TDSB and DMCI are gearing up for another successful year of co-op! If you are interested in taking co-op during the 2024-2025 school year please take note of the information and dates noted below.

Co-op is an amazing opportunity for all high school students, but students must be willing and able to advocate for what they want. Co-op placements are not simply there waiting to be filled. Rather, placements are found when the co-op teacher and student work together to find an arrangement suitable to the students strengths and needs, abilities and interests. 

In addition, the TDSB hosts a variety of amazing opportunities commonly referred to as "Central Placements". These are desireable co-op placements in high demand throughout the city. Placements include hospitals (medical and non-medical positions alike), trade programs, Uniformed Services, and a variety of arts-, finance- and hospitality-related programs. Co-op teachers have no 'pull' or 'sway' with these programs and students cannot apply through any other means. They are what they are and the deadlines are fixed. To find out more about these programs, the application process and deadlines please scroll down or see Ms. Veneziale.

PLEASE NOTE: Many "Central Placement" require students to apply well in advance of the co-op seemster. The application process starts with your co-op teacher and there is no flexibility with deadlines. As information is made available, announcements will be made in school, in the school newsletter and on this webpage.

 

WHAT IS CO-OP?

Co-op is an experiential learning opportunity open to all students at DMCI. Whether students are bound for university, college, an apprenticeship or the workplace, co-op gives our students the opportunity to develop transferable skills, improve upon work habits and cultivate professional connections required for success. It helps them identify their strengths and interests and provides them with experience and knowledge that can assist with the transition from high school to the workplace or post-secondary education and guide them through the career planning process.

Co-op is a unique program which involves integrating academic study with practical experience in the workplace. Programming is based on a partnership between the school and business/organization and involves the commitment and participation of students, teachers, parents, and the workplace. 

 

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CO-OP FOR STUDENTS?

• a new learning environment
• gain valuable work experience
• awareness of workplace demands and needs
• develop self-knowledge, maturity and self-confidence
• develop and apply knowledge, skills and attitudes 
• build a network for future employment
• earn credits towards secondary diploma
• be better prepared for post-secondary transition
• enhance acceptance possibilities to post-secondary or training programs
• the option to participate in special programs linked to the trades and begin your apprenticeship while still in school

 

HOW DOES CO-OP WORK?

Students can earn 1 – 4 credits over the course of a semester. Students spend the first weeks of their semester in school preparing for their placement (pre-placement classes). Once placed students spend the majority of the semester at the workplace, with regularly scheduled in-school days (integration classes).                                                                                                                         
Pre-placement – first 2-3 weeks of the semester preparing for the workplace

• topics of study include Job Preparation, Health, Safety and Well-being in the Workplace, Rights and Responsibilities
• placements are assessed by the co-op teacher and students take part in placement interviews 

Integration Classes – in class approximately every 3 weeks (Monday)

• students are expected to participate in reflections and group discussions
• topics of study may include Job Market Trends and the Nature of the Workplace, Post-secondary Pathways, Financial Literacy, Leadership and Decision Making

Placement – approximately 4 months 

• student schedules will reflect the needs of their placement (hours typically reflect that of the school day)
• students work towards individual learning goals
• Co-op teacher visits regularly to assess learning through observation and discussion and to provide feedback to the student
• Anyone 18 years of age or older who wish to work with vulnerable members of our community (children, seniors, people with disabilities) MUST complete an online Vulnerable Sector Check  with Toronto Police Services BEFORE their co-op semester begins. It  costs approximately $30 and can take up to 6 weeks to process. Without this form students will NOT be allowed to start placement. Please see Ms. Veneziale to get the required paperwork or go to https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mSRp9oD5qT-aLPgdX9CVKkd6I76HNrwu/view?usp=drive_link
  

 

CENTRAL PLACEMENTS (2024-2025)

The TDSB has partnered with a number of groups throughout the City of Toronto to offer some excellent work placement opportunities to students. Due to student demand, some placements have additional application requirements and deadlines that are set well in advance of the start of co-op. 

If you have any questions please contact your Guidance Counselor or Ms. Veneziale (natalie.veneziale@tdsb.on.ca) immediately

1. Uniformed Services

• Armed Forces (second semester ONLY) – full-time placement – please email Ms. Veneziale directly for all the information –this is a lengthy process so don't put it off – October 31, 2024
• Toronto Police Services – positions are of a clerical nature - lengthy application process – On hold 

2. The Arts – for students interested in performing arts, digital media, film and television

• TDSB Arts Co-op Program (full day students ONLY) – storytelling, dance, visual arts, media arts, film, theatre     https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lAn7SK-4yxQWcuI7qOeRBX4uAR58Zw8m/view
• Stratagem Arts Program (virtual placement, summer students ONLY) – On hold
• xoTO (4-credit ONLY; must be 16 years of age, have 16 credits and be committed to production hours) – film, television, digital media – On hold due to writers strike  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aPHp5MYet69tAs8EkpLRUFymC510WGTy/view

3. Business / Financial

• BMO (virtual / in-person / hybrid) –  placements throughout the financial district, 2-credit placements are limited, 4-credit placements are preferred     https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CORYPKj8NELyy_wOi8F31UMz6pedwCK3/view

4. Hospitality & Tourism

• Be Our Guest – opportunities available through various downtown hotels, restaurants and MTCC – options may include HR, front desk, rooms, sales and reservations, housekeeping, kitchen, concierge      

5. Hospitals – positions include medical (clerical in nature) as well as other areas including gift shop, the trades, professional services, lab work

• North York General Hospital (must be 16 years of age; students are to have advanced abilities in speaking and writing English; TB test results and immunization record is required if students are selected) – placements at the senior's Health Centre and the main site 
• Scarborough Health Network (TB test results and immunization record is required if students are selected) – placements available at Birchmount Site, General Site, or Centenary Site
• University Health Network (TB test results and immunization record is required if students are selected) – placements available at Toronto General, Toronto Western, Princess Margaret, Toronto Rehab
• Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (TB test results and immunization record is required if students are selected) – placements available at the main campus, Holland Centre, St. John's Rehab and the Reactivation Centre

6. The Trades – these programs often require students to attend alternative schools

• PACE (4-credits ONLY, pre-apprenticeship placements) – opportunities include electrician, plumber/pipe trades, carpenter, HVAC, sheet metal, bricklayer placements; regular shift = 7 am to 3 pm
• STEP to Construction (4-credits ONLY, must be at least 16 years old with 14 credits, requires SIN) – students will ... 
  • attend classes for the first 3 weeks of the semester at Northview (student will remain on DMCI roll)
  • spend the majority of their semester traveling to and from a major job site – rotate through a variety of construction jobs – management, the trades, civil engineering, structural engineering, project management, architecture, estimating, urban planning, health & safety, interior design
  • attend George Brown College once a week with the potential to earn a 5th credit      https://drive.google.com/file/d/17JjYe5ASBfgRqvRLI1T3BrElC_03CK7q/view – MAY 15, 2024
• OYAP at TTC (4-credits ONLY; must be at least 16 years old with 14 credits; requires SIN, 2 reference letters) – various positions available as Elevating Devices Mechanic, Plumber, Light Rail Overhead Contact Systems Linesperson, Track Worker; start time 7 am    https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MnQFEoWhw93f5DWfL3Urlqle8PqfbdH_VCmHiKYwZVY/edit – APRIL 12, 2024
• Regular OYAP – to be organized with your co-op teacher
• Specialized OYAP (4-credit ONLY –1 year program for grade 12 students) – operated out of Central Tech with opportunities related to Carpentry, Cooking, Cosmetology, Electrical, Plumbing, Transportation
• Accelerated OYAP (semester 2, 4-credit ONLY; must be at least 16 years of age with 24 credits (in a position to graduate); requires SIN) – intensive program that combines a co-op placement with an 8 week block of Level 1 training at a college or union training centre; 18 trades to choose from     https://oyaptdsb.com/accelerated-oyap

 

HOW TO APPLY FOR CO-OP?

1. Include COOP on your course selection sheet or see your Guidance Counselor to make changes to your timetable.

2. Complete the Co-op Application - the form is the same from year to year. Co-op Application Form

3. Submit your completed application with a copy of your Credit Counseling Summary (see Guidance) and a copy of your Resume to Ms. Veneziale in the DMCI Library or Library book drop off.

4. Students will be notified, by the Co-op Teacher, should there be an interview. 
 

Thank-you to Our Co-op Partners

DMCI would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our partners past and present. Our students are always excited to start their work placements and contribute to their community.

 

Abu Huraira Active Green + Ross Agueci Calabretta Law Anthony's Cafe Apple Tree Dental for Kids Aristo Wellness Centre  Big City Studios Bier Markt Blott Law BMO Brimley-Lawrence Animal Clinic Cadillac Fairview - Fairview Mall Canadian Tire Century 21 - Atria (Samantha Wilson) City Buick Cohen LLP Crestview PS DBK Salon (Leslie & York Mills) Donway Dental Elevated Body Adornment Enzo's Automotive Fitness Connection Gateway Electric Gateway PS GO Dodge Don Mills GoodLife Fitness Greenland PS Greenview Lodge Senior Care Residence Grenoble PS HA Pharmacy Humberview Mobility Import Auto Jack Astor's JL Electric Katie's Cakes Laird Eglinton Dental Leros Grill Long & McQuade Longo's - Laird

Malcolm McGrath Cabinetry Mannville Auto Repair Maple Cabinetry McCann Realty Group Mr Clean National Thrift Norman Ingram PS North Toronto Animal Hospital North York General Hospital Ontario Science Centre Oriole Landscaping Physio-Dynamics & Sports Medicine Physiomobility RE/MAX West Revelo Roots Salvation Army Thrift Store Scarborough Toyota Shank's Plumbing Sherbourne Animal Hospital Shoppers Drug Mart (Don Mills & Lawrence, Underhill, Overlea Blvd, St. Clair & O'Connor) Sigmund Soudack and Associates Sloane PS Sobeys Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Sunset Grill - Eglinton/Laird TDSB - Eco Dept The Art of Play Thrift Store TNO - Food Cooperative Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation Toyota on the Park Toys R Us  Transnomis Ultimate Fades (Yoneg & Eglinton W) Wee Leprechauns Daycare Wimpy’s Diner Wynford TWG Yali Electric YMCA

 

If you are interested in learning more about the Co-op program at Don Mills CI or you would like to host a Don Mills student please contact Ms. Veneziale at natalie.veneziale@tdsb.on.ca.

 

"Co-op education is an essential part of the Experiential Learning component that students need for success. Students get to try on a career, get shown a real life workplace and learn about what kind of work they excel at."