Co-operative Education for Educators
 
We all have a stake in the education of our youth. Well-educated young people become skilled workers. A skilled labour force means economic prosperity for our province. That’s why the Nova Scotia Department of Education is bringing the worlds of work and school together.
Youth need to see their education in action. Co-op courses allow students to bridge the gap between school and work. They get hands-on training in a real job in their home community. They also get classroom training that teaches them about the working world.
Co-op courses help students plan for their future. The more co-op courses students take, the more options they can explore.
But co-op is just one way employers and schools are coming together.
Others include :

• classroom visits, career fairs, workplace tours, and job shadowing
• consultation on curriculum content and standards
• community service projects
• short-term work placements
• Options and Opportunities Program
• Workit Youth Apprenticeship initiatives

Visit http://www.ednet.ns.ca/ to discover the program that’s right for you or your organization.

How Does Co-operative Education Benefit Students?

Co-operative education provides students with the opportunity to:

• make connections between school and work and to explore a career of interest before finalizing plans for post secondary education, training, or employment
• see the relevance of their classroom learning in a work setting
• develop the essential skills and work habits required in the workplace and acquire an understanding of workplace expectations
• gain valuable experience from the workplace to help build the personal growth and social skills needed in today’s workplace and to develop their résumés for post-secondary programs and future employment
• experience authentic and purposeful learning outside the school/classroom setting

“Co-op has given me a hands-on approach to learning and has helped me choose my career path”
- Co-op Student

How Are Co-operative Education Programs Delivered?

• Co-operative education placements are available in many types of work settings, reflecting the wide range of student interests and abilities. Co-operative education may be offered as half-credit or fullcredit courses with courses offerings at the grades 10, 11, and/or 12 level. Placement time can be completed during regular school hours, evening, weekends, holidays, or summer. This will depend upon employer availability and the nature of the career explored. Flexibility and creative scheduling are major variables in program success.
• Access to co-operative education programs is based on student readiness and program availability.
• Co-operative education should be available to any student in high school who has reached the age of 16 and who, in the opinion of the co-op teacher, is socially mature and ready for the independent nature of credit delivery.

The Six Essential Components of a Co-op Credit

All essential components must be present for the learning outcomes of the co-op credit to be achieved. The components are as follows:

Pre Course Interview

Every student enrolled in a co-op course must complete an application and interview process. A teacher should use this opportunity to assist the student with career expectation and readiness.

Finding the Appropriate Placement

Here the teacher acts as a career coach. Grades, interests, and placement understanding are reviewed. Student suitability for placement availability and expectations are discussed.

Placement Assessment

Teachers must visit all placements each time a student is placed. Placement assessment forms are completed and learning agreements signed. Placement assessment must be communicated to parents/guardians.

Classroom Component

A 25-hour in-school component must be completed by all students. The majority of this time is preplacement preparation, but teachers are encouraged to meet with students during and after the 100-hour placement period for reflection.

Learning Assessment and Evaluation Plan

All students must have a learning plan agreed to by parents, employer, teacher, and student. This plan outlines placement descriptor, tasks, duties, and responsibilities of the student and the functions a student will observe, perform with help, and perform independently. This plan must also include assessment expectations.

Monitoring

Teachers should visit students at placement once every 25 hours. This would require four contacts minimum for any co-op placement. These placement visits are for the purposes of risk management, learning assessment and evaluation plan development, problem solving, and employer appreciation.