Cooperative Education Department

Co-op is an experiential learning program that combines in-class learning with hands-on work experience. It allows students to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world settings, gaining practical experience in a chosen field.

Students who participate in any experiential learning program have the opportunity to develop job readiness skills and knowledge, explore a career or skilled trade of interest, make community connections and network with industry professionals, gain independence, learn responsibility, develop employability skills, learn about strengths and interests, and support future pathway planning.

Students in Grade 11 or 12, and in all post-secondary pathways. can take co-op. Students can choose two credit (half day) or four credit (full day) co-op. Students can earn elective credits towards their Ontario Secondary Schoo Diploma (OSSD) requirements through the co-op program. Students registered in a Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program must complete a minimum of two co-op credits in their sector.

​Pre-placement

• Takes place in school during the first two weeks of the semester.
• Prior to students beginning their placements, all co-op students must attend pre-placement classes at school during their scheduled co-op periods.
• A variety of topics are covered that will prepare students for their placement, including completion of required paperwork for work placement.

Integration days

• In school co-op days are scheduled throughout the semester where students attend co-op class at school during their scheduled co-op periods.
• The integration portion allows students to discuss and analyze their placement experiences and cover a variety of topics that relate to their placement.

Placement component

• An appropriate placement for a student is based on their job readiness skills, interests, interview with the co-op teacher, and a successful interview with the employer and/or supervisor. A student may secure their own co-op placement in collaboration with the co-op teacher.
• Students attend their placement each day during their scheduled co-op periods.
• Throughout the semester, the co-op teacher and placement supervisor monitor and evaluate the student’s progress.

Some community businesses and partners provide one co-op placement that is open to consideration for students across all schools in the City of Kawartha Lakes. These have an external application package and screening process. Application due dates are set by the employer and it is the responsibility of the student to submit their application if applying for the co-op position. Application information will be posted on the website as it becomes available.

Co-op and community involvement are not the same. Through co-op, students benefit by gaining personal work experience while earning credits towards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. Co-op is completed during the school day. Community involvement hours, involve the student in volunteer opportunities where the community benefits. Community involvement hours must be achieved outside of school hours.

Co-op students earn high school credits, but do not get paid. Some employers may choose to provide a honorarium, or assist students with work related expenses (for example: transportation, uniform, or tools), however, this is not common practice and is not expected.

It is the responsibility of the student to commit to transportation arrangements at the beginning of the semester. IEWSS provides free bus transportation throughout Lindsay to co-op students. The route and stops are pre-set to accommodate students around Lindsay and get them to within walking distance of their work placement. The student is also able to arrange their own transportation, including walking, driving, or a ride from an approved adult. Students are not permitted to drive other students to work placement. A transportation form will require student and parent/guardian signatures prior to the start of placement.

Unpaid co-op students are covered by WSIB Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) while at their placements by the Ministry of Education. For this coverage to be in place, the Work Education Agreement (WEA) must be signed by the student, employer, parent/guardian (if the student is under 18 years of age), and co-op teacher. Additional student accident insurance is available to all students, but it is voluntary and optional, and paid for by the student.

Students complete general workplace health and safety awareness training during the pre-placement component and some certifications if they are required by the workplace. The employer should provide specific safety orientation and ongoing training and supervision. Students have the responsibility to wear personal protective equipment at all times, follow workplace guidelines and practices, and report any injuries or hazards.

Students are required to complete a Co-op Daily Attendance Form and submit it on time based on their schedule. Students who do not enter their attendance as present, will be marked unexplained absent. It will be student responsibility to correct attendance if they were at co-op placement. If students are absent from school and co-op placement due to illness or appointment, a parent/guardian must contact the school and the student must contact the employer and co-op teacher in advance, if possible.

Co-op experiences are valuable for career exploration. Students gain insights into their chosen field, grow professional networks, gain valuable sector specific skills, and may even discover new interests. The skills, experiences, and learning acquired during co-op can be highlighted on resumes and applications.

Any student who completes a co-op placement in an apprenticeable skilled trade is considered an OYAP participant and may lead to post-secondary apprenticeship. For specific information about OYAP please visit the OYAP website, or make an appointment with a guidance counsellor or co-op teacher.

• Effective communication with employer, co-workers, co-op teacher, and school.
• Complete and submit all paperwork to meet deadlines.
• Submit reports to employer each week for attendance verification and performance feedback.
• Complete all course assignments.
• Attend all pre-placement days and integration days.
• Consistently demonstrate employability skills, including initiative, independent work habits, a willingness to learn, maturity, responsibility, problem solving, and appropriate social skills.