Cooperative Education Information for Students and Parents
What is Cooperative Education?
Cooperative Education is a planned learning experience, for which credits are earned, that integrates classroom theory and learning experiences at a workplace to enable students to apply and refine the knowledge and skills acquired in a related course.
Students are generally out in a workplace for a half day (morning or afternoon) for a whole semester (The first semester is from September to January and the second semester is from February to June). The tasks that are performed at the work site relate to a course that is either being taken presently or in a previous semester.
Students will participate in a pre-placement orientation (for a duration of approximately 20 hours) where they will learn about resume writing, interview skills, health and safety before they are able to go to a work site. Students will meet on a monthly basis with the Cooperative Education Teacher in a group session to reflect on what they are learning.
Who is involved?
Cooperative Education is a partnership among education and business that involves students, teachers, parents and employers. In the District School Board of Niagara, approximately 2,500 students and 1,700 employers participate in the Cooperative Education program every year.
The Cooperative Education Teacher will interview the student to find a placement that meets the student’s needs and career goal. The placement must also relate to a subject that is currently being taken or has taken previously.
What students will learn?
- To learn how to look for a job
- To write a resume and prepare for an interview
- To receive on-the-job training in a related subject area
- To expand on the skills studied at school in a practical way and use equipment that might not be available in a secondary school
- To develop the attitude and skills necessary to work successfully
- To identify capabilities, limitations, strengths and future career direction
- To become more aware of the demands and responsibilities of employment
- To participate in an alternative method of earning credits
- To earn hours toward an apprenticeship and register for the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) For more information about this program visit http://www.dsbn.edu.on.ca/oyap
How are students selected for the program?
Check off coop on the option sheet that is filled out in February for the next school year.
Complete the Cooperative Education Application form that is available from the Cooperative Education or Student Services office in the secondary school.
The Cooperative Education Teacher will interview the student to discuss the program and determine if a suitable placement can be found that meets the student’s academic and career goals.
How are credits earned?
Students are at a work site for a specific number of hours for the duration of the semester. Cooperative Education teachers and Principals grant credits based on the number of hours worked. Students must also complete specific assignments and submit weekly log sheets to the teacher on a regular basis.
Students can count up to two Cooperative Education credits towards the 18 compulsory credits needed for a high school diploma.
Central Placements - Semester 2, 2010
Some employers have requested that they be contacted by only one person from the school board. These are called “central placements”. Students, parents and/or teacher are NOT to call these employers directly to set up an interview. Information is provided to Cooperative Education Teachers at the beginning of each semester and will also be posted on this website.
The following employers will be accepting resumes for placements through Central Placements for Semester 2:
- Greater Niagara General Hospital
- Niagara Health System
- Niagara Regional Police Service
Students who are interested in a placement with one of these employers submit their resume electronically to: coopcentralplacement@dsbn.edu.on.ca The resume will be forwarded electronically to the employer and an interview arranged. The Cooperative Education Teacher will be notified by email of the student's interview date and time.
NIAGARA HEALTH SYSTEM
Students who are interested in a placement within one the Niagara Health System Sites (i.e Douglas Memorial, Greater Niagara General Hospital, St. Catharines General, Port Colborne and/or Welland) must have a doctor complete the Communicable Disease Surveillance Form .
See the forms section for this document.
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NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE
Students who are interested in a placement with the Niagara Regional Police Service must submit a one page essay that addresses the following topic: Why do I want a placement with the NRPS and what do I hope to achieve from this experience?
Applications (resume, cover letter and essay) for the Niagara Regional Police Service must be received through coopcentralplacement@dsbn.edu.on.ca by 11 a.m. on Friday, February 5, 2010. Teachers will be contacted to schedule interviews for selected students.
Please note that candidates who are successful in getting a placement will be required to pass a police check before they can begin working.
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What are the student's responsibilities?
- Complete and sign the DSBN Cooperative Education Student Handbook before going out to the work site
- Work with the employer/supervisor to complete the Personalized Placement Safety Plan that is in the Student Handbook
- Review the completed Student Handbook with the Cooperative Education Teacher before the work starts at the placement
- Get immunizations or a police waiver depending on the type of placement and the requirements of the employer
- Make transportation arrangements to and from the work site
- Attend the work site and the in-school sessions on a regular and punctual basis
- Follow the instructions of the Cooperative Education Teacher for reporting absences and lates
- Complete all assignments and weekly log sheets on a regular basis
- Work safely and diligently following all rules (for both the secondary school and the employer)
- Report any workplace accident immediately to the employer/supervisor AND the Cooperative Education teacher
- Dress appropriately for the work site and wear any Personal Protective Equipment as required by the employer/supervisor
- Represent the school in a positive manner in the community
Please note that failure to return the required forms in the DSBN Cooperative Education Student Handbook completed and signed according to the timelines established by the school may put the student’s credits in jeopardy. This document requires the signatures of the student, parent/guardian, teacher and placement supervisor. The student will NOT be able to start the placement until the forms are on file in the secondary school. |
What about insurance?
The following information is from the Ontario School Board Insurance Exchange:
Risk Management Advisory C-3
1. LIABILITY INSURANCE - WHO IS INSURED?
The board's liability insurance protects students, employers, and board employees while students are engaged in a specified cooperative education, work experience, job shadowing or "Take Our Kids to Work" program. If they are sued for alleged negligence arising out of the student's involvement in the work experience program, they are protected.
If an employer involves a student in work or activities outside of the program, coverage is not extended. For example, an employer may hire a co-op student to work after hours. As this activity is not part of the co-op education program, there is no coverage through the school board's liability insurance.
2. WORKPLACE SAFETY & INSURANCE ACT
Coverage is provided under the Workplace Safety & Insurance Act to Cooperative Education students through the Ministry of Education and Training for students participating in an unpaid Cooperative Education program. Students are not covered while in a classroom or shop when acting as a teacher's aide, or when traveling to or from the training station. Workplace Safety & Insurance is not provided to students involved in other work experience programs like "Take Our Kids to Work" and
jobs shadowing.
In accordance with the rules of the Workplace Safety & Insurance Act, workplace accidents must be reported immediately to WSI Board.
3. STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE
Students who are injured accidentally while on the job may be able to claim under Student Accident Insurance, which protects students against accidental injury while at school or on a work experience project. Student Accident Insurance is valuable coverage, and should be actively promoted by school boards. Student Accident insurers usually extend coverage to students who are on work experience projects, even if the student has not voluntarily purchased the insurance.
* For the DSBN, Reliable Life does provide basic plan coverage for all DSBN students traveling to and from co-op placements even if their parent/guardian has not purchased student accident coverage. It should be noted however that this is basic coverage only and parents should be encouraged to ensure that their children/students are adequately covered.
4. NON-OWNED AUTOMOBILE COVERAGE FOR COOPERATIVE EDUCATION
A) WORKING ON A NON-OWNED AUTOMOBILE
Students will be protected for accidental and negligent damage they cause to a non-owned vehicle (i.e., not owned by the school board, the employer, the student or a member of the student's household) while working on it subject to a $250 deductible.
B) DRIVING A NON-OWNED AUTOMOBILE
Coverage for liability (injury to others or damage to property of others) AND coverage for physical damage to the vehicle being driven by a student is NOT extended to students on work experience programs. The policy provides excess liability coverage only when the vehicle is being driven on board business. Driving an employer's or customer's vehicle is deemed to be driving on the business of the employer, not the board. The cooperative education teacher and employer should clearly understand this fact and ensure that the student is insured under the employer's automobile liability policy.
5. DAMAGE TO PROPERTY OF EMPLOYERS
The board's liability policy extends coverage to students who damage property in their care, custody and control while involved in a work experience project subject to a $100 deductible. It should be noted that there is no coverage for intentional damage, dishonesty of students or errors & omissions.
6. RISK MANAGEMENT TIPS
Students on co-op or other job assignments should not be allowed to drive vehicles.
Employers should be informed that if they allow students to drive their vehicles, any resulting damage to vehicles must be covered by the vehicle owner's or employer's automobile insurance.
Employers are responsible for supervising and training students, both for the protection of the students and for the protection of the employer.
Students should be instructed by the teacher and the employer on health & safety issues. The use of protective equipment and safety regulations must be stressed. Occupational Health & Safety
Regulations must be addressed and followed.
The cooperative education or work experience program must be clearly described before placement is made.
Health and Safety Tip Sheets
Useful Links
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