What Is Cooperative Education?

COP 3X1 (grade 11)  or COP 4X1 (grade 12)

Cooperative Education is an experiential mode of learning, delivered under Ministry of Education and Training guidelines, that integrates academic study and classroom theory with experiences in the workplace.
Students divide their time between school and the workplace, spending at least half the day with the employer. While at the workplace, students are provided with challenging responsibilities and learn by doing.
This 3-way partnership between the high school student, the business community, and the school, combines classroom instruction with practical "on the job" training.

Through Cooperative Education, the students should:

• develop employability skills, thus improving chances for getting a full time job
• help enhance the work ethic and provide valuable lessons such as pride in a job well done, punctuality, dependability and honesty
• look to employers to give them an opportunity to prove themselves in real-life work settings
• make it easier to understand how academic education leads to a rewarding future.

What Are Work Experiences?

Cooperative Education students learn at school and then extend those objectives into the workplace. The experience of real working conditions can improve their potential as future employees and can help them develop a positive attitude towards themselves, their education, and their career.       Experiential learning requires that students:
- be mature individuals who are dependable and responsible
- possess a willingness to learn
- be courteous, punctual, and show appropriate initiative- be taking or have already taken a secondary school credit in the area of study related to a possible   cooperative education place, ie: students wanting to work in a garage should have taken or be taking Auto   Mechanics; students wanting to work in a daycare should have taken or be taking Parenting, etc. (It should be noted that other related courses may apply in the examples above.)

The related course will determine the grade level of the Cooperative Education credit. (E.g. If the related courses at the grade 11 level, the Cooperative Education credits will also be at the grade 11 level. 

Program Overview And Duration

During the pre-placement period, held at the beginning of the semester, the student is in the classroom preparing to enter the world of work. Topics that are covered during these first two weeks include resume and cover letter writing, using the telephone, how to prepare for an interview, health and safety, union, employer expectations, confidentiality and other topics related to work readiness. The Cooperative Education student arranges an interview with a prospective training sponsor, and if successful, would be placed at that business for his/her work experience. During the semester the Cooperative Education student will occasionally come back to class for peer and reflective sessions where they will discuss and share what they have learned at the workplace. 

Students Responsibilities in Cooperative Education:

·       comply with all company rules as to dress, safety codes, work schedule, and policies

·       observe and comply with the rules and regulations of the placement and the school, including confidentiality requirements

·       comply with school attendance policies in both the placement and classroom sessions

·       submit assignments as required

·       inform the placement supervisor and the Cooperative Education Teacher in advance if they are unable to report to their placement.

Examples of Work Experience Placements

Accountant	Army Reserve
Auto Body Repair	Auto Parts Dismantler
Automotive Service Technician	Carpenter
Child and Youth Worker	Clerical
Complex Chronic Care	Computer Graphic Design
Computer Technician	Cook
Day Hospital-St. Joseph's Care Grp.	Dental Assistant
Draft Person	Early Childhood Educator
Education Assistant	Electrician
Farm Hand	Florist
Forklift Mechanic	General Helper
Hairstylist Assistant	Library Assistant
Machinist	Maintenance Worker
Parts Person	Pastry Chef's Assistant
Pet Groomer's Assistant	Physiotherapist Assistant
Plumber's Assistant	Police Services
Retail Sales	Sheet Metal Worker
Small Engine Technician	Social Worker
Tire Repair Specialist	Transition Unit St. Joseph Care Group
Travel / Tourism	Veterinarian Assistant
Video Production	Welder's Assistant
The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program      The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) is a form of Cooperative Education that allows students to earn hours towards their apprenticeship. It is a specialized program offered to Cooperative Education students that enables them to meet diploma requirements while participating in an occupation that requires apprenticeship. They are also considered to be full time students and are therefore entitled to all school holidays unless mutually agreed upon by the OYAP sponsor and student. Students working outside school hours must be paid, and the sponsor will be responsible for WSIB. Since students are registered as apprentices when they participate in OYAP, they may be paid at the rate for apprentices as outlined in the Trades Qualifications Apprenticeship Act and/or the Apprenticeship Certification Act.  COP4XA – Army Reserve (Military) Co-op, Grade 12      This program is run jointly between St. Ignatius High School and the Canadian Forces, and allows students to earn two Ontario Secondary School credits and receive remuneration for training.  If the student is accepted into the program, he/she will undergo basic military training at the Thunder Bay Armoury, as well as other training locations.  Students must be 16 prior to the starting date of the program, be a Canadian citizen, have a minimum of 15 credits and be free of any legal obligations.  Army Co-op is offered only during the afternoons of the second semester.   COP4XN – Naval Reserve Co-op, Grade 12      The Naval Reserve Co-op Program includes introductory training to be part of the crew of a Canadian Navy ship, a member of a Port Security Unit, a Port Inspection Diving Team or a Naval Intelligence Team. This program allows students to earn two Ontario Secondary School credits and receive remuneration for training.  If the student is accepted into the program, he/she will undergo basic training out of the HMCS Griffon located on Algoma Street.  Students must be 16 prior to the starting date of the program, be a Canadian citizen, have a minimum of 15 credits and be free of any legal obligations.  Navy Co-op is offered during the afternoons of the first semester.  Students must be available to attend the program from 1:00 – 5:30 pm, Monday to Friday, and the occasional weekend training session. For further information on any co-operative education programs, contact Mrs. Frankow or Mrs. Migliazza at 344-8433 ext. 237.