Cooperative Education is a program that integrates classroom theory with practical experience in a workplace. The program is based on an agreement between the school and community partner, and involves the participation of students, teachers and placement supervisors.
Students are in class at the beginning of a semester, work at their placement for the majority of the semester, and occasionally return to class to integrate their off-site learning experience. Coop teachers visit placements on a regular basis to monitor student progress and ensure safety standards are implemented.
Students can select a half day, two credit Coop program (morning or afternoon) or a full day, four credit Coop program.
Courses
Co-op is offered in grade 11 and 12 only. Students returning for a fifth year, please choose from the grade 12 selections.
Co-op links an in-school course already completed with the practical application of learning in that course at the placement.
Not all courses may be available at KCSS. To access available courses please consult with the Guidance Department.
Semesters 1 and 2
| Grade 11 | Grade 12 |
|---|---|
| COP3X1 (2 credit – AM) | COP4X1 (2 credit – AM) |
| COP3X2 (2 credit – PM) | COP4X2 (2 credit – PM) |
| COP3X1 & COP3X2 (4 credit/ full day) | COP4X1 & COP4X2 (4 credit/ full day) |
Opportunities
Co-operative Education Encompasses a Variety of Programs
All students can benefit from the real world experience available through Co-op, they gain employability skills, sample a career before entering a college or university program, and add impressive credentials to their resume, or applications to post secondary schools. See some come co-op experiences of KCSS students below:
- Automotive
- Fitness
- Pet Grooming
- Firefighting
- Bylaw (Law Enforcement)
- Hospitality
- Education
Additional Co-op Placements Include:
- Education - Elementary Schools, Montessori Schools
- Community Safety Village – Policing, Fire Fighting, By-law
- Military – Basic training for the Canadian Military
- Medical - Hospitals, Clinics, Offices
- Trades - Carpentry, Plumbing, Electrical
Resources
Programs
Students may be eligible to receive their Level 1 apprenticeship training through a certified college during their last semester in high school. The college credits are dual credits and apply toward the OSSD.
Interested in a career in one of the following skilled trades:
- Automotive Service
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- Child Care
- Heating & Air Conditioning
- Carpentry
The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) is a School to Work program that opens the door for students to explore and gain training in apprenticeship occupations starting in Grade 11 or Grade 12 through the Cooperative Education program. There are over 150+ skilled trades to choose from!
Students have an opportunity to become registered apprentices and work towards becoming certified in a skilled trade while completing their secondary school diplomas. The goals of OYAP are to:
- Provide students with the opportunity to start training in a skilled trade while completing the requirements for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma;
- Enable students to make the school to work transition by direct entry into apprenticeship training;
- Provide employers with the opportunity to train the skilled workers they require;
- Provide a viable solution to address the problem of skilled tradespeople shortages in general, and specifically the lack of young people joining the trade
Applying for the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program could be the first step in beginning a rewarding career in the skilled trades:
- OYAP is a smart choice if you wish to jump-start your career. Jobs in the skilled trades can pay well and challenge your intellect and creativity.
- OYAP is often the first step towards a career path in the trades that can lead to supervisory, administrative or management positions, or even to a self-employed business career.
- Students who participate in OYAP will be trained in a specific set of skills leading to a registered apprenticeship program and will be able to obtain apprenticeship hours/competencies and high school credits at the same time.
Students may be eligible to receive their Level 1 apprenticeship training through a certified college during their last semester in high school. The college credits are dual credits and apply toward the OSSD.
Interested in a career in one of the following skilled trades:
- Automotive Service
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- Child Care
- Heating & Air Conditioning
- Carpentry
An SHSM is a Ministry of Education approved specialized program that allows students to focus their learning on a specific economic sector while meeting the requirements to graduate from secondary school. It also assists in their transition after graduation to apprenticeship training, college, university or the workplace.
SHSM provides students with an opportunity to:
- Customize their secondary school education to suit their strengths, interests and abilities
- Develop specialized knowledge and skills
- Earn credits that postsecondary educational institutions and the sector recognise
- Gain sector-recognised certification and career-relevant training
- Develop Essential Skills and work habits documented through the Ontario Skills Passport
- Identify, explore and refine career goals and make informed decisions about their future
- Remain flexible, with the option to shift between pathways, should their goals and plans change.
Students who successfully complete a SHSM will have a special SHSM Red Seal embossed on their Ontario Secondary School Diploma and will also receive an official SHSM Record documenting the SHSM credits earned, and the industry/business sector related certifications and training received, as a part of their SHSM.
Students who graduate with a SHSM can look forward to improved prospects after secondary school because of the recognition of and support for the SHSM content from business and industry, apprenticeship training programs, colleges, and universities.
HPA is co-op programming tailored to meet the learning needs of students who are committed to focusing on their long term career objectives while accommodating competitive training needs. Criteria for consideration/acceptance into HPA programming is based upon:
- the # of hours committed to training;
- the learning needs of the student;
- level of competition;
- training season;
- completed application process; and
- a program readiness assessment.
- coach reference form
HPA programming provides students with an opportunity to:
- access individually tailored Co-op courses
- earn credits towards their OSSD while training and competing
The Canadian Army Reserve offers co-operative education opportunities to York Region District School Board students in order to introduce young Canadians to the diverse opportunities within the Canadian Armed Forces.
The program includes basic military training, first aid, navigation, field craft, career awareness, communication, self defence, and training in the operation of military equipment.
Students earn up to four credits through the ICE program by spend July in Costa Rica living with a host family and working in a career field of their choice.