Cooperative Education – tinyurl.com/cameroncoop (Mr. Irwin)

Co-op Office: 519-578-8330 ext. 5227
Co-op Coordinator: Robert Irwin

NEW

Co-op Employers and Supervisors – Ministry of Labour : Safety Information

For Current Co-op Students

Addendum to the Work Education Form – for working outside of your contract hours

Co-op Calendar Semester 2

Log Sheet – Weekly Activity Report

Employability Skills – for Weekly Activity Report

Policies and Procedures for CHCI Coop 2015

Course Outline

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For New Students and Parents

What is Cooperative Education?

Co-operative Education (Co-op) is a structured experiential learning course allowing students to gain valuable work experience within local universities, businesses, industries, research facilities and/or community service organizations.

The course is designed to complement students’ personal strengths, interests and educational needs. Students participate in a workplace setting while exploring a possible career choice.

CHCI Presentation

WRDSB Promotional Video

WRDSB Website

Our Employers for Semester 1 2016

How do I get enrolled in Co-op?

Application Form

If you are 16 years of age and have earned 16 credits, talk to your guidance counsellor, your co-op teacher or go to the co-op office B219. Complete an application and wait to be interviewed for a spot in the morning or afternoon and semester 1 or 2 class.

Note: Military, Police, Fire Department, Health and Child Care placements will require additional qualifications and screening. This website will keep you up to date with information sessions and deadlines regarding admissions.

Where can I work?

The Waterloo Region District School Board offers its teachers a database of over 9,000 jobs that are available. Your co-op teacher will assist you in finding the right placement based on your skills, interests, experience and courses taken at Cameron Heights.

What other benefits does Co-op offer?

You will earn multiple credits towards your high school diploma. Two Co-op credits can fulfill the OSSD compulsory requirements.
Confirm career decisions before starting post-secondary education.
Develop marketable skills necessary for success in the workplace.
Maintain a high level of commitment to the workplace and be considered for the workplace earning part-time status and dollars after your co-op placement obligations.

The student participates in 3 components of the course:

Pre-placement – three weeks instruction is provided on health and safety, workplace ethics, human rights, confidentiality, resume development and interview skills.
Work Placement –for 16 weeks the students work in a career area of their choice under the supervision and training of a skilled worker.
Integration – opportunity for students to analyze and share their workplace experiences, techniques and principles learned at the placement

Students with a minimum of 16 credits are encouraged to apply to the Co-operative Education program. Co-op provides students with the opportunity to:

test drive a career (confirm your career choice before choosing your post-secondary destination)
build skills by working one on one with a co-worker
attain hands on experience
overcome the problem of “no job without experience and no experience without a job” by putting real work on your résumé.

The Ministry of Education endorses co-operative education as an integral part of any high school program. Up to two credits in co-operative education can count towards the 18 compulsory credits needed to earn a high school diploma.

Students can add 1 additional credit in English, or French as a second language, or a Native language, or a classical or an international language, or social sciences and the humanities, or Canadian and world studies, or guidance and career education, or cooperative education**
In addition is 1 additional credit in health and physical education, or the arts, or business studies, or cooperative education**
New, is 1 additional credit in science (Grade 11 or 12), or technological education, or computer studies, or cooperative education

Students in a co-operative education course have the opportunity to:

develop personal management skills such as teamwork and communication
increase job-specific and technical skills
earn hours towards an apprenticeship and/or be signed on for an apprenticeship
secure references from local employers in their chosen fields
gather evidence that may be used to enhance their employment portfolios
develop a network of contacts in their fields of interest
gaining practical work-experience in particular field will enhance their applications to specialty programs at the college or university level

Co-operative Education allows you to:

build many important and helpful relationships
get prepared for your future career
use a variety of skills to complete many tasks
participate in creating amazing memories

Co-Op Program Outline

Program Objectives

Students will:

gain practical work experience and transferable, marketable skills while earning credits towards graduation.
generate a positive attitude for work and increase self-confidence.
establish appropriate career goals and ease the transition from secondary school to further education or work.
gain practical experience with technology and other workplace equipment.
develop appropriate interpersonal skills.
form a positive work ethic.

Program Components
The Co-op Program is divided into 3 components:

Pre-Placement
Work Placement
In-class Integration

The Pre-Placement Component

All Co-operative Education students participate in a pre-placement session of approximately 20 – 30 hours that emphasizes skills necessary to succeed in a competitive interview process and to begin a new job. The pre-placement component has students in the classroom each day for 2 full periods for approximately 3-4 weeks (depending on when the student finds a placement). Topics covered in pre-employment include:

Expectations of Co-op
Job Search and Preparation
Self-Assessment
Resume Writing / Cover Letters / Application Forms
Job Interview Skills
Health and Safety
Human Rights and Harassment
Logs / Journal Writing

The Work Placement Component

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that the total number of co-op hours (minimum of 180 hours) is attained and to complete the contract according to the date written on the work education agreement. Students usually spend half days (a.m. or p.m.) at the work placement for the semester. This scheduling is dependent on their in-school timetable. In most situations, the students will spend a minimum of 3 – 3.5 hours per day in their work placements. Each employer will receive a calendar outlining in-school days, school holidays and work schedule.

In order to provide the student and the employer with the best possible Co-op experience, a personalized learning plan will be developed by the teacher, the student, and the employer. The plan will outline the work skills, specific tasks, and responsibilities of the student while at the work placement. This plan will be begun by the third week of work placement.

The Co-op teacher will be responsible for monitoring the student at the work placement a minimum of 3 times per credit over the course of the placement. Employers will also complete an evaluation of the initial interview as well as performance appraisals over the work term. Students must complete time sheets and journals every week and return them to the Co-op teacher at the designated location by the designated time.

The Integration Component

While at their workplaces, students will return to the classroom one-half day approximately every week to participate in integration activities. The purpose of integration is to ensure the student is reflecting on a number of issues related to the co-op placement and the experience, and to provide the student with some on-going support and the ability to network and share their experiences with their peers. Topics will include:

Teamwork and Communication
Initiative and Positive Attitude
Conflict Resolution
Post Secondary Options
Effective goal Setting
Workplace Legislation
Self-Awareness and Self-Image/Esteem (Personality Dimensions)
Unions and Federations
Co-op Career Fair
Developing an Employability Portfolio

Student Responsibilities

In-school Related Responsibilities:

Regular attendance every day during pre-placement session in September/February as well as integration sessions as scheduled in your outline from your teacher
Submit weekly activity sheet and journals every Monday
Submit employer evaluations on the specified dates
Participate in the Cameron Career Fair

Out-of-school Related Responsibilities:

Before students start their placements, they will sign a Work Education Agreement Form, which will outline their responsibilities. These include:

Regular attendance and punctuality both in school and on-the-job
Completing all required assignments both in school and on-the-job
Abiding by the rules of the company where the student is placed as well as school rules and regulations
Working the agreed-upon hours and dates as per Work Education Agreement Form
Working in a courteous, honest and business-like manner
Meeting employer expectations of dress and behaviour
Adhering to company health and safety standards and regulations
Notifying training supervisors and co-op teacher well before starting time if unable to report to work due to illness or injury
Reporting any workplace accidents immediately to both the employer and the teacher
Maintaining strict confidentiality regarding workplace matters

Employer’s Agreement

When employers agree to accept co-op students at the workplace, they accept several responsibilities. These include:

Providing the student with the type of training outlined in the PPLP as determined by the teacher and the employer
Providing a safe working environment and safety instruction
Accepting the student as a regular trainee and providing a full orientation
Keeping accurate, signed records of attendance, lates and days absent for evaluation purposes
Completing a minimum of two student evaluations per term to be shared with the student and submitted by the student as required

Classroom Policies Regarding the Use of Electronics:

Cell Phones, Personal Electronic Devices: Cell phones and personal electronic devices must be turned off. You are responsible for adhering to the instructions provided by your teacher. You will be asked to report to the office and leave the electronic device with the school’s administration team (secretary or a vice-principal). A signed permission form must accompany your return to class.

Computer Usage During Scheduled Classes: Studies and feedback have identified that instant messaging, (Facebook, Twitter, etc.), e-chats, checking personal email, surfing, shopping, gaming activities, etc., distract other students and detract from learning. These activities and the personal use of computers are not allowed during class time. Students involved in this behaviour during a class will be required to leave the room and report to the office. A signed permission form must accompany your return to class.

Media Articles

Job Interviews:

Looking for a job in the Arctic? – click here to see if the job is for you

Ethics in the Workplace:

Article – Sleeping on the job

Article – UW café worker fired for coffee, food giveaways

Job Trends:

Research – People without Jobs and Jobs without People – Rick Miner 2010

Work-Life Balance – Top 25 Jobs

Work Habits:

Radio Interview – Laptops in the Classroom Distracting Students

Radio Interview – Neuroscientist warns about the dangers of multitasking