Cooperative education is a program that allows students to earn secondary school credits while completing a work placement in the community.
Cooperative education allows students to participate in valuable learning experiences that help prepare them for the next stage of their lives, whether in university, college, apprenticeship training or the workplace.
Cooperative education lets students make connections between school and work and to “try out” a career of interest before finalizing plans for post secondary education, training, or employment.Cooperative education allows students to see the relevance of their classroom learning in a work situation and it gives them authentic experience and purposeful learning outside a traditional classroom setting.
What can co-op do for me?
- Gain valuable work experience
- Develop skills necessary for success in a field of your choice
- Gain confidence working with adults
- Learn about rights and responsibilities of work
- Increase my contacts/enhance my resume
- Enhance my college/university applications
- Earn school credits by an alternate route
Eligibility for Co-op
- Be 16 years of age or older
- Have parental consent
- Be enrolled in (or have previously earned) a credit relating to the placement (example: a grade 11/12 accounting for accounting co-op)
Additional Co-op Information
Students must earn 12 optional credits for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. There is no limit on the number of optional credits that may be earned through cooperative education courses.
Cooperative education credits may be used to meet up to two of the 18 compulsory credit requirements for the OSSD.
Students can earn their co-op hours after school and on weekends if required.
Credit Combinations
2-credit co-op:
Students work for a minimum of 3 hours each day. These students usually attend two classes per day (for a total of 4 credits per semester).
3-credit co-op:
Students work for a minimum of 4.5 hours per day. Depending on travel time, these students can also attend a period 1 class (for a total of 4 credits per semester).
4-credit co-op:
Students work for a minimum of 6 hours per day.
Students are able to earn their coop hours after school and on weekends for certain placements.
Arts: Art galleries (i.e. BAC), teaching, recording studios, photography, graphic design, retail
Business: Marketing, accounting, finance, retail, administration, real estate
English: Editing (i.e. Burlington Post), teaching, theatre
Family Studies: Daycare, fashion, food Service, hair salons, aesthetics
French: Education, business, embassy, teaching
Mathematics: Engineering, banking, finance, insurance, teaching
Physical Education: Fitness studio, physiotherapy, teaching, golf course
Science: Medical placements at Joseph Brant Hospital, veterinarian assistant, lab assistant, pharmacy
Social Science: Law, museums (i.e. ROM), teaching, tourism
Information Technology: Programming, data entry, computer repair, retail (i.e. Future Shop)
Skilled Trades: Automotive, construction, landscaping, electrical
Don't see it here? Ask about placements in your field of choice!
