Co-op Department

What is Cooperative Education?  

• A unique educational program that integrates all aspects of the 6 C’s and Leadership (Character, Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Citizenship, Creativity)  in the classroom course expectations with practical experience in the workplace
• A full semester planned learning experience for which credits are earned

Why take Co-op?

• Make informed educational/career decisions
• Co-op provides an ‘edge’ over others entering the workforce, apprenticeships, college, and university
• Develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes through hands-on experience
• Develop maturity and self-confidence
• Develop/strengthen employability skills
• Gain valuable work experience and networking opportunities
• Earn credits

Types of Cooperative Education Programs at Bill Hogarth Secondary School

• Subject-based Co-op (described below)                       
• Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program: OYAP
• Specialist Health Skills Major Sectors: Health & Wellness, Business, Information Communication Technology, Art & Culture,  Construction, and Transportation
• Militia Co-op        

Subject-based Co-op Fields Available                      

• Accounting/Banking/Finance/Insurance
• Business (Marketing, Human Resources, Consultants)
• Computers (Programming, Hardware, Website Design)
• Trades (Electrical, Automotive, HVAC, Plumbing, Construction, Truck & Coach, Motorcycle, Chef, Baker, Hairstyling, Child Care Practitioner, Millwork, plus more)
• Engineering (civil and mechanical)
• Health Care (Hospitals, Physiotherapy, Gerontology, Nursing, Diagnostic Imaging, Cardiology, Dermatology, Urgent Care, Pediatrics, Orthopedic Surgeon, Dental, Orthodontic, Veterinary, Urology, Optometry, and Lab)
• Social Workers
• Hospitality (Hotels and Restaurants)
• Lawyers/Court House
• York Region Police/Security/Fire/Paramedic
• Recreation and Sport (eg. Golf Course Management, Fitness, YMCA)
• Teaching (K-8, plus French)
• Journalism
• Interior Design
• Graphic Design, Film Production
• And many more..........  

How do I sign up for Co-op?

• In February: during course selection week
• Indicate Co-op on your course selection sheet choose Coop (grade 11 or 12)
• In May:  you will receive an email with next steps to complete a coop application

Testimonials:

With this program, I am able to test drive a career of my choice (in my case, journalism). In a world where universities are looking for students with as much field related experience as possible, Co-op is a great way to get experience, build contacts, and receive high school credits for it! As well, you can choose to apply to the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program for even more experience and certifications.

 ~ Jake M

I am a Co-op student who works at Markham Stouffville Hospital in the Cardiorespiratory Department...On the job I gain valuable skills as the tasks I do require strong communication and organisation. There are so many things I love about my placement. My coworkers are super nice and are always teaching me new things whether I am watching a test or we are having a conversation.

  ~ Fatima A 

As a Co-op student with a placement in the (electrical) trades, the co-op experience has given me the opportunity to experience different types of work and learning environments as well as getting a taste of what my future career may look like...My job is to assist a registered electrician in whatever way possible all while picking up on techniques and asking questions. My tasks can include gathering and preparing materials, running wire, pulling wire through pipe, wiring and labelling receptacles, and much more. Compared to traditional school, the co-op experience is a lot more hands on. 

  ~ Trevor W

In this placement I continue to gain hands-on experience and skills in the field of animal care working with a variety of snakes, turtles, tortoises, skinks, lizards and more. While I work independently, I also get to work as a member of a team with my coworkers on a variety of tasks from answering questions from the public, to meal prep and feeding as well as cleaning...I am treated like a coworker instead of a student in a classroom which I personally find makes me feel more welcomed and passionate about work. Overall I think that Co-op is an amazing program that has made my high school experience so much more meaningful, enjoyable and has taught me so many skills that you just can't gain in a traditional classroom or online environment.

   ~ Liam R

 

  Information for Employers

Co-operative Education is the school and community partners working together to provide a learning opportunity for students.

The benefits to employers include:

• Opportunity to preview and train potential future employees
• Develop supervisory skills in existing employees
• Create an environment of community involvement
• Help develop a positive student attitude to our community
• Improve your communication with the local school
• Contribute to youth employment in the community

The responsibilities of employers include:

• Interview the student to determine suitability
• Deliver specific health and safety training as it relates to your business
• Provide relevant experience in a safe learning environment
• Develop learning expectations for the student, in collaboration with the co-op teacher and the student
• Provide training and supervision
• Assist the co-op teacher to complete assessments of the students performance
• Verify student hours weekly
• Encourage students to make connections in the community
• Report concerns to the Co-op teacher

Bill Hogarth Secondary School offers the following Cooperative Education Programs:

 Cooperative Education Program, Subject Based Co-op

The Cooperative Education Program integrates classroom theory with practical experience in the workplace. Co-op is based on a partnership between the school, a business or community organization and involves the participation of students, teachers and the workplace. It is a credit-earning program. Cooperative Education programming is the foundation to many specialized programs such as: Militia, Dual Credit, Ontario Youth Apprentice Program.

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program  |  OYAP

 The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) offers Ontario students the opportunity to train as apprentices while completing their Ontario Secondary School Diploma. The program encourages students to consider career choices in the skilled trades, a sector which is experiencing rapid growth in employment and job satisfaction.

 

Co-op for our School’s Six SHSM Sectors

The SHSM program is a specialized program that allows students to focus their learning on one of the following industry sectors: Health & Wellness Sector, Business, Information Communication Technology, Arts and Culture, Transportation and Construction. It also assists in their transition after graduation to apprenticeship training, college, university or the workplace. Successful SHSM students earn a SHSM Red Seal embossed on their OSSD and an official SHSM Record documenting the SHSM credits earned, industry certifications, and training received as a part of their SHSM program.

 

Dual Credit: Accelerated OYAP

Dual Credit Programs and Dual Credit Accelerated OYAP allow students, while they are still in Secondary School, to take college or apprenticeship courses that count towards both the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and a postsecondary certificate, diploma, or degree, or an apprenticeship certification.

 

Militia Cooperative Education

Militia Co-op students become active members of the Canadian Armed Forces and receive their basic training at Fort York or Aurora Armoires. Students receive a salary, plus four high school credits and have the opportunity to enlist either full-time or stay on as a summer recruit in the Armed Forces.

Please visit Guidance or the Cooperative Education Department for more information.

 

If you are interested in partnering with the BHSS Co-op Department, call 905.910.0009 

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