Co-operative Education

Co-operative education is a planned learning experience in the community for which students earn credits. The work placement enables students to earn credits by integrating classroom theory with learning experiences at the work site. The placements enable students to apply and extend their knowledge and to practise and refine the skills acquired in related courses.

Co-operative education involves partnerships with the community. The collaboration of students, teachers and placement supervisors is required for the development of personalized placement learning plans. Students are monitored by teachers, and are supported in their learning by the placement supervisor and Co-operative education teachers.

A co-operative education placement in a skilled trade is referred to as an OYAP (Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program) placement. More information.

Students going on to the apprenticeship, college, university, workplace or independent living are encouraged to participate in co-operative education.

The database of learning opportunities to which Peel students have access contains over 5,000 employers.

All schools provide a very broad range of co-operative education opportunities. Information on these programs is available from the Guidance & Career Education department and the co-operative education teachers in your school.

Employers

Interested in becoming involved as an employer in our co-operative education program?

Co-operative education is the fastest growing area of secondary school education. Co-operative education will be satisfying and productive for you and your co-op student.

Please refer to the following:

• Employer letter
• Guide for employers
• Adolescents in your workplace
• Getting your organization involved
• Employer lead sheet

For further information, please contact the co-operative education placement officer at 905-890-1010 ext. 2348.

The Placement Supervisor's Guide provides an overview of the expectations for and the responsibilities of a placement supervisor who agrees to have a co-op or work experience student.

Specialized OYAP programs available

Centralized OYAP program - General Carpenter/Carpenters' Union Local 27

Regional OYAP programs:

• Construction Craft Worker/L.I.U.N.A.  Local 183. For more information contact Mr. Doug McKeen at North Peel Secondary School, 905-791-6770.
• OYAP Cook/Humber College program and teacher reference form. For more information, contact Suzanne Primeau, OYAP Resource Teacher, Peel District School Board, 905-890-1010 ext. 2525.

Check the current version of your school Chart Your Course Common Course Calendar for specific course offerings.

Centralized co-operative education programs

Within the database, there are organizations that provide centralized placements. These organizations have specifically requested to be contacted only through the Co-op education placement officer at the HJA Brown Education Centre.

The timeframe for applying to these organizations listed below is normally Apr. 30 for semester 1 and Nov. 30 for semester 2.

If you would like further information about eligibility requirements for the centralized employers and an application form, speak to the co-operative education teacher at your school.

Employers and positions available may vary from semester to semester.

The centralized organizations are:

• Army Reserve
• Brampton Civic Hospital (Non Clinical)
• Brampton Fire and Emergency Services
• Donato Salon and Spa
• City of Brampton
• Credit Valley Hospital (Clinical)
• Credit Valley Hospital (Non Clinical)
• Lexsan Electrical Inc
• Mississauga Business Times
• Mississauga News
• Peel Regional Police
• Rogers Television
• Speigel Nichols Fox LLP
• Trillium Health Centre

Do not contact the above organizations except through your school co-operative education teachers.

For applications to other hospitals in the GTA area, contact your co-operative education teacher.

There is an opportunity for co-op students to work in an elementary school as a learning technologies support person. If interested, please see full dtails and contact your Co-operative education teacher to apply. This is an ideal opportunity for semestered, non-semestered and half-day students.

There are also opportunities for co-op students to work with the computer technology support specialist in the schools. Contact your co-opertative Education teacher to apply.

There is an opportunity for students to work as custodial assistants in our elementary schools.  Contact your co-opertative Education teacher to apply.

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