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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 and work in apprenticeship careers starting in Grade 11 or Grade 12 through the cooperative education program.
Students can become registered apprentices and work towards becoming certified journeypersons in a skilled trade while completing their secondary school diplomas.
Visit OYAP website for more program information
OYAP participant → trying out the trade! A student in a co-op placement in the skilled trades.
OYAP registered apprentice → committing to the trade! A student with a signed Registered Training Agreement (RTA).
OYAP Level 1 accelerated → jumping ahead in the trade! A student accepted into the program and completes trade school in their final year of high school.

Who can participate?

Students must be at least 15 years of age (some workplaces have min age requirement of 16).
Students must have completed 14 credits.
Students must be working towards the completion of all OSSD requirements.

Benefits

To 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.
Hands-on learning experience and application of classroom theory to the workplace.
Increased awareness of workplace demands, skills, and needs.

To employers:

Increase awareness of your business to the community.
Assess and recruit 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:

Start Your Career in the Skilled Trades with OYAP video. Learn about TLDSB Level 1 Accelerated OYAP Program Information.
Employers can visit Ontario’s Hire an apprentice for more information.
Contact your school’s Guidance Department for more information.

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.

Schools Within a College (SWAC)

What is SWAC?

SWAC provides high school students the opportunity to complete their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and college courses in a collaborative learning community on a college campus.
Learning occurs on a college campus.
Secondary earn secondary school credits and two dual credits (college credits).

Who can participate?

Students who are entering their final semester of high school.
Students who are at least 17 years old and have 24 credits.
Students who are college capable and motivated to succeed and graduate!
Students who demonstrate consistent attendance.

Benefits

College learning environment and have access to all college supports, services, programs, and facilities.
A four-day week school schedule.
Help support a successful transition to college or apprenticeship programs.
Free college courses including all books, transportation, and other associated costs.
Smaller class sizes with the same teacher and a 4-day week school schedule.

For additional information

Contact your school’s Guidance Department for more information.

Contact us

If you have any questions, please contact your local school or fill in the Pathways Questions Form.

Follow us on social media:

Twitter: @TLDSB_Pathways
Facebook: @TLDSBPathways
Instagram: tldsb.pathways

#StartMeUp Mailing List

Are you interested in learning more about TLDSB pathways and programs, future skilled trades opportunities, events, and/or initiatives? If so, complete the #StartMeUp Mailing List Form to be put on our mailing list.

Programs

Secondary

Upcoming Pathway Events

On this page, jump to...

Cooperative Education

What is cooperative education?

Who can participate?

Benefits

For additional information:

Dual Credits

What are Dual Credit programs?

Who can participate?

Benefits

For additional information

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program

What is OYAP?

Who can participate?

Benefits

For additional information:

Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM)

What are SHSM programs?

Who can participate?

Benefits

For additional information

Schools Within a College (SWAC)

What is SWAC?

Who can participate?

Benefits

For additional information

Contact us

Follow us on social media:

#StartMeUp Mailing List

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