2. What is Co-op? Co-op is an opportunity for you to:  Gain practical work experience in areas that complement your personal strengths, interests, and educational needs.

3.  Co-op can help you make one of the most important decisions of your life.  By attending school and gaining valuable work experience in the community, you can experience the best of both worlds.

4.  Explore career opportunities and confirm career decisions before starting post-secondary education including apprenticeships.  Build an evidence-based career portfolio to support the application process for work, college or university.

5.  Establish contacts in the workplace for networking opportunities and gain references for future employment.  Earn multiple credits towards your high school diploma.  Develop the marketable skills necessary for success in the real world.

6. General Information and Prerequisites Co-operative education course must be tied to a related in-school course. The related course may be taken prior to or at the same time as the co-operative education course. Includes a classroom component (pre-employment and integration activities), and a placement component. 16 completed credits needed to apply Excellent attendance record

7. Procedure for Applying February – Course selection - Student’s choose Co-op. * March – Guidance gives a list of potential candidates for co-op. March/April – Information session for all potential co-op students. (You will receive an application form and two teacher reference forms. Required completion date will be given at that time.) April/May – Final selection of co-op students. * Three co-op codes to be used on option sheets: COP TEC (For all technical co-op) COP FAS (For Fast Forward students in any co-op area) COP GEN (For all other co-op areas)

8. The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) is a specialized cooperative education program that enables high school students to get a head start on their career as a skilled trades professional while still in high school. Students earn credits toward their apprenticeship and high school diploma - at the same time with no delay in graduation! What is OYAP?

9. Potential Placements

10. Q & A What are centralized placements? How do I find my placement? How do I get to my placement? If I know someone who will take me on as co-op student, can I go there? How many hours per day do I have to work at my placement? Is there any paper or bookwork involved with co-op? How do I get signed up as an apprentice? Do you get paid? If I am taking a Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM), does my co-op have to be tied to one of the major courses? What is the difference between Co-op & OYAP? Do you get a bus pass?

11. The more information you have the easier and the better decision you can make!!! The opportunities for co-op are unlimited! For more information, see Mr. Cipolla in A117