About cooperative education

Cooperative education (co-op) courses allow high school students to earn credits by completing a work placement in the community along with classroom learning. All Ontario school boards with high schools offer co-op courses.

Students sitting at a conference table wearing medical scrubs, being spoken to by a supervisor wearing a lab coat and a stethoscope.

Co-op courses let high school students gain hands-on experience in real work environments. These learning opportunities help them:

  • experience hands-on learning
  • test-drive career options
  • make connections between their classroom and the real world
  • earn credits towards their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) through workplace experience
  • develop skills and habits required in the workplace
  • learn transferable skills that will support them in any pathway they choose
  • build a resumé for their postsecondary plans and future employment

Students complete a minimum of 110 hours for each co-op credit they earn.

There is no limit on the number of co-op courses a student can take.

Learn how co-op courses can be used towards graduation requirements.

In the classroom

Students in co-op courses have a cooperative education teacher who ensures that they:

  • learn in safe environments within their community
  • have frequent opportunities to:
    • practice their skills
    • reflect upon and apply their learning
  • explore how to become successful problem-solvers

Students complete classroom learning before, during and after their work placement to:

  • learn about health, safety and well-being in work environments
  • explore industry topics relating to their work placement
  • prepare for job searches and interviews
  • create a learning plan with goals
  • identify and reflect on the new skills and knowledge they gained in their work placement experiences
  • plan how they can transfer their learning to future career and education experiences

In the work placement 

The high school arranges student co-op work placements that must follow Ministry of Education policy and guidelines.

A student and supervisor looking at a tablet in a manufacturing warehouse.

Co-op work placements can take place with community partners in sectors including:

  • agriculture
  • arts and culture
  • business
  • construction
  • healthcare
  • hospitality and tourism
  • information and communication technology
  • justice
  • community safety
  • emergency services
  • manufacturing
  • non-profit
  • education
  • child care
  • transportation
  • and many more

In a co-op work placement, the emphasis is on learning. Work placements are not generally paid, but in some circumstances:

  • schools may allow a student to receive payment
  • community partners or school boards may provide students with an expense and/or transportation allowance or honorarium

Connect with your school’s cooperative education teacher, guidance department or principal to learn more.

Get started with co-op

If your child is interested in taking a co-op course, contact your high school’s cooperative education teacher, guidance department or principal for more information.

Eligibility

Your child can enrol in co-op courses through their high school’s course selection process.

Some work placements have minimum age requirements.

While most students start co-op in Grade 11 or 12, students might be able to start a co-op course as early as Grade 9 if they:

Please contact your cooperative education teacher or guidance department for more details about eligibility and what is available at your child’s school.

Get ahead with work experience in high school

There are many ways to get work experience and learn foundational skills that will support your child throughout their life while in high school.

Two students and their supervisors speaking to each other on a farm.

Co-op courses can be done on their own, or as part of other high school programs, such as:

  • Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP): a high school program that helps students gain experience and the opportunity to become registered apprentices in a skilled trade through co-op courses.
  • Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM): a specialized high school program that lets you focus on a sector and graduate with industry experience and certifications. As part of an SHSM, you will complete co-op courses.

Learn more about how you can explore jobs in the skilled trades in high school.

School boards and educators

Schools and school boards must have a process in place and offer resources to help teachers find and assess co-op work placement opportunities.

Co-op work placements must follow:

Review the cooperative education curriculum and implementation policy.

Accommodations and special education needs

When planning co-op - courses, teachers should find out if students need:

  • accommodations, for example, tailored equipment or teaching strategies
  • modified or alternative learning expectations for the course

English language learners

Students who are learning English as a second or additional language bring rich background knowledge and experience to both the classroom and the community.

Teachers, placement employers and supervisors should:

  • find positive ways to highlight the diverse skills, knowledge and experiences that students who are learning English can bring to the work placement
  • adapt the program to meet the student’s needs

Placement employers and supervisors

If you are interested in becoming a co-op placement employer or supervisor, please contact the school board in your area. Find a school board.

A student being shown something on an office computer by a supervisor.

Co-op courses require strong partnerships between schools and businesses, associations and organizations in the local community.

By becoming a co-op placement employer or supervisor, you give students the chance to:

  • learn expertise and skills in a real work environment
  • access materials and programs outside of the classroom

You guide and support students in their learning by providing them with:

  • safe working and learning environments
  • timely feedback
  • challenging learning experiences

Benefits of being a co-op placement provider

Providing high school students with co-op placements benefits you. Co-op can:

  • give you a source of new talent who may return to your company or organization after they graduate
  • promote positive attitudes toward your organization and industry
  • develop supervisory and leadership skills in your employees
  • help you build relationships and connections with local schools
  • allow your company or organization to complete important tasks
  • invite new and fresh perspectives into your organization