Co-operative Education

Student Services

Co-operative Education Components

Each of the following components will focus on student learning and demonstration of achievement based on the cooperative education curriculum.

A single co-op credit is 110 hours.

Pre-placement:

Preparing for the experience - Health and Safety, well-being, and initial requirements.
Student readiness will determine student’s entry to the community experience.

Topics

Job Readiness

What are employability skills?
Examining individual employability skills
Matching your skills to employer’s needs
Resumes, Cover Letters and Job Applications
Interview Skills
Attitude and employer expectations

Health and Safety

Maintaining personal Health and Safety
Rights, Responsibilities and Regulations
Applying knowledge and Workplace Health and Safety

Rights and Responsibilities

Ethics – workplace ethics
Ontario Human Rights Code
Discrimination
Sexual Harassment
Employment Standards Act

Workplace Orientation

Completion of job orientation assignment
Filling out WEA and other forms necessary to commence placement

Tests, assignments, information and worksheets will be provided for students. Guest speakers may also come in to speak about some of the above topics. All information presented in pre placement will be subject to a pre-placement assessment/evaluation prior to students commencing their placement.

Integration:

To allow students a time to reflect on their cooperative education experience and reinforce their learning in the workplace.
No pre-determined hours - can look and feel very different depending on student need- small group, whole class- based on different needs.
Will include a wide range of integration activities depending on need of the student(s). The activities may include class discussions, lectures, guest speakers and integration related to student experiences at their workplace as well as the presentation and /or submission of major assignments.
The Co-op Teacher will schedule the integration day(s) with student(s).

Community Placement:

A 2-credit Co-op – the student must earn a minimum of 220 hours comprised of pre placement orientation, integration and community placement work experience.
A 4-cedit Co-op - the student must earn a minimum of 440 hours comprised of pre placement orientation, integration and community placement work experience.
The placement should provide a variety of experiences of a sufficient duration to meet the needs and expectations of the Student’s Cooperative Education Learning Plan (SCELP).
All students must attend their placement to the last scheduled day. Under no circumstances will any student be allowed to finish before the last scheduled day, even if working to the last day means acquiring over the allotted 220 hours (2 credit) or 440 hours (4 credit).
Schedules may vary depending on the nature/location of the business and must be pre-arranged in Co-operation with the employer, the student and the Co-op Teacher. (Note: Work hours can be determined by the Co-op Employer)
This Co-op handbook outlines the Niagara Catholic District School Boards (NCDSB) policies with regards to Cooperative Education work placements. All students must understand the policies outlined prior to commencing their work experience. When in doubt students should reference the Policies and Procedures section of their Co- op handbook or contact their Co-op teacher for further clarification.

The student’s successful demonstration of the curriculum expectations are what governs the successful completion of the credit. If the student is not in the placement then demonstration of learning is not possible.