Burnhamthorpe Adult Education

Co-operative Education Program

· Are you an internationally trained professional with or without foreign work experience?

· Do you have post secondary education from a Canadian institution but you are struggling to find a job?

· Are you currently working towards completing your high school diploma or are you thinking of starting soon?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then join our Adult Education CO-OP.

In today's job market employers are more willing to hire people with Canadian work experience. Our CO-OP program gets you on track by providing you with the opportunity to work or volunteer with a company in the field you desire. Upon successful completion of the program, you will not just gain Canadian work experience, but you would have widened your network, understood how to job search, create references and earn high school credits.

The COOP Program

• Accelerated OYAP: This is an 18 week, 2- Quad program offered twice per year, starting September and February. Accelerated OYAP is an intensive program that combines a co-op placement with an 8-week block of Level 1 training at a College or Union training centre. An Accelerated OYAP student becomes a Registered Apprentice with the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD). Click HERE for more info.

• All Day COOP: Designed for those who hold a daytime job and cannot attend school during regular daytime school hours. Students will use their job as their placements. Contact your coop teacher for more information. This is offered every quad.

• Regular COOP: This program is offered every quad and students will earn two to four credits depending on the hours of placements.

• Academic Achievements: Students stand to earn up to 6 credits (depending on the program) towards their high school diploma. Students also receive a certificate of achievement upon successful completion of the program.

• Format: Preplacement learning for the first week of class or until placed. Learning includes resume and cover letter writing, interview skills development, job search techniques, health and safety certification, Canadian work culture, and other employability and communication skills. Pre placement learning is followed by volunteer work experience.

• Requirements: Must be 21 years or older, register with BALC, interview with Coop teacher, be committed to 2 quads (Accelerated OYAP), 1 quad for regular COOP, assess at ESL Level E, CLB 6 or higher. Note that some placements may require grade 10 English or higher.

• Placements: Teacher works with students to find a placement. Many employers are already onboard and if students wish to make use of these opportunities then an interview will be granted. If you are already employed and would like to use your job as your placement this can be arranged. While placements are not guaranteed, we try to get everyone placed.

• Employers: Employers are seeking to fill in-person positions. Positions we have filled in the past include administrative assistants, accountants, computer programmers, social media managers, teacher’s assistants, customer service rep, sales and marketing rep. social service workers, farm assistants, trades -mechanics, electricians, construction workers and many more. Please note that due to COVID 19 some employers are not accepting placements in certain fields. We do however endeavour to place all students.

• Students’ Commitments: Students must be available Monday to Friday, between the specified class hours for the first two weeks. Students will negotiate time with their employers but must be committed to at least four hours per day for placements.

• Cost: The program is of no cost to you. Students may need to purchase protective equipment,police check, or CPR and First Aid if required by the employer

• Other Requirements: Students will need a computer to participate in classes and to complete assignments. You must be proficient at word processing and using the internet.

• Remember: Except for students who are using their current job as a placement, all placements are unpaid. Some employers may provide a small stipend, but this is not a requirement. Remember the aim of a placement is to gain valuable work experience.

• Expectation: Students are not forced to remain in a placement if it is not working out. We however expect students to work through conflicts that results in amicable outcomes where possible. Your teacher will work closely with you and your employer to ensure a pleasant experience for all.

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