Welcome to Co-op at Unionville HS!
Cooperative Education is an educational program that integrates classroom theory with practical experience in the workplace. The program is based on a partnership between the school and a business or community organization. It involves the participation of students, teachers and placement supervisors. This is a credit-earning program. Teachers work with students to ensure that this is the appropriate program, as well as securing suitable placements.
How Can Co-op Help You?
- Allows you to get real-life experience in the workplace
- Gives you hands-on learning and a chance to try a possible career option
- Helps you make decisions about your future
- Help you find out what it’s really like to work at a job
- Show you what career opportunities are out there related to your field of interest
- Provide experience and a reference to add to your resume
- Satisfy Group 1,2,3 requirements when you earn your co-op Credits
What Are the Benefits?
Co-op provides you with an opportunity to:
- develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes through hands-on experience
- explore a career in order to make informed educational and career decisions
- develop maturity and self-confidence
- strengthen employability skills
- gain valuable work experience
- develop networking opportunities
- earn credits towards your OSSD
- complete the program requirements of the Specialist High Skills Major
- participate in specialized programs such as OYAP (Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program) and ICE (Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship) events
- "step-up" for entry into post-secondary institutions
Co-op and Your School Day
- Co-op occupies two periods (two credits) on your timetable
- Your placement happens during the school day along with your other classes
- Experiential learning opportunity for a half day for the entire semester
- You can also complete a 4 credit program (full day)
Sample Timetables
| Morning Co-op | Afternoon Co-op |
|---|---|
| Period 1 – Co-op | Period 1 – Regular Class |
| Period 2 – Co-op | Period 2 – Regular Class |
| Period 3 – Lunch | Period 3 – Lunch |
| Period 4 – Regular Class | Period 4 – Co-op |
| Period 5 – Regular Class | Period 5 – Co-op |
Co-op and You
- Co-op is for Grade 11 or 12 students
- Every student is eligible to experience a career of his/her choosing
- Co-op teachers work with community partners to secure a placement for every student
- Co-op teacher visits you regularly during your placement time over the semester
- PPE will be worn in in-person placements as required
- Virtual placements are available but can not be guaranteed
See our Future Careers page for related career placements.
How Do I Sign Up?
- At course selection time, go online to the Co-operative Education Section of the course calendar in My Pathway Planner
- Select the correct co-op course (Gr. 11/12-2 credit or 4 credit), and add it to your course selections
- Complete the co-op application form by following the link and instructions on My Pathway Planner
- You will need to use your GAPPS email to do this. Answer a few questions to fill in an online copy of the co-op application. It will be emailed to your GAPPS email account. You can forward your GAPPS to another email
- Print the application, have it signed, have the two teacher references completed and submit everything to the Co-op Office Drop Box
- A deadline will be given for submission of your Completed Application and two teacher references on Pathway Planner
Staff
- J. Minos - Department Head
- M. Sanchez
All Cooperative Education Teachers at Unionville High School may be reached by calling or leaving a voice mail message at: 905-479-2787, Ext. 220