Welcome to the Co-operative Education Department!
Co-operative Education (Co-op) is a unique educational program that involves a partnership between the classroom and the world of work. It is an extension of the classroom designed to develop job related skills while acquiring 2 to 4 credits.
Coop is a mandatory component to accomplishing the Specialist High Skills Major in Sports at PHS. An extra Certificate at graduation is awarded if all components of the SHSM have been met in the time required.
What is OYAP?
Student FAQs
Q: Do I get paid in co-op?
A: No, you do not get paid in co-op. You are paid in credits depending on the hours worked at the placement. The following are general guidelines. 190 hours for 2 credits, 300 hours for 3 credits and 410 hours for 4 credits. placement to ensure health and safety measures and meaningful learning are assured and provide the employer with information regarding the co-op program.
Q: Is it okay if I arrange my own placement?
A: Yes, we love to see you take initiative for your learning. However, co-op teachers will visit the work place before the beginning of the placement to ensure health and safety measures and meaningful learning are assured and provide the employer with information regarding the co-op program.
Q: Can I still play sports and participate in school activities after school even though I am in co-op?
A: Yes, you are a high school student first and sports and clubs are all important parts of your high school experience. Although, you may have to alter your work placement hours to accommodate both your employer and your after school commitments – many students balance both each semester.
Parent FAQs
Q: Does the school pay for my child’s transportation to and from the co-op placement?
A: No. Part of the responsibilities of a co-op student is arranging their own transportation, whether it is getting a ride, taking a city bus, walking or riding their bike on a daily basis to and from co-op.
Q: Is there potential for part time jobs or apprenticeships?
A: Yes, very much so! Many, high performing students have been hired after the completion of the co-op term and many have continued into apprenticeships sponsored by their employers. Remember, businesses are actively seeking bright, enthusiastic young people and co-op is a great way for business to recruit the next generation.
Q: My teen already has a job, can they use that for their co-op placement?
A: In the majority of instances, we place students where they would like to go as a career choice as we want to use their co-op experience to really “test drive” their career choice and try to avoid using their part-time employment for their co-op placement.
Department Staff
Mr. Tilt andrew_tilt@wrdsb.ca Coop Contact
Mr. Houwer adrian_houwer@wrdsb.ca
Mr. Thompson justin_thompson@wrdsb.ca
Courses and curriculum documents
The course code chosen depends on the subject placement best matching the workplace. The teacher will determine the course code once the student is placed.
Co-op credits are worth 2 credits and need to be paired in the student’s schedule as an A/B course or most often as a C/D course. A 4-credit package would be an all day coop placement.
Please read the course description under Cooperative Education.
Gr 11 & 12 curriculum document
