Benefits of Co-operative Education

There are many benefits for Students participating in a Co-operative Program.  For example:  

Course and Curriculum Advantages:

• one semester program;
• two work experiences within one semester which equal eight grade 12 credits;
• one or two teachers for all courses;
• all co-op students will receive teacher support to complete their Graduation Transitions, but will not receive credit/mark until grade 12;
• opportunities for field experiences that could not otherwise be included. You will not miss work in other classes and have to catch up.

Work Experience Advantages:

• an opportunity to experience a career area that interests students on a first hand basis, to build skills and knowledge, to see and to participate in specialized areas;
• students can find answers to: “Is this what I see myself doing in my future?”
• open the doors for summer and after school jobs, allowing students to network and build contacts;
• six weeks of work experience without missing instructional time;
• an opportunity to increase student confidence, self-esteem, self-reliance.

Teacher Advantages:

• matching of curriculum to teacher background. Each of our Co-op teachers is a specialist and is able to share his/her excitement and enthusiasm for their course content;
• one or two teachers for the semester means that it will be easier for the teacher(s) to learn the classroom expectations and marking schemes;
• Co-op teachers will be aware of student workload in all their classes for the one semester; therefore, consideration to due dates, test dates, and homework load can be more easily balanced.

Credit Related Advantages:

• students will receive more credits (possible 20 credits instead of the usual 16) than can normally be earned within a semester. In addition, some of the grade 12 graduation
• requirements can be completed within the grade 11 year;
• through completing 180 hours of work experience for 12A and 12B, students also get credit for their 30 hours of work experience needed for their Graduation Transitions;
• work experience counts toward GPA;
• helps with university/college program applications;
• work toward a Career Education/Focus Area Graduation Certificate.

Other Related Advantage(s):

• opportunities for networking, collaboration and teamwork. Peers need to be able to work together in a friendly, non-competitive way – we build a network of relationships, shared experiences and growth.

What is a Co-operative Education?

Co-operative Education is a one-semester program that includes two academic courses, (English 11, Social Studies 11) and Career Transitions 12, Work Experience 12A and 12B.

Students receive the required number of hours of instruction for each course and all curricular material is covered. The co-op program is designed to enhance a student’s education through incorporating work experience into their program.

Work Experience is intended to assist in preparing students for the transition from secondary school to the world of work or further education and training. The community becomes the classroom where students gain knowledge and experience about the work place and are provided with a frame of reference to review their career development goals. By extending education beyond the school, students will be able to access a wide and varied scope of work experience opportunities in the community.

Students participate in two three-week work experiences during one semester. They work five days a week and eight hours a day in a career field that is suited to their abilities and interests.

Work experience allows the students to:
* gain knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to be successful in the world of work
   and understand the relevance of the school curriculum;
* gain experience in the work place and develop an understanding of personal potential
   in order to reflect on and make career decisions;
* develop an understanding of effective work habits and the importance of flexibility in
   dealing with change and challenge in the work place;
* develop employability skills; and gain insight into possible future career options.

Careful thought to the type of work placement the student requests is very important, so the maximum benefit of the experience can be obtained. Parent and student involvement in the choice of a work placement is of utmost importance.