Student Success is about meeting the individual learning needs of each and every student. Schools are providing students with more opportunities to customize their high school experience and build on their strengths and interests through a variety of new and enhanced learning options.

Cooperative Education credits may be used to meet up to two of the 18 compulsory credit requirements for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Students must also earn 12 optional credits for the OSSD. There is no limit on the number of optional credits that may be earned through Cooperative Education courses.

Cooperative Education (Co-op) is a program that allows Grade 11 and 12 students to earn credits upon completion of a work placement in the community. The in-school portion and the work placement allow students to gain valuable learning experiences that help prepare them for post-secondary life, at College or University, Apprenticeship training or direct entry to the workplace. Co-op placements are arranged by Co-op teachers and follow Ministry of Education policies.

Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)

http://www.highskills.ca/
Cooperative Education is a required component for all Specialist High Skill Majors. Be sure to select a Co-op option when choosing your courses if you are planning on completing a SHSM upon graduation.

Co-op gives students the opportunity to:

  • “try out” a career of interest;
  • gain valuable work experience to help build their resume;
  • develop Essential Skills and work habits;
  • experience authentic learning outside a traditional classroom setting;
  • meet the requirements for a Specialist High Skills Major

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)

An OYAP student is a Grade 11 or 12 Co-op student who is working in an apprenticeship trade in one of the four sectors (i.e., Construction, Industrial, Motive Power and Service).

Concentrated OYAP and OYAP Dual Credit programs are specialized programs for students who have career plans to become an apprentice in a skilled trade. These programs offer senior secondary students an exciting opportunity to gain experience and skills towards apprenticeship qualifications, while still in high school.

For additional information on these programs, contact your school Guidance Counselor or Co-op Teacher.

Application Procedure for Cooperative Education:

  • choose the Co-op program of interest;
  • register your selection in Career Cruising
  • request and complete the required forms: Co-op Application, Parent and Student Info Form & Teacher Reference Forms;
  • students will be contacted by a Co-op teacher to undergo a mandatory structured interview;
  • depending on your placement request, you may need to fulfill additional requirements such as: health test(s), criminal reference check, specialized application package and/or screening.

Note: students are responsible for placement costs (e.g. transportation).
Note: access to a Cooperative Education program is based on student readiness and program availability.

For more information or forms, please refer to https://el.wcdsb.ca/ or go to your Co-op or Guidance office

Co-op for Grade 11 COOP11

Cooperative Education is a program that offers senior students the opportunity to further develop knowledge and skills in a subject area through practical experience. It is appropriate for students considering college, university and apprenticeship programs, or direct entry into the workplace. Placements exist in all sectors of the economy such as: Arts & Culture, Education, Hospitality & Tourism, Business, Environment, Manufacturing, Construction, Health & Wellness, Information & Communications, Police & Canadian Forces.
If you are interested in exploring a skilled trade, the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) is the recommended program option. The Co-op learning plan will incorporate the apprenticeship training standards for the chosen trade.
COURSE NOTE: Complete the Application Form, Parent Permission & Teacher Reference Forms.
• Students will be contacted by a Co-op teacher for an interview.
• A Tb test, Police Vulnerable Sector check, or specialized application pkg. may be required depending on placement request.
• Students are responsible for placement costs. Schools will support students who require assistance.
More information and forms at https://el.wcdsb.ca/ Guidance & Co-op office
CREDIT: 2
TYPE: Open.
GRADE: 11

Summer Co-op for Grade 11 SUCO11

Summer Co-op – 2018, provides students (at least 16 years old by June 28, 2018) an opportunity to experience a full-day unpaid work placement and earn credits during the summer when co-op might not fit into a student’s regular school schedule. This two-credit course may be taken at any level en route to any destination (Apprenticeship, College, University, or Workplace). This is also a great option for students who want to gain experience in a skilled trade area (OYAP), or who are involved in the Specialist High Skills Major Program. Choosing summer Co-op will not take up 2 slots on your timetable – you must choose 2 other courses to take during the school year. Note: students will need to make a full 5 week commitment (June 28 to Aug. 2). Enrollment will be capped and applications received after March 26, 2018 may not be considered. Priority will be given to students needing credits to graduate and SHSM students who cannot fit co-op into their regular school timetable.
COURSE NOTE: Complete the Application Form, Parent Permission & Teacher Reference Forms.
• Students will be contacted by a Co-op teacher for an interview.
• A Tb test, Police Vulnerable Sector check, or specialized application pkg. may be required depending on placement request.
• Students are responsible for placement costs (e.g., transportation).
More information and forms at https://el.wcdsb.ca/ Guidance & Co-op offices
CREDIT: 2
TYPE: Open
GRADE: 11

Co-op for Grade 12 COOP12

Cooperative Education is a program that offers senior students the opportunity to further develop knowledge and skills in a subject area through practical experience. It is appropriate for students considering college, university and apprenticeship programs, or direct entry into the workplace. Placements exist in all sectors of the economy such as: Arts & Culture, Education, Hospitality & Tourism, Business, Environment, Manufacturing, Construction, Health & Wellness, Information & Communications, Police & Canadian Forces.
If you are interested in exploring a skilled trade, the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) is the recommended program option. The Co-op learning plan will incorporate the apprenticeship training standards for the chosen trade.
Note: Coop can be 2 credits (half day) or 4 credits (full day), this will be determined at your coop interview.
COURSE NOTE: Complete the Application Form, Parent Permission & Teacher Reference Forms.
• Students will be contacted by a Co-op teacher for an interview.
• A Tb test, Police Vulnerable Sector check, or specialized application pkg. may be required depending on placement request.
• Students are responsible for placement costs. Schools will support students who require assistance.
More information and forms at https://el.wcdsb.ca/ Guidance & Co-op office
CREDIT: 2
TYPE: Open.
GRADE: 12

University Cooperative Education Program UCEP12

The University Cooperative Education Program is in partnership with St. Jerome’s University, University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University. This program allows students who have achieved high academic success the opportunity to begin transitioning to university life before leaving high school. Students earn a university credit, 1 or 2 Grade 12 academic credits (taught by secondary school teachers at the university), and 2 co-op credits through work as a research assistant with a Professor and/or Graduate students at the university in an area of interest for future full-time study. ENG4U, MCV4U,and HRE4M are the course options students may choose. Please note that ENG4U will have an AP (Advanced Placement) option that will enable successful students to write the AP Literature and Composition exam in May.
When choosing UCEP, also choose all the Grade 12 courses you will need to graduate and/or apply to university. The Grade 12 courses offered through UCEP will depend on applicant course requests.UCEP is offered only during first semester.
COURSE NOTE: Access to Co-op is based on student readiness and program availability.
• Complete the Application Form, Parent Permission & Teacher Reference Forms.
• Students will be contacted by a Co-op teacher for an interview.
• Health test, police check, or specialized application pkg. may be required depending on placement request.
• Students are responsible for placement costs if applicable.
More information and forms at https://el.wcdsb.ca/ Guidance & Co-op office
CREDIT: 2
TYPE: University
GRADE: 12

College Cooperative Education Program CCEP12

This Transition to College program is an opportunity for grade 12 students to attend Conestoga College and take a tuition free college course that counts as an elective on their high school transcript, and is a credit that can be applied to a variety of future College programs. Students will also complete a two credit co-op placement that is related to the college course, or an unrelated placement, if the student chooses.
The College courses are applicable to programs in the following areas of study: Business, Community Services, Health Care and Life Sciences, Law & Security, Media and Design, Recreation & Leisure.
COURSE NOTE: Complete the Application Form, Parent Permission & Teacher Reference Forms.
• Students will be contacted by a Co-op teacher for an interview.
• A Tb test, Police Vulnerable Sector check, or specialized application pkg. may be required depending on placement request.
• Students are responsible for placement costs (e.g. transportation).
• Priority will be given to students interested in a College pathway and needing credits to graduate.
More info & forms at https://el.wcdsb.ca/
CREDIT: 3
TYPE: College.
GRADE: 12

Summer Co-op for Grade 12 SUCO12

Summer Co-op – 2018, provides students (at least 16 years old by June 28, 2018) an opportunity to experience a full-day unpaid work placement and earn credits during the summer when co-op might not fit into a student’s regular school schedule. This two-credit course may be taken at any level en route to any destination (Apprenticeship, College, University, or Workplace). This is also a great option for students who want to gain experience in a skilled trade area (OYAP), or who are involved in the Specialist High Skills Major Program. Choosing summer Co-op will not take up 2 slots on your timetable – you must choose 2 other courses to take during the school year. Note: students will need to make a full 5 week commitment (June 28 to Aug. 2). Enrollment will be capped and applications received after March 26, 2018 may not be considered. Priority will be given to students needing credits to graduate and SHSM students who cannot fit co-op into their regular school timetable.
COURSE NOTE: Complete the Application Form, Parent Permission & Teacher Reference Forms.
• Students will be contacted by a Co-op teacher for an interview.
• A Tb test, Police Vulnerable Sector check, or specialized application pkg. may be required depending on placement request.
• Students are responsible for placement costs (e.g., transportation).
More information and forms at https://el.wcdsb.ca/ Guidance & Co-op office
CREDIT: 2
TYPE: Open..
GRADE: 12

CAPP Dual Credit (College Apprenticeship Preparation & Co-op) CAPP 12

CAPP Dual Credit (College Apprenticeship Preparation & Co-op)
CAPP Dual Credit programs are for students focused on these careers:
• Automotive Service Technician
• Cook
• Carpentry
• Truck & Coach Technician.
• Welding
These programs operate in partnership with Conestoga College. Students are registered as an OYAP Participant at the start of the program and work towards completing pre-apprenticeship training for their chosen trade. Students will complete hours through Co-op that may apply towards their apprenticeship. Students will earn (2) secondary credits for successful completion of the college courses and (2) Co-op credits. A Grade 11 and/or 12 related Tech course is required as a prerequisite. Previous related work experience is desirable.
Students will also be interviewed for suitability towards admission into one of the following Level One apprenticeship programs:
• Automotive Service Technician
• Machinist/Tool and Die
• Brick and Stone
Interested students for these specialized level one programs will require previous work experience (either through coop or otherwise). In addition, students must have an employer willing to sponsor their apprenticeship.
These Dual Credit programs will run semester 2 for Grade 12 students who have successfully earned 26 credits towards graduation. All compulsory credits must be completed prior to the start of semester 2.
COURSE NOTES:
• Level one apprenticeship dual credit programs have limited space availability.
Admission to the program is based on a successful college interview.
• Access to Co-op is based on student readiness and program availability.
• Complete the Application Form, Parent Permission & Teacher Reference Forms.
• Students will be contacted by a Co-op teacher for an interview.
• Students are responsible for placement expenses (e.g., transportation).
More information and forms available at https://el.wcdsb.ca/ or Guidance & Co-op offices.
COURSE NOTE: Access to Co-op is based on student readiness and program availability.
• Admission to the Level one apprenticeship program is based on a successful college interview.
• Complete the Application Form, Parent Permission & Teacher Reference Forms.
• Students will be contacted by a Co-op teacher for an interview.
• Students are responsible for placement expenses (e.g., transportation).
More information and forms available at https://el.wcdsb.ca/ or Guidance & Co-op offices.
CREDIT: 4
TYPE: Apprenticeship
GRADE: 12

For Dual Credit Construction based opportunities, take a look under Dual Credit Programs part of the menu.