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Cooperative Education
What is cooperative education?
- Cooperative Education (co-op) gives students the opportunity for hands on experience in a career they may choose to pursue in their future.
- Co-op allows students to earn high school credits by integrated course curriculum with learning on a work placement.
- A co-op placement in a skilled trade is referred to as a Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) placement.
Who can participate?
Grade 11 or 12 students in all pathways – apprenticeship, college, community, university, or workplace can participate in a 2 or 4 credit co-op placement.
Benefits
- Gain workplace experience.
- Develop employability skills and work habits.
- Hands-on learning in a safe and encouraging environment in a trade or career of choice.
- Pursue a work placement based on student interests and explore a possible career.
- Connect and build relationships with potential future employers.
- Helps students make informed decisions about future work, careers and education.
- Earn credits toward their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).
- Earn co-op credits at a paid job during night school or summer school co-op.
For additional information:
- OYAP website
- View Night School and/or Summer School Co-op in TLDSB website.
- Talk to your school’s Co-op teacher to discuss options.
Dual Credits
What are Dual Credit programs?
- College courses offered to senior high school students in academic and trades programs.
- Students can earn up to four optional credits through dual credits courses to help them earn their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).
- “Dual” refers to the course recorded on both the high school transcript and college transcript.
- Students sample college work in new learning environments.
Who can participate?
- Grade 11 or 12.
- College capable.
- In specialized programs including, Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM) and Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP). Students who want to explore career paths and experience college.
- Want to explore careers and experience college.
Benefits
- Try out college with the support of a high school teacher
- Support a transition to college or apprenticeship programs.
- May earn certification and support SHSM requirements.
- Get a head start on post-secondary education.
- Increased awareness of post-secondary pathways and careers.
For additional information
- Dual Credit Course Information Sheets
- TLDSB Dual Credit course offerings
- Contact your school’s Guidance Department for more information.
Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program
What is OYAP?
- OYAP is a school-to-work program for students to explore apprenticeship careers after they have completed Grade 10, through the cooperative education program.
- Students can become registered apprentices and begin to work towards becoming certified journeypersons in a skilled trade while completing their secondary school diplomas.
- OYAP participants → students in co-op placements in the skilled trades.
- OYAP registered apprentices → students with signed registered training agreement (r.t.a.’s), who have officially started their apprenticeships.
- OYAP Level 1 accelerated → students selected to participate in the first level of trade school while in their final year of high school.
Who can participate?
- Students must be at least 15 years of age (some workplaces have a minimum age requirement of 16).
- Students must have completed 14 credits.
- Students must be working towards the completion of all OSSD requirements.
Benefits
Students:
- Start a career in the skilled trades while still in high school.
- Gain employability skills and a network with businesses.
- Acquire hours and skills toward the apprenticeship.
- Participate in a hands-on learning experience and application of classroom theory to the workplace.
- Increase awareness of workplace demands, skills, and needs.
Employers:
- Increase employer exposure within the community.
- Access new employees at no cost.
- Help build a skilled workforce and promote youth retention in the community.
- Develop leadership and supervisory skills in employees.
For additional information:
- Learn about TLDSB Level 1 Accelerated OYAP Program Information.
- Employers can visit Ontario’s Hire an apprentice for more information.
- Visit the Skilled Trades Ontario website.
- Contact your school’s Guidance Department for more information.
- Contact TLDSB Pathways team via email.
Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM)
What are SHSM programs?
- SHSM programs allow students to focus their learning on a specific sector.
- All include specific courses, cooperative education placement, certifications, and industry specific opportunities.
- Students graduate with a SHSM Seal and formal recognition on their OSSD.
Who can participate?
- Students in grade 11 or 12 can begin working on SHSM components
- Students in all pathways: apprenticeship, college, university, workplace.
Benefits
- Explore career goals and make decisions about their future.
- Students will customize their secondary school education to suit their interests and talents, and develop specialized knowledge and skills.
- Take high school courses that match their interest and strengths.
- Develop specialized knowledge and skills.
- Gain work experience though co-op.
- Participate in industry training that is recognized by post-secondary educational institutions and sector.
- Free learning opportunities!
For additional information
- Download the TLDSB SHSM program poster
- SHSM page on the Ontario government’s website
- Contact your school’s Guidance Department for more information.
Contact us
If you have any questions, please contact your local school or email the Board office at info@tldsb.on.ca.
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