Co-op Application

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 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 (semester 2, 2024-2025)

The TDSB has partnered with a number of groups throughout the city to offer some excellent work placement opportunities to students (central placements link). 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

Accelereated OYAP opportunities are as follows ...

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 

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.

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."