What is Co-operative Education:
Co-op is an experiential learning program that allows students to earn credits towards their diploma and gain valuable work experience at the same time. Co-op students at Ancaster High School have had work placements from many different areas of the workplace including the skilled trades, hospitals, elementary schools, day care facilities, senior citizen homes, recreation facilities, retail business, law firms, banks, and music studios.
Absentee Days Procedure
The student is to call both the Coop Teacher and the Placement Supervisor. Failure to do so may cost the student their placement.
Snow Days
On days when the schools are closed due to inclement weather, students are not to go to their Co-op placement for liability reasons and should inform their Placement Supervisor. On snow days where the school is open and the buses cancelled, the student may go to their placement at the discretion of the student and parents. If the decision is not to go, the Placement Supervisor and Coop Teacher should be notified.
What is OYAP
OYAP (Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program) combines the benefits of co-op and apprenticeship training. Students who are enrolled in a co-op placement in an area of “skilled trades” or where a career training path can be through apprenticeship may become registered apprentices while taking co-op. OYAP Accelerated Programs combine high school, work experience as an apprentice, and apprenticeship schooling from a college. Students who are part of an Accelerated OYAP Program receive these benefits:
- Complete part or all of their Level One apprenticeship schooling in a specific trade
- Earn hours toeards their apprenticeship training
- Earn high school credits
- Register as an apprentice
- In some cases, earn money while registered as an OYAP student
Learn more on OYAP and the Accelerated Programs available to our students.
Success through Co-op
Students at Ancaster High School have had success in obtaining jobs through their contacts/employers in co-op and some have signed their apprenticeship papers and are beginning their training because of their participation in Ancaster High School’s co-op program. A recent graduate of Ancaster High School and a co-op student in the area of woodworking, Mark (pictured below) has signed his apprenticeship papers. Co-op helps students succeed!
Specialized “System” School to Work Transition Programs
Some co-op programs are specific to schools, but there are some co-op programs which ANY student from the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board can apply to. These programs accept applications from the schools’ co-op teachers and from this base of students (from all school in the board), the most suitable applicants are accepted.These special programs include, the Healthcare Support Services program, the Lime Ridge Mall Community Co-op program, “Building Careers From the Ground Up” Residential Construction program, and the Army Reserve Co-op program.
Updated on Friday, March 20, 2020.