or to be present in potentially hazardous areas

Can I be an employer if my work is confidential?

• Cooperative education students have been placed in confidential jobs in the past. The topic of confidentiality is addressed in the preplacement component of the course. Students may be required to sign a confidentiality agreement that clearly outlines any consequences that may result if the agreement is violated

What if I have a serious problem with a student?

• Contact the teacher immediately and discuss the problem