Cooperative Education (Coop) is a 2 or 4 credit workplace course. It is a great course for all students regardless of their pathway. If you are interested in a specific career or just want a workplace experience this is a good course for you. If you are reliable/punctual, keen to learn, listen and observe, coop will give you this opportunity. Coop allows students to learn by giving them job training or opportunities to gain insights to a career of their choice. To be successful, students must be motivated, mature, be able to take instruction from an employer, have confidence in themselves and travel outside of school to a workplace. Students will gain transferable essential skills and a better understanding about employment choices for their future. For students pursing a university pathway, grade 11 is a good year to plan to take coop and for students pursuing college or apprenticeship, grade 12 will be a better time to enrol. Anything is possible.
Coop courses are compulsory as part of a SHSM diploma. This course allows for the opportunity to work in the community to develop skills and workplace habits required for a successful pathway of employment. Placement options can be paid or unpaid and there is a summer school coop for students who can not take it during the school year.
Coop allows students to participate in specialised TDSB placements such as Accelerated OYAP (Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program) and Dual Credits (earn a college credit and high school credit).