What is Cooperative Education?

Cooperative Education is an educational program that integrates classroom theory with practical experience in the workplace. The program is based on a partnership between the school and a business or community organization. It involves the participation of students, teachers and placement supervisors. This is a credit-earning program.

Teachers are responsible for selecting students for the program. They work with placement supervisors and subject-related teachers to develop a Personalized Placement Learning Plan (PPLP) that is designed to complement the students’ strengths, interests, and needs, thus enhancing the students’ preparation for the future.

Placement supervisors guide the student’s learning through appropriate training and supervision. The supervisor meets with the teacher to assist with the development of the Personalized Placement Learning Plan (PPLP) and to provide formative evaluation of the student’s work performance.

Cooperative Education may be the culmination of a series of experiential learning opportunities that include job shadowing, job twinning and work experience. It is an integral part of School-work Transition Programs, including Specialized Programs such as the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), International Cooperative Education Program (ICE), High Performance Athlete Program, Alternate Education Programs and SALEP Programs. Cooperative Education is also recognized as an excellent program for students to gain a “step-up” for entry into post-secondary institutions.

Health & Safety

Health and Safety instruction for students participating in Cooperative Education Programs and work experience is the shared responsibility of the teacher and the placement supervisor. Students in specialized placements such as medical institutions, or those participating in the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) will have specific safety guidelines they will have to adhere to in order to be eligible to participate.

Insurance Coverage

Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)

Most students participating in a Cooperative Education Program are covered under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997. To ensure coverage, a Ministry of Education Work Education Agreement form must be completed and signed by all parties prior to student placement. This insurance coverage, arranged through the Ministry of Education, applies only to the hours stated on the Work Education Agreement. If an amendment to the hours stated on the Work Education Agreement is required, a note (signed by all parties) must be appended to the Work Education Agreement Form in order to ensure insurance coverage for the student. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain this approval.

Students whose training station is outside the province / country - for example our International Cooperative Education students – are covered under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act for up to six months while at their workplace in the host province or country.

Students, who in special circumstances (such as Specialized Programs) receive an hourly wage or salary, must be covered by the employer for Workplace Safety and Insurance Act coverage.

If students stay at their placement beyond the hours stated on their Work Education Agreement and become part-time or full-time employees of the placement and are paid, Workplace Safety and Insurance coverage becomes the responsibility of the employer. The student should ensure that this coverage is in place, as these hours are outside of the credit-earning program.

Liability Insurance

Students and training organizations are insured against a lawsuit arising out of the negligence of the student while performing the duties of the co-op placement. The Board does not cover personal injuries to the student.

Student Accident Insurance

Student Accident Insurance is made available to all York Region District School Board students. This insurance is optional and is paid for by students and parents. All Cooperative Education students are strongly encouraged to purchase a policy.

Remuneration

Students do not normally receive a salary or wage for the hours stated on their Work Education Agreement as this is an education program in which students earn credits. Students, however, are permitted to receive an honorarium or an expense and/or transportation allowance from their placement.

If students stay at their placement beyond the hours specified on the Work Education Form, they may be hired as employees and paid. Such an arrangement shall not involve the school or the teacher.

Cost

Participation in some placements may involve additional costs to students or parents. Please check with the Community Based Education Head in your school to find out what options are available to provide assistance to those students whose financial circumstances make it difficult for them to participate.

For more information about Cooperative Education Programs, see the Community Based Education Head or Guidance/Career Education Head.