UNLEASH

Cooperative Education
• Cooperative education programs allow students to earn secondary school credits while
completing a work placement in the community. These programs complement students’
academic programs and are valuable for all students, whatever their postsecondary
destination.
• Co-operative education credits may be used to meet up to two of the 18 compulsory credit
requirements for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). There is no limit to the
number of optional credits that may be earned through co-operative education courses.
• A student’s co-op program consists of a classroom component and a placement. A
cooperative education program comprises, at a minimum, one cooperative education course
and its related curriculum course, on which the cooperative education course is based.
• Prior to their placements, students receive pre-placement orientation including instruction in
health and safety.
• Cooperative education allows students to participate in valuable learning experiences
that help prepare them for the next stage of their lives. The program gives students the
opportunity to develop essential skills and work habits, gain valuable work experience to
build their resume, and to make connections between school and work and to explore
a career of interest before finalizing plans for postsecondary education, training, or
employment.
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