Co-operative Education

Cooperative education (co-op) is a credit course that provides the opportunity to use what is learned in the classroom and apply it in the workplace. Co-op is an opportunity to “try out” a career and can help with making decisions about your future. You will also develop work habits, attitudes and job skills necessary for a successful transition to post-secondary education or the workplace.

How to Participate

Students can apply to take a cooperative education program when selecting courses during the course selection period each February. Before being accepted, you must complete an application and interview. Before beginning a co-op placement, you will attend pre-placement classes to help prepare for the workplace. You will also continue to take scheduled classes throughout the placement.

There is no limit to the number of co-op credits you can take. Up to two cooperative education credits can also count towards your 18 compulsory credits.

Programs and Placements

Based on your occupational interests, the co-operative education teacher will try to arrange a relevant workplace experience for you. As well, a number of centralized placements are available through unique partnerships between the TDSB and a range of companies and organizations, including:

• Banking and Finance (placements in Toronto financial district)

• Canadian Armed Forces

• Hospitality and Tourism (placements in hotels and restaurants)

• Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

• Toronto Police Services

• University Health Network (UHN)

• Across Experiences (a Dance/Drama and Media Arts Co-op that aims to build cross-cultural understanding with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students through storytelling, theatre, dance and new media)

For further details and to learn more about placement options, special application procedures and deadline dates, speak with your Guidance Counsellor or the ACL of Co-operative Education.

Dual Credit Program

Dual credit programs are programs approved by the Ministry of Education that allow students, while they are still in secondary school, to take college or apprenticeship course that counts towards both their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and a postsecondary certificate, diploma, degree, or a Certificate of Apprenticeship.

Dual credit programs are intended to assist secondary school students in completing their OSSD and making a successful transition to college and/or apprenticeship programs.

For whom are Dual Credit Programs intended?

Dual Credit Programs are aimed at students who fall into one of the three following categories:

• Students who face significant challenges in completing the requirements for graduation. This group includes disengaged and underachieving students who have the potential to succeed but are at risk of not graduating, and students who left school before graduating. These students are the primary focus of dual credit programs.
  

Eligible students should meet the following criteria:

• • 16 years of age or older

  • can potentially graduate within 1 year, but have not yet graduated

  • have the potential to successfully complete a college course or Level-1 apprenticeship training program

  • students who are disengaged and/or underachieving.

  • Students in Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programs;

  • Students in the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP).

How does it work?

Students attend classes on a college campus one afternoon a week for approximately 15 weeks. Upon successful completion of the college-delivered course, students earn both a college and secondary school credit which will count towards their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (elective credit).

Which colleges offer Dual Credits?

Centennial College, Humber College, Seneca College and George Brown College.

Please note: These courses do not require tuition fees or apprenticeship classroom fees for their classes/training. In addition, because students will be traveling to the college one afternoon a week, they will be provided with TTC tickets if necessary by their home schools.

Current Dual Credit Offerings and Course Charts

Review the courses being offered in the upcoming session or connect with your guidance counsellor for further information.